Christ Lutheran Church-LCMS

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

+SERVICE OF THE WORD+
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18A)
Sept. 6, 2026

OLD TESTAMENT
Ezekiel 33:7–9

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”

EPISTLE
Romans 13:1–10

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

GOSPEL
Matthew 18:1–20

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. For the Son of Man came to save the lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

09/06/2026

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18A)
Sep. 6, 2026

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the Church, that by our warning and witness sinners may come to repentance with faith, and so enjoy the forgiveness of their sins, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all Christians, that they may be steadfast and immovable in God’s truth, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all little ones, that they may be kept from sin and that their pastors, parents and teachers would teach them to trust in Christ’s forgiveness, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who bear the sword, that they may bear it as God’s servants; and that under their peaceable governance Christ’s holy people may be guarded and directed in righteousness, quietness and unity, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the ill, grieving and lonely, that they may remember that the Good Shepherd, who loves them, seeks and saves the one lost sheep, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For childlike faith as we receive Christ’s body and blood, that it may strengthen us in faith toward God and in fervent love toward one another, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

O almighty God, we confess that we are poor sinners and could not give an answer if You should contend with us. Yet do we thank You with all our hearts that You have taken our guilt from us and laid it upon Your dear Son, Jesus Christ, who has atoned for it. Graciously sustain us in this faith. Govern us by Your Holy Spirit, that we may live according to Your will in love and service to our neighbors. Do not let us give way to wrath or revenge, and so incur Your wrath, but let us always find in You a gracious Father; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

09/06/2026

HYMN OF THE DAY
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 18A)
Sept. 6, 2026

"My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker" (LSB 820)

1. My soul, now praise your Maker!
Let all within me bless His name
Who makes you full partaker
Of mercies more than you dare claim.
Forget Him not whose meekness
Still bears with all your sin,
Who heals your ev’ry weakness,
Renews your life within;
Whose grace and care are endless
And saved you through the past;
Who leaves no suff’rer friendless
But rights the wronged at last.

2. He offers all His treasure
Of justice, truth, and righteousness,
His love beyond all measure,
His yearning pity o’er distress;
Nor treats us as we merit
But sets His anger by.
The poor and contrite spirit
Finds His compassion nigh;
And high as heav’n above us,
As dawn from close of day,
So far, since He has loved us,
He puts our sins away.

3. For as a tender father
Has pity on his children here,
God in His arms will gather
All who are His in childlike fear.
He knows how frail our powers,
Who but from dust are made.
We flourish like the flowers,
And even so we fade;
The wind but through them passes,
And all their bloom is o’er.
We wither like the grasses;
Our place knows us no more.

4. His grace remains forever,
And children’s children yet shall prove
That God forsakes them never
Who in true fear shall seek His love.
In heav’n is fixed His dwelling,
His rule is over all;
O hosts with might excelling,
With praise before Him fall.
Praise Him forever reigning,
All you who hear His Word—
Our life and all sustaining.
My soul, O praise the Lord!

09/05/2026

Brothers and sisters in Christ,
The link to the bulletin for Christ Lutheran Church for Sunday, September 6th (Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost) is posted in the comments below. We hope you can join us!
Sunday service is live-streamed on Facebook (10:30am) and our sermon (also Scripture Readings, Lord's Prayer and Benediction) is broadcast on KHBR 1560AM on Sunday morning from 10:05am until 10:25am.
The peace, love and joy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you always!
Pastor Nemec

08/30/2026

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost 083026

08/30/2026

+SERVICE OF THE WORD+
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17A)
Aug. 30, 2026

OLD TESTAMENT
Jeremiah 15:15–21

O Lord, you know;
remember me and visit me,
and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance take me not away;
know that for your sake I bear reproach.
Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
I did not sit in the company of revelers,
nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone, because your hand was upon me,
for you had filled me with indignation.
Why is my pain unceasing,
my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Will you be to me like a deceitful brook,
like waters that fail?
Therefore thus says the Lord:
“If you return, I will restore you,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall be as my mouth.
They shall turn to you,
but you shall not turn to them.
And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
declares the Lord.
I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.”

EPISTLE
Romans 12:9–21

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

GOSPEL
Matthew 16:21–28

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

08/30/2026

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17A)
Aug. 30, 2026

In peace, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

That we would place all vengeance in the hands of God, who is ever righteous and faithful, and who will always carry out justice and deliver His people out of the hand of the wicked, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all pastors and missionaries, that they might say with Jeremiah, “Hear the Word of the Lord,” and faithfully proclaim that Word to us, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the households of this congregation, that all may live in love that issues from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who make, execute and judge our laws, that their eyes may be turned toward the Lord; and that they would receive wisdom and strength to faithfully carry out their duties, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For the sick and suffering, that they might have relief from pain and the courage to endure whatever crosses and tribulations the Lord chooses to lay upon them, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For all who receive the Supper today, that they may faithfully receive it for the forgiveness of sins and be sustained until Christ returns in glory, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

For those persecuted for the name of Christ, that in communion with all the saints we may bear our crosses faithfully, let us pray to the Lord: Lord, have mercy.

All these things and whatever else You know that we need, grant us, Father, for the sake of Him who died and rose again and now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.

08/30/2026

HYMN OF THE DAY
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17A)
Aug. 30, 2026

"Hail, Thou Once Despised Jesus" (LSB 531)

1. Hail, Thou once despised Jesus!
Hail, Thou Galilean King!
Thou didst suffer to release us;
Thou didst free salvation bring.
Hail, Thou universal Savior,
Bearer of our sin and shame!
By Thy merit we find favor:
Life is given through Thy name.

2. Paschal Lamb, by God appointed,
All our sins on Thee were laid;
By almighty love anointed,
Thou hast full atonement made.
All Thy people are forgiven
Through the virtue of Thy blood;
Opened is the gate of heaven,
Reconciled are we with God.

3. Jesus, hail! Enthroned in glory,
There forever to abide;
All the heav’nly hosts adore Thee,
Seated at Thy Father’s side.
There for sinners Thou art pleading;
There Thou dost our place prepare,
Ever for us interceding
Till in glory we appear.

4. Worship, honor, pow’r, and blessing
Thou art worthy to receive;
Highest praises, without ceasing,
Right it is for us to give.
Help, ye bright angelic spirits,
All your noblest anthems raise;
Help to sing our Savior’s merits,
Help to chant Immanuel’s praise!