Please click on the link below to view the service bulletin for Sunday, August 24, 2025.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TqGzbP0tuxKSZCMFyVf5ugS6r7YN0DC5797_Yx2IxWo/edit?usp=sharing

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

God’s Word

Isaiah 66:18-23 “They shall declare My glory among the nations.”

Psalm 50:1-15 “The world and its fullness are Mine.”

Hebrews 12:4-24 “You have come to . . . the heavenly Jerusalem.”

Luke 13:22-30 “People will come from east and west . . . and recline at the table in the kingdom of God.”

Collect of the Day

O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

Theme

When you think about it, it is a silly question: “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” (Luke 13:23). Why do you think you need to know that anyway? Maybe such a person is worried for others—for their family, for their children. Or maybe they are looking for a loophole for themselves. Of course, our Lord sets us straight by turning the question back so that we ask, “Am I going to be saved?” To answer that question, we almost automatically fall into the temptation to believe that the answer has to do with the sufficiency of our own merits or good works. The “narrow door” and Jesus’ requirement to “strive to enter” seem to suggest some evidence of effort on our part. The surprise, however, is that there is no effort required; one only receives the work, the merit, the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In Holy Baptism, you receive that new status of “child of God,” bearing the righteousness of Christ. The striving and effort are but the daily dying and rising by repentance and faith by the power of your Baptism. The strength to persevere is nourished by the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. Keep entering through the open door, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

                                       

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Martin Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.