Join us at 11:00 AM as we celebrate the Third Sunday after Pentecost. During this season of the Church Year—called Ordinary Time—we turn our attention to growth in the Gospel through the teachings of Scripture, with special focus on the day’s Gospel reading and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
First Reading: Exodus 19:2-8a
After escaping Egyptian oppression, the Israelites camp at Mount Sinai, where God reveals His intention for them. Calling them the “house of Jacob,” a name that recalls Jacob’s scandalous yet divinely upheld rise to blessing, God designates Israel — though not a great nation — to stand uniquely among the nations as a “priestly kingdom and holy nation.” Though the full shape of this vocation remains unrevealed, the people unanimously pledge obedience.
Psalm: Psalm 100
The psalm portrays the joyful response of those who receive the Lord’s blessing: a life overflowing with glad praise and confident acclamations of God’s enduring goodness and steadfast love. This gratitude naturally expresses itself in glad service and a steady commitment to obedience to the One who shepherds His people.
Second Reading: Romans 5:1-8
Having established that we are justified by grace through faith apart from works of the law, Paul unfolds the benefits of this justification. It brings “peace with God”—a restored relationship between the holy God and sinful humanity—and grounds our confident boasting in God and in the glory we are destined to share. Yet this reconciliation does not remove suffering; instead, even affliction becomes a cause for “boasting” because it unites us with Christ’s own suffering and produces endurance, character, and hope through the Holy Spirit given to us. God proves His love precisely by sending Christ to die for us while we were weak, ungodly sinners—an act of self‑giving far beyond ordinary human love.
Gospel: Matthew 9:35-10:23
Seeing the crowds “harassed and helpless,” vulnerable to sin and the evil one, Jesus recognizes their deep need for a shepherd. He knows this mission of mercy will not be accomplished by him alone but through the “sending of his disciples” to extend his outreach. Their only essential equipment is “the good news”—the forgiveness of sins and the promise of resurrection life grounded in Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet Jesus warns them that this mission will be dangerous: they will be like sheep among wolves, and their message will provoke division even within families and before civic and religious authorities. Still, those who “endure [in faith] to the end will be saved.”
Gathering Hymn: ELW No. 883 – All People That on Earth Do Dwell “A Mighty Fortress” is always associated with Martin Luther so “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” will always be associated with John Calvin’s Presbyterian/Reformed Churches. The tune OLD HUNDREDTH was written by French Composer, Louis Boúgeois who lived in the early 1500’s and was a great admirer of John Calvin.
Hymn of the Day--ELW No. 579 – Lord, You Give the Great Commission Sending Hymn
ELW No. 669 – Rise Up, O Saints of God!
Organ Voluntaries will include three compositions on the tune OLD HUNDREDTH; A Prelude by Lani Smith, a set of Variations by P.J. Janson and a festive Postlude by Fred Bock. There will also be a short Gigue by Georg Philipp Telemann.
6905 W Bluemound Road, Wauwatosa WI 53213