Good morning and welcome to the broadcast of the Divine Service at Zion Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.
To help you follow along, the Order of Worship for today's service is available under the radio tab on our website, ZionLCMSCF.org.
The Lord bless you today through the hearing of His word.
service begin what they're opening him 869 with the Lord begin nine tasks.
you
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near with the true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord.
Oh, Almighty God, merciful Father, 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, suffering, and death of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, the poor, sinful being.
Upon this, your confession, and 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 Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Turn to the yellow insert and sing together the intro.
you.
Yeah.
Let us pray.
Oh,
Lord, we implore you that your continual pity cleanse and defend your church.
And because she cannot continue in safety without your aid, preserve her ever more by your help and goodness through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.
The Old Testament reading is from 1 Kings chapter 17.
Then the word of the Lord came to him.
Arise, go to Zeraphat, which belongs to Sidon and dwell there.
Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.
So he arose and went to Zeraphat.
And when he came to the gate of the city, behold a widow was there gathering sticks.
And he called to her and said, bring me a little water and a vessel that I may drink.
And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.
And she said, as the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour and a jar and a little oil and a jug.
And now I'm gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.
And Elijah said to her, do not fear.
Go and do as you have said, but first,
Make me a little cake of it and bring it to me.
And afterward, make something for yourself and your son.
For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel.
The jar of flour shall not be spent and the jug of oil shall not be empty.
Until that day, the Lord sends rain upon the earth.
And she went and did as Elijah said.
And she and he and her household ate for many days.
The jar of flour was not spent.
Neither did the jug of oil become empty.
according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be
to God.
We turn to the yellow insert and sing together the gradual.
The
epistle is from Galatians chapters five and six.
If we live by the spirit, let us also walk by the spirit, but it's not become conceited, provoking one another and being one another brothers.
If anyone is caught in any transgression,
You who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted, bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone, and not in his neighbor, for each will have to bear his own load.
One who was taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches.
Do not be deceived.
God is not mocked for whatever one sows that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption.
But the one who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life.
And let us not grow weary of doing good.
For in due season we will reap if we do not give up.
So then,
As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
This is the word of the Lord.
the Holy Gospel according to St.
Matthew, the sixth chapter.
Jesus said, no one can serve two masters for either what 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.
Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life.
What you will eat or what you will drink or about your body, what you will put on is not life more than food and the body more than clothing.
Look at the birds of the air.
They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns.
And yet your heavenly father feeds them.
For you're not of more value than they.
And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to a span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field.
How they grow, they neither toil nor spin.
And I tell you, even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so close the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more close you, O you of little faith?
Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or what shall we wear?
The Gentiles seek after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Together we confess our faith as written in the words of the Nicene Creed.
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, light of light, very God of very God.
Begotten, not made, being of one substance that the Father, by whom all things were made, who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day he rose again, according to the scriptures, and descended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
who with the Father and the Son together was worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian, an apostolic church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus says, do not be anxious about your life.
The world tells you many reasons why you should be anxious about your life.
And today there are many modes and mediums to deliver these messages.
We have access to these images and accounts of worldwide calamities and acts of war.
Please tell us that even the terrorist attacks.
In our country, 25 years ago, could happen again.
The world is full of evil, death, and destruction, or daily occurrences.
And Jesus says, do not be anxious about your life.
Political campaigns ramping up or telling you the bad things are going to happen if the wrong person is elected and they're hoping that the fear and the worry will motivate you to vote for their candidate.
Jesus says, do not be anxious about your life.
Social media uses fear and worry to motivate you to spend time on their site or support their cause or buy their product and the algorithms have been developed to cultivate and capitalize on your fear and worry.
People spend so much time seeing what other people are doing and finding out what's going on in and around the world that fear of missing out has become a common problem.
Jesus says, do not be anxious about your life.
Jesus wants you to know peace in him.
Jesus' message this morning is part of his Sermon on the Mount.
Jesus said, no one can serve two masters.
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.
Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat.
or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.
It's not life more than food, and the body more than clothing.
There is only one God, Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier, that we fear, love, and trust in Him above all things.
The word money used in this translation is actually a broader term, so it's not limited to just
Finances it includes all the stuff the money can buy and Money and all the stuff the money can buy these all come from God And yet you're not to be ruled by these things Not to worry about having enough of it or not to worry about losing it God knows exactly what you need and he is taking care of you You and your life are of great
value to him.
Those do not be anxious about your life.
Look what God is doing.
Your heavenly father.
Look at the birds of the air.
They neither sow nor reap nor gather into bars and yet your heavenly father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?
Of course you are.
And you can observe.
and take heart in the realization that God is taking care of the needs of his creatures.
And knowing that you, who have been made in the very image of God, are much more valued than the birds of the air, can be assured that he is taking care of you.
And to worry is not only sinful, but it's pointless, as he says.
And which of you, by being anxious, can add a single hour to a span of life?
And why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you even Solomon and all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
But if God so closed the grass of the field, which today is alive, tomorrow's thrown in the oven, not much more cloth you owe you of little faith.
Being Solomon,
renowned great king known for all of his grandeur were the finest of clothing but these man-made garments they don't compare to the beauty of the lily arrayed by God Yet the
lily
that God made so beautiful Tier today and thrown into the oven tomorrow Do not be anxious about your life God loves you and he is caring for you
God has assured you of his love by baptizing you, rescued you from death and from the devil.
He's brought you into his eternal kingdom, into his family.
You need not worry about evil.
Remove your sins through the atoning sacrifice of his son.
You need not worry about sin.
He's joined you to Christ and His death and resurrection.
You need not worry about death or eternal life.
Washed you in Christ's blood and covered you with His righteousness.
You need not worry about what to wear.
God gave a son for you.
You need not doubt His love.
And Christ has made you a joint heir of His kingdom.
He's gone ahead to prepare a place for you.
You need not worry about your future.
A little earlier in his sermon, Jesus taught us how to pray.
The prayer he taught us is effective in fighting off fear and anxiety.
As we know from Luther's small catechism in this prayer, God tenderly invites us to believe that he is our true Father and we're his true children.
So that with all boldness and confidence, we may ask him as dear children, ask their father.
And so we pray the petitions as Christ has taught us, including that I will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Knowing that he breaks and enters every evil plan, the purpose of the devil, the world and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hello God's name or let his kingdom come.
That he strengthens and keeps us firm in his word and faith until we die.
We pray, give us this day our daily bread, knowing that he certainly gives bread to everyone without our prayers, even to evil people.
But we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.
God wants you to realize that he provides you with your daily bread and to receive it with thanksgiving.
Take time each day to consider all that God
has given you, has done for you, is doing for you.
Consider all the good around you and in your life.
It's all from God, and it's all undeserved.
So we receive these things, our daily bread with thanksgiving to God.
Atticism says daily bread includes everything that has to do with support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing.
Choose house, home, land, animals, money, goods, devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self-control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.
It goes on and on.
All that God does for you, out of love for you.
And one practical benefit of realizing that these good gifts come from God and receiving them with thanksgiving is that that neutralizes worry.
When you know God provides for all you need, you don't worry.
When you're giving him thanks, you're not worrying.
We read in Philippians, rejoice in the Lord always.
Again, I will say rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
In the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Christ Jesus has overcome all things that attack you and threaten you, and he is at hand for you.
He says, do not be anxious about your life.
He also says, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
Jesus invites you to go to the places where he's reigning as king, his kingdom, to receive his gifts of forgiveness and righteousness.
Learn his truth and to respond to his call.
So Jesus invites you to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness here in the divine service.
There we gather as a community of believers, brothers and sisters in Christ, joined into Christ and in Christ for one another, joined in holy baptism to hear God's word and receive the Lord's supper.
This is where God's saving righteousness is found.
Hear God is at work forgiving.
Making things right.
Here we are invited to orient our lives and be free of worry over life's other needs.
The Father will supply those needs as well.
And then free of your own worries, you're free to attend the needs of the people that God has put into your life.
You're free to do good for them with all that God has given you.
Amen.
May the peace that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
Please stand.
and for all people, according to their needs.
Heavenly Father, you see how this world, its money, its clothing, and its possessions tempt us to worry and doubt, yet you know all our needs of body and soul and promise to care for us.
Call us by your gospel to entrust everything into your sure hands.
Lord, in your mercy, O Lord, you have poured out your spirit on your church that the gospel of your kingdom would be believed throughout the world.
Bless the proclamation of your word by the pastors and missionaries you have sent that many would hear and believe.
Lord, in your mercy.
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the institution of holy marriage and the myriad blessings of family.
Grant that these gifts would be cherished and honored in our society and especially in the church.
Lord, in your mercy.
Heavenly King.
You provide for all our needs of body and soul.
Grant us good government and faithful rulers while reminding us always that all provision comes from you.
Lord, in your mercy.
Hear our prayer.
Merciful Father, according to your will, give power to the faint and increase the strength of the sick and afflicted, especially Vicki, Lynn, Anita, Lois, Lewis, Marles, Tim, Greg, Grant, Doris.
Matthew, Megan, Melissa, Mark, Ethel, Dave, Peter, Fred, Harold, Joan, Jaden, Rick, Anna, Thorfinn, Lacey, Marilyn, Marlene, George, Anne, Dawn, and Florence.
Lord in your mercy.
Increase our faith, O Lord, and grant that all who come to your supper may come in repentance, seeking your forgiveness and in unity of a true confession.
Lord in your mercy.
Father in heaven, you sustained Elijah and your saints of old through will and woe, plenty and scarcity.
Inspire us in the light of their faith to walk through all circumstances until we join them at your unending banquet.
Lord in your mercy.
And giving God your all sufficient generosity will provide every need and time and eternity.
Increase our faith.
Still our anxious hearts.
Call us to share the blessings of this world in view of your promises in the world to come.
Lord, in your mercy.
We know that these petitions are pleasing to you, Heavenly Father, and that you hear them for the sake of Christ Jesus, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
One God now and forever.
The grace of Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you
all.
Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
It is indeed and Christ's all to do.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times, that at all places give thanks to you, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave.
and by his glorious resurrection, open to us the way of everlasting life.
Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, ever more praising you and saying.
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.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread.
And when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, take, eat.
This is my body, which is given for you.
This do in remembrance of me.
in the same way also he took the cup after supper and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying drink of it all of you this cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins this do as often as you drink it and remember it's of me
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
and will bring me lasting pleasure.
you
you
Thank you for tuning in to the Divine Service at Zion Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls.
May the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
If you have any prayer requests, please let us know.
You may call us at 715-723-6380 or stop by and visit 110 East Grand Avenue in Chippewa Falls.
If you're looking for a church home, we'll gladly tell you more about Zion or help you find a congregation near you.
These broadcasts are paid for by generous gifts made to our radio fund.
If you'd like to contribute, click the Give tab on our website, ZionLCMSCF.org, or send a check to Zion Lutheran Church Radio Fund, 110 East Grand Avenue, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, 54729.
Zion is a member of the Lutheran Church misery center.