The Fourth Sunday after Trinity
The Sunday of the Good Measure
“The Discipleship Preserved and Perfected by the Spirit”

“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Luke  6:36a

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity
5 July AD 2020

Welcome in Jesus’ name to our guests this holy day. We pray God’s richest blessings to you as we hear His Word and receive His gifts. If you’re visiting for the first time, please sign our guestbook in the narthex.

Worship at St. Paul’s is conducted according to the historic, liturgical worship patterns of the Christian Church throughout the ages. The rhythm of worship is from our God to us, and then from us back to Him. He gives His gifts, and together we receive and extol them.

The Lord’s Supper is offered every Sunday at both services.  St. Paul’s observes the practice of close communion. Members of sister congregations of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod are encouraged to commune with us. We ask visitors who are not members of the LC-MS to speak with one of our pastors if you are interested in learning more about our church and communion practices.

Whitsuntide (5 weeks) “The Basis of the Christian Life:  Work of the Holy Spirit.”
Christ’s Mercy Is Ours to Show to Others
“Be merciful, even as your Father also is merciful” (Luke 6:36–42). The old Adam in us wants to condemn and seek vengeance. But the Lord says, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Rom. 12:14–21). To condemn, to avenge yourself, is to put yourself in the place of God. It is to fail to trust that He is just. Ultimately, it is to disbelieve that Jesus suffered the full vengeance for all wrongs. Only Christ is merciful as the Father is merciful. He is the one who overcame all evil with the good of His cross, forgiving even His executioners. Jesus is our Joseph, who comforts us with words of pardon and reconciliation (Gen. 50:15–21). He is the One who does not condemn but gives life that runs over. Only through faith in Christ are we sons of the Father—being merciful, forgiving, doing good to our enemies. For in Christ we know that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:8–13).

Service Notes: Kantor for the 8:00 service is Kent Seetin. Timothy Johnson will be playing distribution music for the 8:00 service. The Sherrill Family Kantorei is singing for the 10:45 service. 

Prayer:  O Lord, our God, as we come before You to worship You in spirit and truth, we ask You to open our hearts to the ministry of Your Word. Lead us to truly repent of our sins, believe in Jesus Christ as our only Savior, and grow in grace and holiness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.         

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Divine Service
Setting Three

Prelude: Partita on O GOTT, DU FROMMER GOTT: 1646 (Text: LSB # 696 "O God, My Faithful God")……………………………………….……………………..Wilbur Held

504 Father Most Holy	 LSB 504

Public domain

Confession and Absolution

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

P	In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C	Amen.
P	Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
P	Our help is in the name of the Lord,
C	who made heaven and earth.
P	I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
C	and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination.

P	O almighty God, merciful Father,
C	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 sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
P	Upon this your confession, I, 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C	Amen.

Service of the Word
Introit	Ps. 27:3– 4a, 5; antiphon: Ps. 27:1–2
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom | shall I fear?*
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I | be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat | up my flesh,*
my adversaries and foes, it is they who stum- | ble and fall.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart | shall not fear;*
though war arise against me, yet I will be | confident.
One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek | after:*
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days | of my life.
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of | trouble;*
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high up- | on a rock.
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom | shall I fear?*
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I | be afraid?
When evildoers assail me to eat | up my flesh,*
my adversaries and foes, it is they who stum- | ble and fall.

Kyrie	 LSB 186
C	Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Gloria in Excelsis	 LSB 187
P	Glory be to God on High,
C	and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.
We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee.
we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory.
O Lord God, heav'nly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ;
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer.
Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For Thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord.
Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

Salutation and Collect of the Day	
P	The Lord be with you.
C	And with thy spirit.
P	Let us pray.
O Lord, grant that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by Your governance that Your Church may joyfully serve You in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C	Amen.

Old Testament Reading	 Genesis 50:15–21
15When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” 16So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died, 17‘Say to Joseph, Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
 
A	This is the Word of the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

8:00 a.m. Gradual: (Kantor)
"Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word We are gather all to hear Thee;
Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear Thee,
By Thy teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love thee solely

Glorious Lord, Thyself impart, Light of Light, from God Proceeding;
Open Thou our ears and heart, Help us by Thy Spirit's pleading;
Hear the cry Thy people raises, Hear and bless our prayers and praises. 

10:45 a.m. Gradual (Kantorei) “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It”……………………………………………………………………………….…LSB #594

Epistle	 Epistle
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 
 
A	This is the Word of the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Alleluia and Verse
(Kantor/Kantorei)
Alleluia. You have sat on the throne, giving righteous judgment. The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Alleluia.

Holy Gospel	 Luke 6:36–42
P	The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the sixth chapter.
C	Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
 
36Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
37“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
39He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
 
P	This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C	Praise be to Thee, O Christ.

Nicene Creed	
C	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 with 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 ascended 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 is worshiped and glorified,
     who spoke by the prophets.
     And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
     I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
     and I look for the resurrection of the dead
     and the life T of the world to come. Amen.

696 O God, My Faithful God (Kantor/Kantorei verse 2)	 LSB 696

5	Let me depart this life
    Confiding in my Savior;
By grace receive my soul
    That it may live forever;
And let my body have
    A quiet resting place
Within a Christian grave;
    And let it sleep in peace.

6	And on that final day
    When all the dead are waking,
Stretch out Your mighty hand,
    My deathly slumber breaking.
Then let me hear Your voice,
    Redeem this earthly frame,
And bid me to rejoice
    With those who love Your name.

Public domain

Sermon "We forgive as we have been forgiven” ~ Genesis 50:15-21

Offertory	 LSB 192
C	Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with Thy free spirit.  Amen.

Offering
Prayer of the Church
Service of the Sacrament
Preface	 LSB 194
P	The Lord be with you.
C	And with thy spirit.
P	Lift up your hearts.
C	We lift them up unto the Lord.
P	Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.
C	It is meet and right so to do.
P	It is truly meet, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in 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 opened 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, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus	 LSB 195
C	Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
heav'n and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He, blessed is He, blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

Lord's Prayer	 LSB 196
P	Our Father who art in heaven,
     hallowed be 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.
C	For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.  Amen.

The Words of Our Lord	 LSB 197

Agnus Dei	 LSB 198
C	O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Christ, Thou Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us Thy peace.  Amen.

843 "Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive"	 LSB 843

© Oxford University Press. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, no. 100010969.
Public domain

544 O Love, How Deep	 LSB 544

6	For us He rose from death again;
For us He went on high to reign;
For us He sent His Spirit here
To guide, to strengthen, and to cheer.

7	All glory to our Lord and God
For love so deep, so high, so broad;
The Trinity whom we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Public domain

Nunc Dimittis	 LSB 199
C	Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace according to Thy word,
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Thanksgiving	 LSB 200
A	O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good,
C	and His mercy endureth forever.
A	Let us pray.
We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C	Amen.

Salutation and Benedicamus
P	The Lord be with you.
C	And with thy spirit.
A	Bless we the Lord.
C	Thanks be to God.

Benediction	 LSB 202
P	The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and T give you peace.
C	Amen, amen, amen.

852 O God of Mercy, God of Might	 LSB 852

5	In sickness, sorrow, want, or care,
May we each other’s burdens share;
May we, where help is needed, there
    Give help as unto Thee!

6	And may Thy Holy Spirit move
All those who live to live in love
Till Thou shalt greet in heav’n above
    All those who live in Thee.

Public domain

Postlude: Toccata in F-Major……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………Charles Maire Widor

Acknowledgments
Divine Service, Setting Three from Lutheran Service Book
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

In our prayers we remember: Derek Stephenson, Chris Rochleau, Janice Damon, Carol Brockmann, Mary Ann Wege, Elizabeth Bowerman, Ashley Mohling, Greg Rummel (friend of Pastor Sherrill), Allen Timm, Jean Volkens, Bill Storey, Helen Nelson, Gertrud Rossbund, Brad White, Don Calkins, Earl Rollins (father of Mike Rollins), Larry Skinner (Jean Volkens brother), Susan Wurdeman (Dan Wurdeman’s mother), Cindy Goodin, Elaine Goodwin (Pastor Tews & Karen Burns sister), Donny Kadereit (Don & Marsha Kadereit’s son), Kenny Jensby (Tina Sherrill’s grandfather), Megan Gallup; 

Pat Montgomery and all other St. Paul’s Shut-Ins; 
Rev. Michael Petri and the congregation of Timothy Lutheran Church, Council Bluffs;

Those serving in the armed forces...Claire Burgdorf, Dustin Bathen, grandson of Virg & Jan Steenbock, David Letcher, Charles Bowerman, Nathan Moeller -members of St. Paul’s, Andrew Cohrs, (husband of Lauren Hardick Cohrs), Justin Carlton, husband of Kathryn Charlton, granddaughter of Bill Johannes, Matthew Bandomer, grandson of Art & Mabel Bandomer, Joey Greiner, nephew of Joni Doiron, Matthew James Harris, nephew of Mark & Erika Harris, Joseph Finch, (son of Bob & Dianna Finch), Jared Naja (nephew of Laura Goodwin).

Those celebrating a wedding anniversary this week: Dan & Blanch Schultz, Virg & Jan Steenbock, Corey & Lisa Shelton.

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News and Notes

Please note that we need to continue to apply responsible distancing measures.

The offering will be placed in the narthex of the church.  You can place your offering on your way out.    

Communion will be offered at the altar rail.  Please follow the direction of the ushers keeping appropriate distance between you and the person in front of you. We will follow a continuous line for the Lord’s Supper. 

After the service has ended, the ushers will excuse congregants pew by pew beginning from the front.  If you are staying for bible class, please keep responsible distancing practices in mind being considerate of those who are especially cautious at this time.  

 Please join us for Bible Study each Sunday morning between services in the sanctuary. We are currently following a study called, “God vs. Man: A Survey of Acts.” This study introduces students to religious freedom themes in the Book of Acts as well as founding documents of the U.S., including the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Join us today for a special emphasis in celebration of Independence Day.  Special thanks to Deb Mohling for providing Sunday School packets to our Pk-6th grade students to accomplish at home. 
 Communion will be offered by appointment during the week.

If you would like to order flowers for the altar in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion, please call the church office (322-4729) Cost: $42.50.      

Pantry Items needed for SPLECC: Paper napkins, small paper plates, plastic spoons, plastic forks, baby wipes, Graham crackers, Goldfish, Animal crackers, Nilla wafers, Cheerios (not honey nut), pretzels, Ritz crackers, Wheat Thins, raisins, individual apple sauce packs, individual pudding snack packs. Please bring your items to church and we will make sure they get delivered to SPLECC. Thank you.   

Everyone is invited to an Open House in 
Honor and in Celebration of 
Anna Raymond’s High School Graduation
Saturday, July 18th ~ 3:00 p.m. - ?
at the home of Andy and Jo Raymond
24037 295th St. Crescent, Iowa

Rosemary will be out of the office July 2 – 6.

Opportunities for Growth:  July 5 – 12, 2020

Sunday: 7/5/20
	8:00 a.m. – Worship – C
	9:30 a.m. – Voters Meeting (Sanctuary)	
	9:30 a.m. ~ Bible Study
	10;45 a.m. – Worship - C
Tuesday: 7/6/20
	11:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting
Sunday: 7/12/20
    	8:00 a.m.  Worship - C
	9:30am ~ Bible Study
10:45 a.m. ~ Worship – C

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                                St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
St. Paul’s Lutheran Early Childhood Center
St. Paul’s Music Conservatory
Two Locations         
One Word
                        The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod / www.stpaulscouncilbluffs.org                                                                                                                                                                               

Church                                                                                                               School
239 Frank St.                                                                                                         1500 N. 16th St.
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503                                                                             Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501
712-322-4729					                                                                712-322-3294
Pastor – Nathan Sherrill                                                 	                                 Director – Lisa Preston      
Cell: 712-310-4248			                      	                                             director.stpauls@gmail.com   
nathansherrill1978@gmail.com
Associate Pastor – Timothy Frank
Cell: 712-269-3683
pastorfrank239@gmail.com
Director of Music /Head Organist                                                                                                
 Dr. J Gordon Christensen                                                                                                                            
Home – 352-0298                                                                                                                                   
drjgordonchristensen@gmail.com
Secretary – Rosemary Paul		                                                                     Secretary – Heidi Bernhards
rosemarypaul57@gmail.com	                                                                                   hb.stpauls@gmail.com                                   
Church Office Hours: 				              	                                           School Office Hours:
Monday – Friday ~ 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.                                                                 Monday – Friday ~ 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.