FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Jesus Makes Fishers of Men
July 20, 2025
AS WE GATHER: The Lord called fishermen to be fishers of men (Luke 5:1-11). The net they would use is the message of the cross, which is foolishness and a stumbling block to the world (1 Cor. 1:18-25). The power of God to save is not in spectacular signs like wind and fire and earthquakes (1 Kings 19:11-21), nor is it to be found in human intelligence and wisdom. The power of God to save comes in the still, small voice of the preaching of Christ crucified. In worldly darkness the disciples could catch nothing. But in the light of Christ, whose Word was attached to the water, the boats were filled with fish. So it is that in Baptism you have been drawn in to the ship of the Church. Though the nets are breaking and some who hear the Word do not believe, pastors continue to cast the net of the Gospel and the Sacraments, that Christians may abide in the boat of the Church and that we may be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:8-15).
THE GIFT OF FLOWERS TO THE GLORY OF GOD:
In Honor of their 51st Anniversary -
Al and Barb Gregersen
PARTICIPATING:
Worship Leader/Preacher Pastor Justin D. Kane
Organist Mrs. Kolleen Hosford
Worship Elder Mr. Alan Kleinendorst
Lay Reader Mrs. Barb Gregersen
Greeters Steve and Jan Miller
Door Greeter Brian Williams
Take a moment to notice the * at the beginning of various portions of the order of service. The * indicates the place where it is inappropriate to enter or leave the sanctuary because it marks a time of prayer or respect for the Word of the Lord. Please be considerate of others around you by honoring these notations.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Matins
Organ Prelude
Announcements
Opening Hymn LSB 869
*CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION:
Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Pastor: 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.
Pastor: Our help is in the name of the Lord,
People: who made heaven and earth.
Pastor: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the
Lord.
People: and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Pastor: O almighty God, merciful Father,
People: 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.
Pastor: 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 Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
“O Lord, open my lips…” LSB 219
PSALMODY
Venite: LSB 220ff
READINGS
Old Testament:1 Kings 19:11-21 Pew Bible Page 559
Epistle: 1 Peter 3:8-15 Pew Bible Page 1890
*Holy Gospel: Luke 5:1-11 Pew Bible Page 1597
*Common Responsory LSB 221
Office Hymn: LSB 688 “”Come, Follow Me,” the Savior Spake
Sermon
Offertory LSB 687
“Thine Forever,”
*Te Deum LSB 223
PRAYER
*Kyrie: LSB 227
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 227
*Prayer of the Church
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Lord God of hosts, as You comforted Elijah by the quiet whisper, reminding him of the remnant of the faithful in Israel, so comfort us by the bold proclamation of Your Gospel. Uplift the depressed, strengthen the frail, give hope to those who feel alone and save us from violence. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of hosts, since Your foolishness is wiser than men’s wisdom and Your weakness stronger than men’s strength, give all preachers and hearers delight in the folly of Christ crucified, in which the fullness of divine power and wisdom are hidden. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of hosts, You give us life in Christ. Grant that, having been strengthened by Your gifts, we may all gladly tell others of the hope that we have in You. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of hosts, give us faith to let down the nets of Your Word in our daily vocations and trust Your Son to do His gracious work through poor sinners like us. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of hosts, Your Son endured the cross for our sakes and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Be with the young people of the LCMS as they gather in New Orleans this week. Fix their eyes on Jesus and strengthen them with hope and confidence to endure all trials and challenges as His disciples. Bless those who work and serve them, especially their parents. Give them a safe homecoming, and fill our homes with the forgiveness of sins in Jesus’ name. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Lord God of hosts, You are our light and our salvation. Hide in Your shelter all who suffer in body, mind or soul. Keep them in their day of trouble from falling into faithless fear, and uphold them with Your peace in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, never depart from us. Though we are unworthy of You and Your bounty, You are pleased to receive our meager thanks and reluctant obedience for the sake of Christ’s perfect obedience. Let Your Word rule us and Your Spirit revive us to leave behind pride and anxiety alike, that we may follow You in all we do; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the same Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: O God,
People: You have prepared for those who love You good things that surpass all understanding. Pour into our hearts such love toward You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
*Collect for Grace: LSB 228
*Benedicamus/Benediction: LSB 228
Closing Hymn: LSB 877 “God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven”
FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705