September 1, 2024 | FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
We Are Cleansed and Sustained by the Word of God Wickedness and evil come “from within, out of the heart,” and that is what defiles a person (Mark 7:21–23). Hence, we cannot save ourselves, because we are sinful and unclean from the inside out. But as the Lord Jesus “declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19), so He cleanses us by His Word, the preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, “listen to the statutes and the rules” of the Lord, “and do them, that you may live” (Deut. 4:1). For His Word is righteous, and to live according to it is…
PINNACLE LUTHERAN CHURCH | “What Defiles our Hearts?”

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OPENING HYMN: #566 By Grace I’m Saved vs 1&2
HYMN OF THE DAY: #566 By Grace I’m Saved vs 3&4  
CLOSING HYMN: #849 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness

PINNACLE LUTHERAN CHURCH
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
“What Defiles our Hearts?”
September 1, 2024

+ AS WE GATHER +

We Are Cleansed and Sustained by the Word of God

Wickedness and evil come “from within, out of the heart,” and that is what defiles a person (Mark 7:21–23). Hence, we cannot save ourselves, because we are sinful and unclean from the inside out. But as the Lord Jesus “declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19), so He cleanses us by His Word, the preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, “listen to the statutes and the rules” of the Lord, “and do them, that you may live” (Deut. 4:1). For His Word is righteous, and to live according to it is “your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples” (Deut. 4:6). Cling to His Word, and also teach it “to your children and your children’s children” (Deut. 4:9). Put on this “armor of God” by hearing and heeding what He speaks to you, that you may “stand firm” in the evil day (Eph. 6:11–13). Gird yourself with the righteousness of Christ, by faith in the “gospel of peace,” and take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” by confessing Christ Jesus and “praying at all times in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:14–18).

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENT
DIVINE SERVICE SETTING ONE     LSB 15

OPENING HYMN: #566 By Grace I’m Saved vs 1&2

INVOCATION      Matthew 28:19b; [18:20]

P      In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C     Amen.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION   1 John 1:8-9

P     If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

C     But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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

P     Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

C     Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

P     Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore 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          Psalm 51:7, 10–12; antiphon: v. 2      (spoken responsively as marked)

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
            and cleanse me from my sin!
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
            wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
            and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
            and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
            and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
            and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
            is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
            and cleanse me from my sin!

Amen

Kyrie                                                                                                                           LSB 152

P     In peace let us pray to the Lord. 

P     For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.

P     For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.

P     For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.

P     Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.

HYMN OF PRAISE: This Is the Feast        LSB 155

SALUTATION and PRAYER OF THE DAY       LSB 156

P      The Lord be with you.

P     Let us pray.

O God, the source of all that is just and good, nourish in us every virtue and bring to completion every good intent that we may grow in grace and bring forth the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament         Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9

            ¹“Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the just decrees that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. ²You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. . .

            ⁶Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ ⁷For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? ⁸And what great nation is there, that has statutes and just decrees so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?

            ⁹“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.”

L          This is the Word of the Lord.
C          Thanks be to God.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:129–136       (spoken responsively as marked)

¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful;
            therefore my soul keeps them.
¹³⁰The unfolding of your words gives light;
            it imparts understanding to the simple.
¹³¹I open my mouth and pant,
            because I long for your commandments.
¹³²Turn to me and be gracious to me,
            as is your way with those who love your name.
¹³³Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
            and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
¹³⁴Redeem me from man’s oppression,
            that I may keep your precepts.
¹³⁵Make your face shine upon your servant,
            and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶My eyes shed streams of tears,
            because people do not keep your law.

Amen

Epistle             Ephesians 6:10–20

            ¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

L          This is the Word of the Lord.
C          Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA                                                                                                                     LSB 156

HOLY GOSPEL  Mark 7:14–23

P          The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the Seventh chapter.

                  ¹⁴[Jesus] called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: ¹⁵There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” ¹⁷And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. ¹⁸And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, ¹⁹since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) ²⁰And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. ²¹For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, ²²coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. ²³All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

P          This is the Gospel of the Lord.

HYMN OF THE DAY: #566 By Grace I’m Saved vs 3&4

SERMON: “What Defiles our Hearts?”

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 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.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

After each petition:                             At conclusion:

P   … Lord, in Your mercy:                   P   … one God, now and forever.

C    hear our prayer.                           C    Amen.

OFFERING

OFFERTORY                                                                                                                 LSB 176

+ Service of the Sacrament +

Communion Invitation

• The Lord’s Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as he says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but his very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with him and with one another. Our Lord invites to his table those who trust his words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as he forgives and loves us, that they may show forth his death until he comes.
• Because those who eat and drink our Lord’s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation
  and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the Pastor or an usher.

For further study, see Matthew 5:23f.; 10:32f.;

18:15-35; 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:17-34.

PREFACE                                                                                                                     LSB 177

P    The Lord be with you.

P    Lift up your hearts.

P    Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

PROPER PREFACE

P    It is truly good, 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, out of

love for His fallen creation, humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant, becoming

obedient unto death, even death upon a cross. Risen from the dead, He has freed us from

eternal death and given us life everlasting. 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 178

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING                                                                                      LSB 178

P    Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.

Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C    Amen.

LORD’S PRAYER          Matthew 6:9–13      LSB 179

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.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory

      forever and ever. Amen.

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD   

P             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 T 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 T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

PAX DOMINI                       LSB 180

P    The peace of the Lord be with you always.

AGNUS DEI                                                                                                                   LSB 180

DISTRIBUTION

POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE:  Thank the Lord                                                            LSB 181

Post-Communion Collect                                                                                   LSB 183

P    Let us pray.

O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C    Amen.

Benediction

    LSB 183

P    The Lord bless you and keep you.

         The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

         The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.

CLOSING HYMN: #849 Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness

DISMISSAL

Pastor:       Go in peace as you serve the Lord.

People:     Thanks be to God!

POSTLUDE MUSIC

Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series C, Quarter 3. Copyright © 2022 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.