First Immanuel Lutheran Ministries ~ River of Life Saukville Campus
AS WE GATHER in worship, we consider the account of Job, who struggled through the terrible challenges of life that many of us face. He wrestles with issues of what is right and just and fair. He is burdened by the accusations of friends. He is instructed by the Lord. Above all, it is through his suffering that Job finds many blessings. So do we.
THE OPENING HYMN
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light
1 I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus. Refrain
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
2 I want to see the brightness of God.
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path,
And show me the way to the Father.
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
3 I’m looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
We shall know the joy of Jesus.
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.
Text: © 1970, 1975 Celebration. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005548
THE INVOCATION AND OPENING VERSES
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: The Spirit of God has made me;
C: the breath of the Almighty gives me life(Job 33:4).
P: As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause,
C: who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number (Job 5:8-9).
THE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
P: As imperfect and broken people, we stand before a perfect and loving God. We have sinned in our thoughts, with our words and by our actions. Scripture speaks clearly to us: “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding (Job 28:28).” We humbly turn to the Lord and confess:
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: “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding" (Job 36:5). 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 the Word I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen!
THE LITANY.......Selected Verses from Job
P: Naked I came from my mother’s womb;
C: Naked shall I return.
P: The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
C: Blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21)
P: Shall we receive good from God,
C: And shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10)
P: Is my complaint against man? (Job 21:4)
C: Oh, that I knew where I might find God!
P: Would he contend with me in the greatness of His power?
C: No, he would pay attention to me.(Job 23:3,6)
P: You clothed me with skin and flesh,
C: and knit me together with bones and sinews.
P: You have granted me life and steadfast love,
C: And Your care has preserved my spirit.
P: Yet these things You hid in Your heart;
C: I know that this was Your purpose. (Job 10:11-13)
P: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
C: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
THE HYMN OF PRAISE: Amazing Grace
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
P: Gracious Jesus, You walked this sinful world and are aware of the pains we endure. In the midst of our suffering in this world, remind us that Your grace is sufficient at all times and point us to the joyful perfection You prepare for us in heaven. We ask this in Your powerful name.
C: Amen.
Job 1:13-22 ESV
Job 2:7-10 ESV
P: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
John 9:1-7 ESV
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to You, O Christ ♫
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
KIDMIN VIDEO
THE SERMON HYMN
“Come Unto Me, Ye Weary”
1 “Come unto Me, ye weary,
And I will give you rest.”
O blessèd voice of Jesus,
Which comes to hearts oppressed!
It tells of benediction,
Of pardon, grace, and peace,
Of joy that hath no ending,
Of love that cannot cease.
2 “Come unto Me, ye wand’rers,
And I will give you light.”
O loving voice of Jesus,
Which comes to cheer the night!
Our hearts were filled with sadness,
And we had lost our way;
But Thou hast brought us gladness
And songs at break of day.
3 “Come unto Me, ye fainting,
And I will give you life.”
O cheering voice of Jesus,
Which comes to aid our strife!
The foe is stern and eager,
The fight is fierce and long;
But Thou hast made us mighty
And stronger than the strong.
4 “And whosoever cometh,
I will not cast him out.”
O patient love of Jesus,
Which drives away our doubt,
Which, though we be unworthy
Of love so great and free,
Invites us very sinners
To come, dear Lord, to Thee!
MESSAGE Living by Faith, Suffering by Grace
Sermon Reflection:
THE OFFERTORY ♫
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 unto me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with Your free spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER
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 BENEDICTION
C: Amen. Amen. Amen.♫
THE CLOSING HYMN
“Precious Lord, Take My Hand”
1 Precious Lord, take my hand,
Lead me on, let me stand;
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night,
Lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.
2 When my way grows drear,
Precious Lord, linger near,
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call;
Hold my hand lest I fall.
Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.
3 When the darkness appears
And the night draws near
And the day is almost gone,
At the river I stand;
Guide my feet, hold my hand,
Take my hand, precious Lord; lead me home.
Text: © 1938 (renewed) Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp., admin. Alfred Music. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005548
ANNOUNCEMENTS
