Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 W. 8th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50702
Information for June 21, 2026
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.
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY
Jesus Receives Sinners
June 21, 2026
AS WE GATHER: “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). The Pharisees’ statement of judgment against Jesus is in fact a proclamation of Gospel truth. For our God is one who delights in mercy, who casts all our sins into the depths of the sea through the cross (Micah 7:18-20). “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). Those who refuse to be counted as sinners also refuse Jesus who came only for sinners. Those like the older son (Luke 15:11-32), who think they are righteous of themselves, will not join in the heavenly celebration over the sinner who repents and so remain outside of the Father’s house. Let us therefore be on guard against self-righteously trusting in our own merits. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you” (1Peter 5:6). Rejoice that Jesus receives sinners like us and that He still sits at table with us in the Holy Supper, bestowing His forgiveness and life.
*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.
*COLLECT OF THE DAY:
Pastor: O God,
People: the protector of all who trust in You, without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy, multiply Your mercy on us that , with You as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
PARTICIPATING:
Worship Leader/Preacher Pastor Justin D. Kane
Organist Mrs. Kolleen Hosford
Worship Elder Mr. Alan Kleinendorst
Lay Reader Mrs. Lu Kafer
Door Greeter Brian Williams
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Matins
Organ Prelude
Opening Hymn LSB 594 “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It”
*Confession and Absolution: (Printed)
“O Lord, open my lips…” LSB 219
PSALMODY
Venite: LSB 220ff
READINGS
*Ten Commandments (sheet insert)
Old Testament: Micah 7:18-20 Pew Bible Page 1450
Epistle: 1 Peter 5:6-11 Pew Bible Page 1892
*Holy Gospel: Luke 15:11-32 Pew Bible Page 1624
*Responsory LSB 221
Office Hymn: LSB 608 “Lord, to You I Make Confession”
Sermon
Offertory LSB 956
“Create in Me”
*Canticle “We Praise You . . . “ LSB 941
PRAYER
*Kyrie: LSB 227
*Lord’s Prayer: LSB 227
*Prayer of the Church
*Collect of the Day: (Printed)
*Collect for Grace: LSB 228
*Benedicamus/Benediction: LSB 228
Announcements
Closing Hymn: LSB 707 “Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways”
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
1024 West Eighth Street, Waterloo Iowa
319.235.6705
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