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MT. CALVARY

LUTHERAN CHURCH The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod

Ft. Lupton, Colorado 303-857-6827 www.mtcalvaryluth.org Pastor Keith Besel

FIFTHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST September 13, 2020

Theme for the Day! Our Bible lessons today all expand upon the LORD’s teaching and command, “love your neighbor as yourself”. From the Old Testament contrast between Joseph and his brothers, to Paul’s teaching about being overly judgmental and then Jesus’ response to Peter about how often we are to forgive those who sin against us, we ultimately receive a picture of the amazing love and forgiveness that God has shown first to us in Jesus.

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Opening Hymn 512 At the Name of Jesus

5 In your hearts enthrone Him;

There let Him subdue All that is not holy, All that is not true: Crown Him as your captain In temptation’s hour; Let His will enfold you In its light and pow’r.

6 Christians, this Lord Jesus

Shall return again In His Father’s glory, With His angel train; For all wreaths of empire Meet upon His brow, And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

Δ 7 Glory then to Jesus,

Who, the Prince of light, To a world in darkness Brought the gift of sight; Praise to God the Father; In the Spirit’s love Praise we all together Him who reigns above.

Text and tune: Public domain

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Confession and Absolution

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

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.

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 143:1-2; antiphon: v. 6

Deliver me from my enemies, | O LORD!* I have fled to you for | refuge! Hear my prayer, O LORD; give ear to my pleas for | mercy!* In your faithfulness answer me, in your | righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your | servant,* for no one living is righteous be- | fore you. 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. Deliver me from my enemies, | O LORD!* I have fled to you for | refuge!

Kyrie

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Gloria in Excelsis

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Salutation and Collect of the Day

P Let us pray. O God, our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the devout prayers of Your Church, especially in times of persecution, and grant that what we ask in faith we may obtain; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament Reading Genesis 50:15–21

The story of Joseph and his brothers has been lengthy and filled with many ups and downs for all. Once his father, Jacob had died and was buried, his brothers now come before him in fear and Joseph is given the opportunity to express his faith in a most remarkable way.

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.

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

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Gradual Psalm 34:9, 19, alt.

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing! Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Epistle Romans 14:1–12 Paul continues to teach us how the Lord desires believers to live and interact with each other in this earthly life. Rather than allowing non-Biblical issues to divide us and Christ’s Church Paul explains that each person’s expression of faith may look different from others as long as we are not confessing or doing something that’s directly against God’s Word of truth.

1As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11for it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”

12So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

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

Alleluia and Verse LSB 156

Holy Gospel Matthew 18:21-35

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eighteenth chapter

Jesus has just taught the importance of Christians working to forgive each other and live together in a God-pleasing manner. Now Peter asks a question that many of us selfishly struggle with, “How often must I forgive a person that wrongs me over and over again?” Our only hope of following Jesus’ answer is by His forgiving power and grace given first to us.

21Peter came up and said to [Jesus], “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?

As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.

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23“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Children’s Sermon “I Am His”

Hymn of the Day We Belong To the Lord

1. Al – migh–ty Lord, our God; Be – fore Your throne we stand, 2. To You O Lord we die; our sin – ful self is drowned. 3. To You O Lord, we live; be – cause You con – quered sin. 4. Lord, God to You we sing; our Fa – ther o – ver all;

Refrain

We bow in wor – ship and con – fess Your name a – lone In life In Your bap - tis - mal grace You washed and made us clean. In life For – give–ness, life and grace You give us by Your love: In life Be – f ore You, Son and Spi – rit we all hum – bly bow! In life

and death, we trust in You; for to You, Lord we all be–long! Text: Rev. Keith Besel 2020 (from Romans 14:1-12)

Tune: John Darwall (LSB # 921)

Sermon “God’s Greater Story – Living in Christ’s Eternal Rule”

Text: Romans 14:1-12

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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.

Prayer of the Church

Lord’s Prayer

C 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.

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Benediction LSB 166

Hymn to Depart 702 My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Text and tune: Public domain

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Reminder there is a council meeting this coming Tuesday Sep. 15 @ 6:30p.m. on Zoom. We need your response: Pastor is interested in starting up socially-safe Bible Study classes in two different formats but we need to find out who and how many people are interested in taking part in the various options.

Option #1: Small group in-person study at church (limited to a maximum of 8-12 people) especially catering to those who do NOT have computer/online capabilities that would meet at one of the following times each week:

a. 10:30 am Mon. b. 1:30 pm Mon. c. 10:30 am Wed. d. 1:30 pm Wed.

Option #2: Online virtual study (via Zoom) for those who are able to connect through their computer/smart device that would meet at one of the following times each week: a. 6:30 pm Mon. b. 6:30 pm Wed.

Please contact the Church office or Pastor Besel to let us know which of the options and times you would be interested and able to take part in gathering to grow in God's Word with your fellow Mt. Calvary brothers and sisters. We hope to make a decision about offering these classes September 27th.

In Our Prayers:

T Those that are ill or recovering: Dave B, Shirley B, Cheyene C, Gloria C, Gene E, Ermaleen E, Owen, Doug F, Carolyn F, Sylvia H, John H, Christina K,

Sandy M, Gary M, Gary N, Becky P, Judy P, Gary R, Sharon R, Bud R, Charlie S, Terry W.

Those in hospitals or care facilities: Marjorie L, Meadow View of Greeley. Terry W, Genesis Assisted Living, in Lafayette.

Our Sister Congregation: Messiah Lutheran Church, Longmont.

New Prayers: The family of June Lee B. (Cousin of Ann P.) who entered eternal paradise on Tuesday. Carol F. and Glen H. (both cousins of Ann P.) who are currently in hospice care. For Sharon (and Gary) R. as Sharon was taken to the hospital Thurs. morning with what appears to be symptoms of another mini-stroke or

seizure. They are trying to evaluate the situation with both her stump and leg as they are also swollen and painful. For John & Ginny W. (Jessica D's father and stepmother) who are impacted by the wildfires in Oregon and at risk of being evacuated from

their home. Dawn (an acquaintance’s sister of Elizabeth D.) was in a bad car accident with a semi yesterday. She is in a coma and on life support. Gary Merritt who is having back surgery on Monday. Pastor Paul Rhode (Eternal Savior Luth., Lafayette) is having surgery this week to address an enlarged prostate.

Those celebrating birthdays this week: Mike T, Tammy H, Arlene M, Tori K, Pay L. Those celebrating baptismal anniversaries this week: Arlyne J., Kari E. Those celebrating wedding anniversaries this week: None.

DAILY READINGS:

September 13 2 Chr 32:1-22: Hos 1:1—14:9: Col 1:1-23: 14 2 Chr 33:1-25: Jon 1:1—4:11: Col 1:24—2:7: 15 2 Chr 34:1-4, 8-11, 14-33: Nah 1:1—3:20: Col 2:8-23: 16 2 Chr 35:1-7, 16-25: Zeph 1:1—3:20: Col 3:1-25: 17 2 Chr 36:1-23: Phil 1-25: Col 4:1-18: 18 Neh 1:1—2:10: Hag 1:1—2:23: 1 Tim 1:1-20: 19 Neh 2:11-20, 4:1-6: 1 Tim 2:1-15

Sharing gOD’S Word!

Serving all!