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Faith Lutheran Church 601 E Glendale Ave Appleton WI

July 19 & 20, 2020

8:00am / 10:30am / 6:00pm

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Life in the Kingdom – “Treasured”

AS WE GATHER

Welcome to worship at Faith! We're glad you chose to join us and pray

that you will be renewed and strengthened by God's presence today.

Our summer sermon series is called “Life in the Kingdom”. Each weekend

we will explore the Gospel of Matthew, especially the portions that detail

the teaching ministry of Jesus. If one was to read through the book of

Matthew, one might notice how often Jesus speaks of “the kingdom of

heaven”, a way of talking about the kingly reign of God. Throughout His

life, Jesus encourages His listeners to live according to God’s will since we

are ultimately under His authority and kingship.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has a lot to say about life in the Kingdom

of God. Throughout our summer series, we will examine specific ways Jesus

encourages us to live out our lives as His disciples.

Today’s theme and texts focus on the parable of the hidden treasure,

parable of the pearl merchant, and parable of the fishing net. All three

focus on finding things of worth—Jesus and the kingdom of heaven. In our

earthly lives, there are so many temporal things that distract us and pull us

away from our spiritual treasure. That is why Jesus said, “Do not store up

for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and

where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in

heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not

break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

(Matthew 6:19-21). Covered in the righteousness of Christ, we can, and will,

find our treasure in Heaven!

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+ GATHER +

WELCOME

Stand as you are able

“All Praise to Thee, for Thou, O King Divine” LSB 815

1 All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine,

Didst yield the glory that of right was Thine,

That in our darkened hearts Thy grace might shine.

Alleluia!

2 Thou cam’st to us in lowliness of thought;

By Thee the outcast and the poor were sought;

And by Thy death was God’s salvation wrought.

Alleluia!

3 Let this mind be in us which was in Thee,

Who wast a servant that we might be free,

Humbling Thyself to death on Calvary.

Alleluia!

4 Wherefore, by God’s eternal purpose, Thou

Art high exalted o’er all creatures now,

And giv’n the name to which all knees shall bow.

Alleluia!

5 Let ev’ry tongue confess with one accord,

In heav’n and earth, that Jesus Christ is Lord,

And God the Father be by all adored.

Alleluia!

Text: © The Church Pension Fund. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005494

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INVOCATION (The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.)

L In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy

Spirit.

C Amen.

CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION

L Our help is in the name of the Lord,

C who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

L If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

C But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are

feared. (Psalm 130:3-4)

L Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in

prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord

Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first examine

ourselves, consider the sinful desires of our hearts, and confess

them to God.

L Today, let us specifically consider the treasures of our hearts.

Jesus warned against the love of temporal things in the Gospel

of Matthew by saying:

C “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

L King Solomon also wrote about treasure, a reference to divine

wisdom and godly living.

C The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the

income of the wicked brings ruin. (Proverbs 15:6)

L By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is

established;

C through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and

beautiful treasures. (Proverbs 24:3-4)

L What treasure does your heart seek? And have your actions

led to more treasure or ruin?

(Silence is kept for reflection on God’s Word and self-examination.)

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L Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hid:

C we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We

have sinned 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 and we have not loved our

neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us for doing things you

forbid and neglecting things You command. Cleanse the

thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy

Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily

magnify Your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

P Almighty God is rich in mercy and offers His children

forgiveness through the atoning sacrifice made by His Son,

Jesus. Instead of reaping what we deserve, we receive His

grace and are declared righteous. 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 + Son and of

the Holy Spirit.

C Amen. Thanks be to God!

Sit

“Glorious Things of You Are Spoken” LSB 648

1 Glorious things of you are spoken,

Zion, city of our God;

He whose word cannot be broken

Formed you for His own abode.

On the Rock of Ages founded,

What can shake your sure repose?

With salvation’s walls surrounded,

You may smile at all your foes.

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2 See, the streams of living waters,

Springing from eternal love,

Well supply your sons and daughters

And all fear of want remove.

Who can faint while such a river

Ever will their thirst assuage?

Grace, which like the Lord, the giver,

Never fails from age to age.

3 Round each habitation hov’ring,

See the cloud and fire appear

For a glory and a cov’ring,

Showing that the Lord is near.

Thus deriving from their banner

Light by night and shade by day,

Safe they feed upon the manna

Which God gives them on their way.

4 Savior, since of Zion’s city

I through grace a member am,

Let the world deride or pity,

I will glory in Your name.

Fading are the world’s vain pleasures,

All their boasted pomp and show;

Solid joys and lasting treasures

None but Zion’s children know.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (from Thursday, July 16 devotion)

L Let us pray. “Thank You, Lord Jesus, for making me righteous

through Your death on the cross for my sins.

C Help me to live as You did, always with my eyes on the

treasure that awaits me in Heaven. Amen.”

+ GROW +

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FIRST READING Deuteronomy 7:6-9 (God’s chosen people follow His commands and love Him above all else.)

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your

God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth

to be his people, his treasured possession.

7The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you

because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you

were the fewest of all peoples. 8But it was because the Lord loved

you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he

brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the

land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9Know

therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God,

keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those

who love him and keep his commands.

L This is the Word of the Lord.

C Thanks be to God!

Stand

ALLELUIA and VERSE

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HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 13:44-52 (Jesus shares three parables about lasting treasure—the kingdom of heaven.)

L The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 13th chapter.

C Glory to You, O Lord!

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When

a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold

all he had and bought that field.

45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for

fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and

sold everything he had and bought it.

47"Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let

down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48When it was full,

the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and

collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49This

is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and

separate the wicked from the righteous 50and throw them into the

fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51"Have you understood all these things?" Jesus asked.

"Yes," they replied.

52He said to them, "Therefore every teacher of the law who has

been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of

a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as

old."

L This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ!

NICENE CREED

C I believe in one God,

the Father Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth

and of all things visible and invisible.

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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 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;

His 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 + of the world to come. Amen.

Sit

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SERMON

+ GO + OFFERING and HYMN

For those in church, offerings can be placed in the offering basket upon exit. For

those joining us through our radio program or online stream, you may give by

mail, online at www.faithfoxvalley.org/give or text to give at @ 920-280-1030.

Today’s third week special offering is designated to Children’s Hope Chest.

“Your Kingdom, O God, is my Glorious Treasure” LSB 654

1 Your kingdom, O God, is my glorious treasure,

My pearl of incomp’rable worth.

Its value exceeds ev’ry standard of measure,

Surpassing the wealth of the earth.

Lord, give me Your grace and the pow’r of the Spirit

To value this treasure aright

That, never allured by the world, I inherit

Your kingdom of glory and light.

2 Your kingdom, O God, is alive with the power

Your Word and Your Spirit bestow.

Like yeast, they affect the whole measure of flour,

Enabling Your kingdom to grow.

Empower me, Lord, as I live Your commission,

Though humble my service may be,

And bring ev’ry planting to perfect fruition,

A mustard seed grown to a tree.

3 Your kingdom, O God, is a field for the growing

Of seeds that Your mercy has sown;

But still in our midst is the enemy sowing

The weeds that imperil Your own.

Sustain me, O Lord, till Your day of returning

And harvest me homeward at last,

To shine in the homeland that quiets all yearning,

Where sorrow and danger are past.

Text: © David W. Rogner. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005494

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Stand

OFFERING PRAYER

L Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what You

have first given us –

C our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of Your

gracious love. Receive them for the sake of Him who

offered Himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH

L Gathered in the name of Jesus, let us turn to our Father in

heaven and pray for all people according to their needs,

trusting that He will hear us and answer us according to His

will.

(The following response is used after each petition)

L Hear us, O God,

C For Your mercy is great.

L Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray,

trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our

Lord.

C Amen.

PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION

L The Lord be with you.

C And also with you.

L Lift up your hearts.

C We lift them to the Lord.

L Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

L It is truly good, right, and salutary . . . evermore praising You

and singing:

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SANCTUS

LORD'S PRAYER

L Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:

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.

Sit

WORDS OF OUR LORD

CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION

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Stand

DISMISSAL

L The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you

and keep you in His grace.

C Amen.

POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

L 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,

C 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. Amen.

BENEDICTION and SENDING

L 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 + give you peace.

C Amen.

L Go in peace; serve the Lord!

C Thanks be to God!

“All Depends on Our Possessing” LSB 732

1 All depends on our possessing

God’s abundant grace and blessing,

Though all earthly wealth depart.

They who trust with faith unshaken

By their God are not forsaken

And will keep a dauntless heart.

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2 He who to this day has fed me

And to many joys has led me

Is and ever shall be mine.

He who ever gently schools me,

He who daily guides and rules me

Will remain my help divine.

3 Many spend their lives in fretting

Over trifles and in getting

Things that have no solid ground.

I shall strive to win a treasure

That will bring me lasting pleasure

And that now is seldom found.

5 Well He knows what best to grant me;

All the longing hopes that haunt me,

Joy and sorrow, have their day.

I shall doubt His wisdom never;

As God wills, so be it ever;

I commit to Him my way.

6 If my days on earth He lengthen,

God my weary soul will strengthen;

All my trust in Him I place.

Earthly wealth is not abiding,

Like a stream away is gliding;

Safe I anchor in His grace.

PARTICIPANTS

Preacher Rev. Aaron Rosenau

Liturgist Rev. Dan Thews

Sunday Organist Jon M. Peterson

Monday Organist Delores Jacobson

Sunday Vocalists Linda Hash and Lori Maves

Acknowledgments

Liturgy based on Divine Service, Setting IV from Lutheran Service Book

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.