HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH (LCMS)

4107 21st Avenue; Moline, IL 61265

(309) 764-9720 holycrosslutheran@mchsi.com

www.holycrossmoline-lcms.org

Rev. Dr. Wilfred L. Karsten…….…...…….….….…….…….…….………………………Pastor

Mobile: (309)716-2375

Vicar-elect Nathaniel Konkel…………….………….…………………………Pastoral Intern

Connie McKean….................................................................................Office Administrator

Susan Serre.....…….…..……………………...Youth Director/Sunday School Superintendent

The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – July 26, 2020

Service of Prayer and Preaching

Ringing of the Bells, Prelude, Lighting of Candles

Invocation, Confession of Sins O almighty God, merciful Father,

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.

Absolution

Hymn: 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.

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.

About The Cover: Like a merchant selling everything to have a pearl of

immeasurable value, Jesus was willing to give everything to have us. Even though we

are tarnished by our sin, Jesus sees each of us as precious and invaluable in His sight.

He was willing to give His very life so that we may “be His own and live under

Him in His kingdom” (Small Catechism, Explanation of the Second

Article). Catechism: © 1986 CPH.

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.

4 When with sorrow I am stricken,

Hope anew my heart will quicken;

All my longing shall be stilled.

To His loving-kindness tender

Soul and body I surrender,

For on God alone I build.

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.

Opening Versicles

This is the day which the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the

tents of the wicked.

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord.

Teach me Your paths.

Sanctify us in Your truth.

Your Word is truth.

From the rising of the sun to its setting,

The name of the Lord is to be praised.

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.

Old Testament Canticle (Sung)

The Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my

salvation. With joy will you draw water from the wells of salvation.

And you will say in that day:

"Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name,

make known His deeds among the people,

proclaim that His name is exalted." The Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my

salvation. Sing praises to the Lord, for He has done gloriously;

let this be made known in all the earth.

Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitants of Zion, for great in your midst is

the Holy One of Israel. The Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my

salvation. 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. The Lord God is my strength and my song, and He has become my

salvation.

Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 7:6–9

6“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a

people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7It was

not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and

chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8but it is because the LORD loves you and is

keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty

hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and

steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Holy Gospel Matthew 13:44–52 44[Jesus said:] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and

covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46who, on finding

one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of

every kind. 48When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into

containers but threw away the bad. 49So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out

and separate the evil from the righteous 50and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there

will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

51“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” 52And he said to them,

“Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a

house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Responsory (Spoken)

Forever, O Lord, Your Word is firmly set in the heavens.

Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory

dwells.

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.

Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory

dwells.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Lord, I love the habitation of Your house and the place where Your glory

dwells.

Catechism Ten Commandments

You shall have no other gods.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Honor your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or

maidservant,

his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

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 T everlasting. Amen.

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.

Sermon: Making an Appraisal Matthew 13:44-52

Hymn: Jesus, Priceless Treasure LSB 743

1 Jesus, priceless treasure,

Fount of purest pleasure,

Truest friend to me,

Ah, how long in anguish

Shall my spirit languish,

Yearning, Lord, for Thee?

Thou art mine,

O Lamb divine!

I will suffer naught to hide Thee;

Naught I ask beside Thee.

2 In Thine arms I rest me;

Foes who would molest me

Cannot reach me here.

Though the earth be shaking,

Ev’ry heart be quaking,

Jesus calms my fear.

Lightnings flash

And thunders crash;

Yet, though sin and hell assail me,

Jesus will not fail me.

3 Satan, I defy thee;

Death, I now decry thee;

Fear, I bid thee cease.

World, thou shalt not harm me

Nor thy threats alarm me

While I sing of peace.

God’s great pow’r

Guards ev’ry hour;

Earth and all its depths adore Him,

Silent bow before Him.

4 Hence, all earthly treasure!

Jesus is my pleasure,

Jesus is my choice.

Hence, all empty glory!

Naught to me thy story

Told with tempting voice.

Pain or loss,

Or shame or cross,

Shall not from my Savior move me

Since He deigns to love me.

5 Evil world, I leave thee;

Thou canst not deceive me,

Thine appeal is vain.

Sin that once did blind me,

Get thee far behind me,

Come not forth again.

Past thy hour,

O pride and pow’r;

Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,

Leave thee now forever.

6 Hence, all fear and sadness!

For the Lord of gladness,

Jesus, enters in.

Those who love the Father,

Though the storms may gather,

Still have peace within.

Yea, whate’er

I here must bear,

Thou art still my purest pleasure,

Jesus, priceless treasure!

(An offering plate is placed in the narthex where you may leave your gift for the Lord’s work)

Prayer In peace let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For the gift of divine peace and of pardon, with all our heart and with all our

mind, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For the holy Christian Church, here and scattered throughout the world, and

for the proclamation of the Gospel and the calling of all to faith, let us pray to

the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For this nation, for our cities and communities, and for the common welfare

of us all, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For seasonable weather and for the fruitfulness of the earth, let us pray to the

Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For those who labor, for those whose work is difficult or dangerous, and for

all who travel, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For all those in need, for the hungry and homeless, for the widowed and

orphaned, and for all those in prison, let us pray to the Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For the sick and dying and for all those who care for them, let us pray to the

Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

For . . . [additional bids for prayer may be inserted here] . . . let us pray to the

Lord:

Lord, have mercy.

Finally, for these and for all our needs of body and soul, let us pray to the

Lord:

Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Collect of the Day Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love,

that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have

commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns

with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Collect for the Word Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our

learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and take them to

heart that, by the patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace

and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ,

Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and forever.

Amen.

Morning Prayer I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son,

that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray

that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my

doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself,

my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that

the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

New Testament Canticle (Sung)

Christ has been raised from the dead! Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed.

Raised from the dead, He will never die again.

Death has no more dominion over Him. Christ has been raised from the dead! Alleluia. Alleluia. Dying, Christ dies to sin, once for all.

Living, He lives to God.

Count yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, our

Lord. Christ has been raised from the dead! Alleluia. Alleluia.

Blessing

Let us bless the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit,

bless and preserve you.

Amen.

Hymn: Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise LSB 917

1 Savior, again to Thy dear name we raise

With one accord our parting hymn of praise;

Once more we bless Thee ere our worship cease,

Then, lowly bending, wait Thy word of peace.

2 Grant us Thy peace upon our homeward way;

With Thee began, with Thee shall end, the day.

Guard Thou the lips from sin, the hearts from shame,

That in this house have called upon Thy name.

3 Grant us Thy peace, Lord, through the coming night;

Turn Thou for us its darkness into light.

From harm and danger keep Thy children free;

For dark and light are both alike to Thee.

4 Grant us Thy peace throughout our earthly life,

Our balm in sorrow and our stay in strife;

Then, when Thy voice shall bid our conflict cease,

Call us, O Lord, to Thine eternal peace.

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

THANKS TO THOSE ASSISTING WITH THE SERVICE

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Wilfred Karsten, Pastor

Organist: Lynette Karsten

Elders: 8:15-Jeff Welvaert, Ken Phillips; 10:45-Ben Brondos, Bob Rauh;

Wed. 6:00-Bob Rauh, Ben Brondos

Videographer: Rick Serre

The flowers on the altar are given by Gwen Shrake in celebration of the birthday of Terry Shrake.

Serving in the Military: J.T. Grider (cousin of Sandy Bopes), Andrew Tolley (son of Carole Tolley),

David Revel (son of Craig & Laurie Revel, serving in Germany), Jeffrey Teuscher (nephew of Willie

Swain), Leith Masri (grandson of Marian Jones), Matthew Glider (grandson of Doris Glider), Austin Cox

(grandson-in-law of Sieg Paulsen), Paul Thorngren (nephew of Dan & Melissa Thorngren), Matthew

Patterson (son-in-law of Mike Waters, serving in Kuwait), Emilio Cantu (nephew of Jim and Kathy

Cramblett).

Per HIPPA privacy regulations, if you put someone on the prayer list, please make sure you have first

secured their permission to do so.

New to the Prayer List: Hospitalized in Florida-Dennis Rusk

In Hospice at Heartland: George Sukach

At Home: Barrett & Lily Hock (Infant great nephew & niece of Don & Mary Freeman)

Serious Medical Condition: David Kramer, Kathrine Hopkins, Heidi Sias, Fred Poe, Miya, Steve H.,

Gayle C (sister of Gwen Shrake), Mark Blodgett, Ed Nightengale, and

Ruth McDonald (friend of Lois Schaeffer), Brittany, great niece of Claude and Sandy Lohse.

Members of Holy Cross receiving treatment for cancer: Ken Guldenpfennig, Mike Green, Jerry Tutskey,

Kristine Westmoreland and Anna Wilson.

This week's Birthdays

7/26 Donna Knudtson ; 7/27 Mary Pement; 7/28 Priscella Bremer; 7/30 Jim Schuler, Alexandria Elliott;

7/31 Kathrine Hopkins, Jacob Kroll.

For emergencies or any other concerns, please phone Pastor Karsten at 309-716-2375. You may also

text, call or email Pastor (wkarsten@mchsi.com) to schedule an appointment for private communion at

church or outside communion at your home.

The voice mail on our church phone has been malfunctioning and Windstream has been slow in

resolving the issue. If you need to leave a message outside of office hours please contact Pastor (309-716-

2375) or Connie (309-230-3184).

We will continue to record and post Sunday services on the Holy Cross homepage during the current

phase of reopening. If you know someone who does not have computer access and desires an audio CD of

the service, please phone or email Pastor Karsten.

Since we cannot as yet gather for Adult Bible Class in the Fellowship Hall, our traditional Meet the

Vicar and His Family will occur via video. Vicar Konkel, his wife Hannah and their daughters Karla and

Carolynn will arrive tomorrow, God willing. Vicar-elect Konkel will be installed during the 8:15

service on August 2. You may bring your cards and gifts to the service that day and drop them in a

designated basket for the Konkel family. If you are unable to attend services, you may mail your

welcoming gifts to the Konkels at 4107 – 21st Avenue Moline, or drop them off at the church.

Pregnancy Resources will be our pantry recipient for the month of August. Their immediate needs are

as follows; Large (size 5-6) diapers, sleepers any size from NB to 3T, NEW baby bottles, pacifiers, lotion,

shampoo, and wet wipes. Nursing mothers are in need of milk storage bags. Gently used maternity clothes

in large sizes would also benefit expectant mothers. Diaper bags and nursing pillows would be much

appreciated.

Please call, text, or email Connie (309-230-3184 holycrosslutheran@mchsi.com) each week to sign up

for Sunday or Wednesday services.

On Sunday, August 23rd from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the R.I. Zone LWML is hosting a bring your own

lawn chair social distancing kick-off event for women in the Immanuel parking lot and grassy area. Come

and enjoy fellowship time with other women of all ages. Dixie cup ice cream and other individually

contained desserts will be provided. Women of all ages are invited to attend. Please RSVP to

parrycm@yahoo.com See Mary Pement if you have any questions.

YOUR LIFELINE TO THE LUTHERAN WORLDVIEW... Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show and

podcast produced by Lutheran Public Radio in Collinsville, IL and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd

Wilken. This week's topics include: Myths about Lutheran Worship, Callings in Life, The Hymn "Thy

Strong Word," Johann Sebastian Bach and more. You can listen on-demand at issuesetc.org, the LPR

mobile app and your favorite podcast provider.