The Sunday of the Centurion (01/26)

Prepare for Worship
Written By Christopher Gillespie

Within the liturgy for each Lord’s day, we receive the Word of God through uniquely appointed readings, psalms, hymns, and prayers. This week we will pray the Divine Service Setting Three (audio of this liturgy). The following guide will help you to prepare to hear and sing the Propers, i.e. the varied texts and hymns for this week.

Jesus Came for Gentiles, Too

The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Gentile (Rom. 1:8–17). Even in the Old Testament, the Gentiles were beneficiaries of God's saving power. Though unimpressed at first with the Word of God, a Syrian commander is persuaded to receive that Word, and in the water, he is cleansed and brought to faith in the God of Israel (2 Kings 5:1–15a). Evil is overcome by good (Rom 12:16–21). So also in the New Testament, a Roman centurion demonstrates great and humble faith in the Lord (Matt. 8:1–13). All he needs is the Word of Christ, for he trusts that Jesus' Word of healing has the authority to accomplish what it says. And indeed it does. The centurion's faith is praised by our Lord above that of any Israelite. For the last shall be first, and the first last. Apart from faith in Christ, there is no salvation—not even for a Jew¬—but only weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Collect of the Day: Almighty and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities and stretch forth the hand of Your majesty to heal and defend us; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Readings:

Introit: Ps. 97:1, 10-12; antiphon: Ps. 97:6,9
Gradual: Ps. 102:15-16
Old Testament: 2 Kings 5:1-15a
Psalm 110:1-4 (antiphon: v. 2a)
Epistle: Rom. 1:8-17 or Rom. 12:16-21
Proper Verse: Ps. 97:1
Gospel: Matt. 8:1-13

Hymns:

834 O God, O Lord of heav'n and earth Wittenberg New

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBomcCQmwgk

401 From God the Father, virgin-born Deus tuorum militum Hymn Study

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krvi_W7amlk

810 O God of God, O Light of light O grosser Gott

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0KqXa-ndek

396 Arise and shine in splendor O Welt, ich muss dich lassen (Innsbruck)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yMi9hN0m0s

620 Jesus comes today with healing Alles ist an Gottes Segen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4SDnp3nm2I

587 I know my faith is founded Nun lob, mein Seel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h39jl0o2GtQ

571 God loved the world so that He gave St. Crispin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn78On6Ct8Y

Christopher Gillespie

The Rev. Christopher R. Gillespie was ordained into the Holy Ministry on July 25, A+D 2010. He and his wife, Anne, enjoy raising their family of ten children in the Lord in southwest Wisconsin. He earned a Masters of Divinity in 2009 from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Christopher also is a freelance recording and media producer. His speciality is recording of classical, choral, band and instrumental music and mastering of all genres of music. Services offered include location multi-track audio recording, live concert capture and production, mastering for CD and web, video production for web.

Also he operates a coffee roasting company, Coffee by Gillespie. Great coffee motivates and inspires. Many favorite memories are often shared over a cup. That’s why we take our coffee seriously. Select the best raw coffee. Roast it artfully. Brew it for best flavor. Coffee by Gillespie, the pride and passion of Christopher Gillespie, was founded to share his own experience in delicious coffee with you.

His many hobbies include listening to music, grilling, electronics, photography, computing, studying theology, and Christian apologetics.

https://outerrimterritories.com
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The Sunday of the Wedding at Cana (01/19)