• Home
  • Events and Calendar
  • Directions
  • Give
  • Contact
St. Paul's Lutheran Church | Falls Church VirginiaSt. Paul's Lutheran Church | Falls Church Virginia
  • Information
  • Adults & Families
  • Youth & Children
  • 中文事工Chinese
    • I'M NEW

Pastor's Corner

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Pastor's Corner
  • Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 8/2/2026

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost 8/2/2026

  • Posted by St. Pauls
  • Categories Pastor's Corner
  • Date July 30, 2026

Pentecost 10 8.2.26 PDF DS Alt 

THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

AUGUST 2, 2026

IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S!

✠ ✠ ✠

THE ENTRANCE RITE 

PRELUDE                                             Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us   Setting: Allan Mahnke

WELCOME

ENTRANCE HYMN                          Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us                      LSB 711 

1      Savior, like a shepherd lead us;
Much we need Your tender care.
In Your pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Your fold prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have bought us; we are Yours.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have bought us; we are Yours.
 

2      We are Yours; in love befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Your flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear us children when we pray.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear us children when we pray.
 

3      You have promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
You have mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to You.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to You.
 

4      Early let us seek Your favor,
Early let us do Your will;
Blessèd Lord and only Savior,
With Your love our spirits fill.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have loved us, love us still.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
You have loved us, love us still.

INVOCATION 

BAPTISMAL DESCRIPTION

PRESENTATION FOR BAPTISM 

QUESTION TO PARENTS AND SPONSORS 

PROFESSION OF FAITH   (The Pastor addresses the baptismal group and the congregation)

Do you ren­ounce all the forces of evil, the devil and all his empty prom­ises?

   I do.

Do you believe in God the Father?

   I believe in God, the Father Al­mighty, maker of heav­en and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?  ­

I be­lieve 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. 

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

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 everlasting.  Amen. 

✠ THE BAPTISM ✠

Mollie Mae Hecht

(Daughter of William and Tanya Hecht) 

PRAYER 

WELCOME BY THE CONGREGATION 

We welcome you into the Lord’s family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child of the same heavenly Father, and worker with us in the kingdom of God. 

KYRIE    (Stand)                                                                                                                                  LSB 944

For the peace from above and for our salvation; and for the peace of the whole world and the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord:

Kyrie Eleison; Christe Eleison; Kyrie Eleison. (Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.) 

For the well-being of the Church of God; and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord:

Kyrie Eleison; Christe Eleison; Kyrie Eleison. 

Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.

Kyrie Eleison; Christe Eleison; Kyrie Eleison.

  HYMN OF PRAISE                           Splendor and Honor                                                           LSB 950

1      Splendor and honor, majesty and power
Are Yours, O Lord God, fount of ev’ry blessing,
For by Your bidding was the whole creation
Called into being.
 

2      Praised be the true Lamb, slain for our redemption,
By whose self-off’ring we are made God’s people:
A priestly kingdom, from all tongues and nations,
Called to God’s service.

 3      To the Almighty, throned in heav’nly splendor,
And to the Savior, Christ our Lamb and Shepherd,
Be adoration, praise, and glory given,
Now and forever.

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.
         And also with you.

Let us pray.  Heavenly Father,

though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

✠ ✠ ✠ 

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST LESSON    (Be seated)                                                                          Isaiah 55:1-5

“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.”

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

PSALM 136:1-6, 23-26  (Sung responsively)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

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.             

SECOND LESSON                                                                                         Romans 9:1-8 

I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

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

ALLELUIA VERSE    (Stand)                                                                                    LSB 952 

Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia, alleluia! 

GOSPEL                                                                                                          Matthew 14:13-21

The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 14th chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.

Now when Jesus heard [about the death of John], he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
         Praise to You, O Christ. 

SERMON    (Be seated)

Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:

As we consider the great miracle of our Lord Jesus described in today’s Gospel reading, I thought we could begin by noticing Jesus’ eyes. What does Jesus see in this story? And where does he look?

A first reference to Jesus’ eyes appears as the story begins. In the reading’s second verse, we’re told: “When he went ashore, he saw… a great crowd.”

Crowds of people were not new to Jesus. By this time, he had been drawing them for a while now. So why are we told that Jesus took notice of this?

To answer that question, we should do some thinking about the makeup of that crowd. This was not a crowd that came to be entertained. Rather, the people came to either hear him preach or because they hoped to be healed by him. All of them, in other words, were there because they wanted Jesus to help them.

Jesus may have been very familiar with crowds, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t notice the individual people in them. Jesus knew of everyone in that crowd’s unique concerns, and he saw them all as important. Jesus made this clear a few chapters ago when he reminded his hearers that “even the hairs of your head are all numbered” (10:30).

Seeing all these concerns of the people moved Jesus to compassion – that’s what the text specifically says. And this is the same compassion Matthew mentions five chapters earlier, except in that mention we also hear an explanation. Matthew says there: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (9:36).

Jesus’ compassion is stirred when he sees his people suffer. For not only does he not like to see them hurt, but he also knows that there’s only so much they can do about it. They’re both harassed and helpless.

Even more than this, however, Jesus’ compassion comes because his heart is filled with love. Jesus has the heart of our heavenly Father – a heart filled with grace.

And Jesus shows this compassion as he teaches and as he heals. That’s what we see him doing in today’s reading, and we know that he does both of these still.

Moreover, Jesus even ministers in his times of withdrawal. In the reading, Jesus had intended to be by himself for a time, most likely to mourn the death of his friend John, who had just been brutally killed in prison. But when he saw the crowd, he adjusted his day. This tells us that Jesus is always willing to adjust to our needs. He responds to our life circumstances and choices – the good and the bad – and brings us what we need.

There is a second reference to our Lord’s eyes in this text. After Jesus had spent time healing the people of the crowd, he was given five loaves of bread and two fish from the hands of the disciples, who were hoping to feed them. Upon receiving these, “he looked up to heaven and said a blessing.”

Jesus looked up and said this blessing because it was time to eat. Eating is always a time to give thanks to God our provider.

But in this case, there was an extra reason to give thanks. For a great miracle would soon take place. Those five loaves and two fish would soon become enough food to feed the entire crowd, with food left over.

A similar “looking up” by Jesus is reported during one of his other miracles. Mark tells of a time when the people brought to Jesus a man who was deaf and could not speak clearly. The scripture says that “looking up to heaven, Jesus sighed and said to him, ‘Ephphatha, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly” (Mark 7:34-35).

Such looking up to heaven by Jesus was clearly meant to draw attention to the source of his power. Jesus did not need to ask God for help with these actions, since he has the power of God on his own. But he wanted the people to know that his power was both Godly and good. You may recall that during his days of ministry Jesus was sometimes accused of having a power which comes from dark sources instead.

At the same time, by lifting up his eyes Jesus also modeled how we are to seek help for our problems. We are to turn to God in faith, through prayer and through the hearing of his word. Jesus’ physical act of looking upwards points us towards this source of help.

One of our most beloved psalms, Psalm 121, begins by saying: “I lift up mine eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” This lifting up of eyes to the hills can reflect two different thoughts. One is a looking to God directly, since God is often worshiped in high places. Another is a looking at life’s challenges – which hills can represent – and being reminded that we need God’s help. In both cases, the hills give us an important perspective.

When we turn scripture’s page and look at Psalm 123, we see a similar message, except that this one directs us right to God. This psalm says: “To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.”

Looking to God for help and direction is always the right thing to do. And we need constant reminding of this, since we tend to try and solve problems on our own instead.

Interestingly, when our problems do improve, we often say: “things are looking up.” But looking up to God is the first thing we should do. That’s because God’s help is the best of all and because no matter how things turn out with our specific concerns, we know that we have his promise of eternal care.

At the end of Mark’s Gospel, when the women go to the tomb after Jesus’ death to anoint his body with spices as an act of honor and mourning, they say to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And Mark then tells us that they “looked up” and “saw that the stone had been rolled back” (16:3-4).

Why did the women look up? Was it because the tomb was at a higher level than they first thought or because their heads were cast down in sorrow? We don’t know.

What we do know is that the language of “looking up” often signals a turning to the Lord. The Lord overcomes things like large stones in front of tombs. More than that, he even overcomes death.

Having now considered the two occasions in today’s reading which tell how Jesus used his eyes, let’s note the two places where Jesus’ eyes are focused. On the first occasion, Jesus’ eyes turned to the crowd in need – which is a focus on earth. On the second, they turned to heaven – which is a focus on God.

There is a lesson for us here. Like Jesus, we are to have our eyes on both earth and heaven.

When we look at the earth, what are we to see? We will see crowds of people, yes, since there are billions of people on earth. But God teaches us to see more than just crowds. God teaches us to see people, and to see them with eyes of compassion.

With these eyes we are to see the world’s great needs of help and healing. We are to see the brokenness and sadness, sin and evil, suffering and injustice, hardship and death. And we are to notice the people afflicted by them.

In one way, we can’t miss all the suffering around us. And that’s because it’s everywhere, including in our own lives.

But having seen it so often, there’s a good chance that we might not really notice it anymore. We may have become numb instead.

Jesus teaches us to see the world with eyes of hope. This is a hope that knows things can be better.

And, Jesus teaches us to see the world with eyes of faith too. This is a faith that knows God loves his people and always wants the best for them.

To help us have a Godly vision for this world, Jesus teaches us to lift up our eyes to the heavens from whence our help comes. When we do this, we will be reminded of God’s great power. Furthermore, we will be reminded of his great vantage point too, through which he always knows the best help to bring.

We will be reminded, as well, of the great and blessed life to come. God has given to his people the promise of heaven, where those who die in the faith live – first in spirit alone, and then in body too, on that great day of resurrection, when Jesus returns and restores creation.

Yes, a Christian lives with one eye on earth and another eye on heaven. We do this to see the earthly needs around us that we can meet, and to keep faith as we endure earth’s challenges.

It occurs to me that if one follows this two-eyed advice literally, they may end up getting cross-eyed. But that’s the desired end, right? Not literally cross-eyed, but with eyes on the cross of Christ.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to his eventual crucifixion – on three occasions – as being “lifted up” (3:14, 8:28, 12:32). In the first of these, he is comparing his crucifixion to the time when Moses lifted up a bronze serpent in the wilderness and whoever “looked” at the serpent when bitten would live (Num. 21:9). In the last of these, he explains that through such lifting he will “draw all people to himself.”

And when John tells the story of the feeding of the 5000, he adds that Jesus said many things afterwards about his identity and mission. To instruct about his identity, Jesus called himself “the bread of life.” And to speak about his mission and how it would be accomplished, Jesus said: “and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh” (6:51).

In that time of teaching, Jesus encouraged people to put their faith in him. And he did this with reference to our eyes, saying: “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (6:40).

That promise of resurrection and eternal life is given to all believers in Christ. And for many of us, that promise was first received by us when we were an infant. It happened at our Baptism, where we were given the Spirit to work faith in our hearts, and where we took on the name of Christ and became a Christian.

It occurred to me as I was preparing this sermon that when I baptize an older child or an adult, I don’t get to see their eyes. Their head is down, facing the font, so that the water will run off them and back into the font. Such posture is not only practical but also very fitting, since it symbolizes a humility, with one bowing in reverence.

But when an infant is baptized, I hold that child with their back and head lying in my arm, which means that their face is looking up. I’ve never given it much thought until now, but my recollection, having done this many times, is that sometimes the infant is looking at me and sometimes the infant is looking back for mom, and that usually the infant isn’t too comfortable but it’s never a look of terror. It’s more like… what are we doing here?

And then, when the water is poured on them, the eyes of that child always pop open a bit. I suppose it’s the water. But I think it’s the Spirit too. The Spirit always opens our eyes. And the Spirit helps us to truly see.

Jesus saw a great crowd one day many years ago, and had compassion on them and healed their sick. And then later, that same day, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. He then broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied.

So it is when Jesus is present with us. He sees our illnesses and heals them out of his great compassion. Then he feeds us and draws our eyes to the holy, so that we can live as he intends us to live.

What we bring to the table in these endeavors is not always so great. But Jesus works on us and multiplies our good efforts.

More importantly, he sends us his Spirit. And gives us his gifts.

As we receive these, may it be our prayer to also receive the healing of our sight, that we may truly share the Lord’s vision for the world and clearly see with eyes of compassion and faith.

In the name of Jesus, our Lord and our Savior. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY     (Stand)       O Living Bread from Heaven                           LSB 642 

1      O living Bread from heaven,
How well You feed your guest!
The gifts that You have given
Have filled my heart with rest.
Oh, wondrous food of blessing,
Oh, cup that heals our woes!
My heart, this gift possessing,
With praises overflows.
 

2      My Lord, You here have led me
To this most holy place
And with Yourself have fed me
The treasures of Your grace;
For You have freely given
What earth could never buy,
The bread of life from heaven,
That now I shall not die.
 

3      You gave me all I wanted;
This food can death destroy.
And You have freely granted
The cup of endless joy.
My Lord, I do not merit
The favor You have shown,
And all my soul and spirit
Bow down before Your throne.
 

4      Lord, grant me then, thus strengthened
With heav’nly food, while here
My course on earth is lengthened,
To serve with holy fear.
And when You call my spirit
To leave this world below,
I enter, through Your merit,
Where joys unmingled flow.
 

OFFERING     

Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the service. 

PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH     

Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Gracious Lord, You have made us children of the promise on account of Your Son. Let Your promises continue to go forward to the ends of the earth, and incline the ears of all to You that their souls may live. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
You call us, O Lord, to come to You and be satisfied. Bless all who serve in the church and all who have received your gift of baptism, that our life together in your name would bring forth abundant fruit in of the world. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, Your Son miraculously fed and satisfied the 5,000. We give thanks for all You provide to support our bodies and lives, especially our homes and families. Make us content with what You give, that we may not covet or turn elsewhere for what comes from Your hand alone. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, through the cross of your dear Son you have given us freedom from sin’s curse, and daily You bless us with abundance. Guide and protect those who defend us from our enemies, those who serve us in government, and those who keep watch over our communities. Bless them so that they may discern right paths and lead us with honor and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, visit us in Your compassion and deliver the sick from their infirmity, the troubled from their afflictions, the grieving from their sorrow, and the dying from their fear. We pray especially for those on our prayer list and those we name in our hearts at this time…  May all who cry to You receive abundant grace according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, as Your Son once fed the crowd with loaves and fish, so he feeds us today with his body and blood. Lead us through faith and repentance to receive these gifts worthily, that we may fully trust in your promises and grow in love toward you and others. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
O God, Your steadfast love and mercy are forever, but our faith is tested daily. Give us strength and endurance through your blessed Word and sacraments, that we may not despair in this life but have confidence in Your sufficient grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
 
Graciously receive our prayers, O Lord, deliver and preserve us, for to You alone we give all glory, honor and worship, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

OFFERTORY                          Create in Me                                                               LSB 956

        Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence;
and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation;
and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.

✠ ✠ ✠

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT 

PREFACE  (Stand)

The Lord be with you.
      And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
      We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
      It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly good, right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord… Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying:

SANCTUS                                                                                                                                                        (LSB 961)

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth;
heav’n and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessèd, blessèd, blessèd is He
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth. In mercy for our fallen world you gave your only Son, that all those who believe in him should not perish but have eternal life. We give thanks to you for the salvation you have prepared for us through Jesus Christ. Send now your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as he comes to us in his holy supper.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD

THE 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.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.

AGNUS DEI                                                                                                                                                    (LSB 962)

Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
grant us Your peace, grant us Your peace, grant us Your peace.
   

THE COMMUNION    (Be seated) 

Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end. 

DISTRIBUTION HYMNS                   Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy                 LSB 774

1      Feed Thy children, God most holy;
Comfort sinners poor and lowly.
O Thou Bread of Life from heaven,
Bless the food Thou here hast given!
As these gifts the body nourish,
May our souls in graces flourish
Till with saints in heav’nly splendor
At Thy feast due thanks we render.
 

                                                      Come unto Me, Ye Weary                               LSB 684

1      “Come unto Me, ye weary,
And I will give you rest.”
O blessèd voice of Jesus,
Which comes to hearts oppressed!
It tells of benediction,
Of pardon, grace, and peace,
Of joy that hath no ending,
Of love that cannot cease.
 

2      “Come unto Me, ye wand’rers,
And I will give you light.”
O loving voice of Jesus,
Which comes to cheer the night!
Our hearts were filled with sadness,
And we had lost our way;
But Thou hast brought us gladness
And songs at break of day.
 

3      “Come unto Me, ye fainting,
And I will give you life.”
O cheering voice of Jesus,
Which comes to aid our strife!
The foe is stern and eager,
The fight is fierce and long;
But Thou hast made us mighty
And stronger than the strong.
 

4      “And whosoever cometh,
I will not cast him out.”
O patient love of Jesus,
Which drives away our doubt,
Which, though we be unworthy
Of love so great and free,
Invites us very sinners
To come, dear Lord, to Thee!
 

NUNC DIMITTIS                                                                                                     LSB 937 

1   Lord, bid Your servant go in peace,
Your word is now fulfilled.
These eyes have seen salvation’s dawn,
This child so long foretold.

2   This is the Savior of the world,
The Gentiles’ promised light,
God’s glory dwelling in our midst,
The joy of Israel.
 

3  With saints of old, with saints to come,
To You we lift our voice;
To Father, Son, and Spirit blest
Be honor, love, and praise
.

PRAYER    (Stand) 

SENDING HYMN                             Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer              LSB 918

1      Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.
 

2      Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery, cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield;
Be Thou still my strength and shield.
 

3      When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death and hell’s destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.

DISMISSAL 

Go in peace.  Serve the Lord.
         Thanks be to God.

 

POSTLUDE                            Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer   Setting: James Marriott

 

FELLOWSHIP: Board of Education

 

Those serving:

Saturday, 5:00 p.m.:

Greeter: Jim Easterly
Reader: Rich Kauzlarich

Sunday, 10:00 a.m.:

Greeter: Jason Starck
Comm. assist: Dan Buuck
Reader: Michael Chamberlain
Acolyte: Noelle Blomster
AV Assistants:  Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck

 

Acknowledgments

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2026 Concordia Publishing House.
944 Kyrie — II Text: Traditional Tune: Russian Orthodox Tune: Public domain
950 Splendor and Honor Text: Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1944 Tune: K. Lee Scott, 1950 Tune: © 1987 K. Lee Scott, admin. MorningStar Music Publishers. Used by  permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
952 Alleluia — II Text: Traditional Tune: Fintan O’Carroll , d. 1977 Tune: © 1985 Fintan O’Carroll and Christopher Walker, admin. OCP Publications. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
956 Create in Me Text: Psalm 51:10–12 Tune: Johann Georg Winer, 1583–1651, adapt. Tune: Public domain
961 Sanctus Text: Traditional; tr. International Consultation on English Texts, alt.
Tune: Mark L. Bender, 1951 Text: © 1975 International Consultation on English Texts. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
962 Agnus Dei — I Text: Traditional; tr. International Consultation on English Texts, alt. Tune: Paul D. Weber, 1949 Text: © 1975 International Consultation on English Texts. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: © 2001 Paul D. Weber. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
“See the Morning Sun Ascending”   Text: Charles Parkin, Music: Unser Herrscher © 1953, by Abingdon Press

711 Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us Text: Hymns for the Young, 1836, 4th ed., London, alt. Tune: William B. Bradbury, 1816–68 Text and tune: Public domain

642 O Living Bread from Heaven Text: Johann Rist, 1607–67; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827–78, alt. Tune: Musae Sioniae, 1609, vol. 7, Wolfenbüttel, ed. Michael Praetorius Text and tune: Public domain

774 Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy Text: Johann Heermann, 1585–1647; tr. The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941 Tune: Johann Crüger, 1598–1662 Text: © 1941 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain

684 Come unto Me, Ye Weary Text: William C. Dix, 1837–98, alt. Tune: Friedrich K. Anthes, 1812–after 1857 Text and tune: Public domain

918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer Text: William Williams, 1717–91, abr.; (st. 1): tr. Peter Williams, 1722–96, alt.; (sts. 2–3): tr. William Williams, 1717–91 Tune: John Hughes, 1873–1932 Text and tune: Public domain

 

  • Share:
St. Pauls

Previous post

天国代价:一切所有
July 30, 2026

Next post

恩典的拣选
August 2, 2026

You may also like

20 August, 2026

Pentecost 13 8.23.26.Alt Set PDF   THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AUGUST 22-23, 2026  IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S! ✠ ✠ ✠ THE ENTRANCE RITE  PRELUDE                        …

Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost 8/16/26
13 August, 2026

Pentecost 12 8.16.26. Alt Set PDF TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AUGUST 16, 2026  IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S! ✠ ✠ ✠ THE ENTRANCE RITE   PRELUDE                      …

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost 8/9/26
6 August, 2026

Pentecost 11 8.8-9.26. Alt Set PDF ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AUGUST 8-9, 2026 IN THE NAME OF JESUS, WELCOME TO ST. PAUL’S! ✠ ✠ ✠ THE ENTRANCE RITE   PRELUDE                                                                                  Earth and All Stars  Setting: Harald Rohlig ENTRANCE HYMN …

Categories

  • Bible Studies
  • Church Happenings
  • Events
  • Pastor Mark's Sermons
  • Pastor Yang's Sermons in English
  • Pastor's Corner
  • Stewardship
  • Worship Themed Activities
  • 杨牧师的主日证道
  • 青年团契

Helpful Links

  • Home
  • Upcoming Events
  • Youth Group
  • Give
  • Directions
  • Contact
  • Staff Login

Pastor's Corner

20Aug2026
上帝不弃绝任何人
16Aug2026

Connect With Us

(703) 573-0295

stpaulsoff@aol.com

7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, Virginia 22043

Copyright 2023 St. Paul's Lutheran Church