St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Westfield

The Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs, Pastor

The Rev. Arturo G. Mendez, Associate Pastor

21434 E. Hardy Rd., Houston, TX 77073	281-443-2304 or 281-443-8463

www.stmatthewlcms.com	office.smlcw@gmail.com

Pastor Bogs' Contact Info:	Pastor Mendez's Contact Info:

Cell Phone: 832-515-4830	Cell Phone: 832-883-1705

pastorbogs.smlcw@gmail.com	pastormendez.smlcw@gmail.com

The 14th Sunday After Pentecost

September 11, 2022

Color of the Day: Green - suggesting spiritual growth and maturity.
There is nothing colorless about our need to grow and mature as
disciples of Jesus Christ. That's why the "green meadow" time of the
church year is so lengthy. Time must be given to encourage all
worshipers to maintain their faith through the constant use of God's
means of grace.

Opening Hymn	#569 - In Adam We Have All Been One

Confession and Absolution	Page 167

Service of the Word

Introit	Page 168

Ps. 30: 2-5; antiphon: Ps. 30:11a, 12b

You have turned for me my mourning into | dancing;*

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you for- | ever!

O LORD my God, I cried to | you for help,*

and you have | healed me.

O LORD, you have brought up my soul | from Sheol;*

you restored me to life from among those who go down | to the pit.

Sing praises to the LORD, O | you his saints,*

and give thanks to his | holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a | lifetime.*

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the | morning.

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.

You have turned for me my mourning into | dancing;*

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you for- | ever!

Kyrie	Page 168

Hymn of Praise (Gloria in Excelsis)	Page 170

Salutation & Collect of the Day	Page 172

Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd, without whom nothing is secure. Rescue and preserve us that we may not be lost forever but follow You, rejoicing in the way that leads to eternal life; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Old Testament Reading	Page 172

Ezekiel 34:11–24

11"For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. 12As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land. And I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the ravines, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14I will feed them with good pasture, and on the mountain heights of Israel shall be their grazing land. There they shall lie down in good grazing land, and on rich pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel. 15I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD.

16I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice." 17"As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and male goats. 18Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, that you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture; and to drink of clear water, that you must muddy the rest of the water with your feet? 19And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have muddied with your feet?

20"Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: Behold, I, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21Because you push with side and shoulder, and thrust at all the weak with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad, 22I will rescue my flock; they shall no longer be a prey. And I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them. I am the LORD; I have spoken.

Gradual	Page 172

Ps. 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 Reading	Page 172

1 Timothy 1:5–17

5The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. 8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

12I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, 13though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 17To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia & Verse (Common)	Page 173

Holy Gospel	Page 173

Luke 15:1–10

1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear [Jesus].

2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."

3So he told them this parable: 4"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8"Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Children's Message

Hymn of the Day	#609 – Jesus Sinner Doth Recieve

The Sermon	Forgiven and Forgiving - Luke 15: 1-10

Want to read along, miss a sermon, need some inspiration, need a review of church doctrine? Check out Pastor Bogs' blog at: rabswritings.blogspot.com or Pastor Mendez's blog at: pastormendez.blogspot.com.

Introduction

I remember in the 60's .

On Losing

We live in a .

You cannot lose what .

You cannot lose what .

On Being Found

One of the difficulties of being lost is .

Back in the Garden of Eden .

We cannot find ourselves by .

The Celebration

It is a come as you party.

It is not a stay as you party.

The Third Parable

The third parable .

The parables together .

God cares .

In the Old Testament reading .

What wonderful news .

Other Notes or Questions for Pastor:

Creed	Page 174/175

Prayer of the Church & Offering	Page 175

Our First Fruits and Tithes are our regular, top priority, proportionate, grateful gifts to the Lord for the work of the Gospel. Our Offerings are special gifts for special causes over and above our tithes. This is an act of worship for members and friends of St. Matthew who are moved by God's love to respond to the Gospel. Guests should not feel obligated to participate.

Offertory	Page 176

Service of the Sacrament

Preface	Page 177

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, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. 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 & Prayer of Thanksgiving	Page 178

Lord's Prayer and The Words of Our Lord	Page 179

Pax Domini and Agnus Dei	Page 180

Distribution	Page 181

Before partaking of the Lord's Supper, we ask that you read our communion statement on the pew insert behind the Bible. Thank you.

Distribution Hymns	#740 – I Am Jesus' Little Lamb

#839 – O Christ, Our True and Only Light

#709 - The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Post-Communion Canticle (Thank the Lord)	Page 181

Post-Communion Collect and Benediction	Page 183

Closing Hymn	#717 - Eternal Father, Strong to Save