Grace Lutheran Church
Proclaiming the grace of Christ in Word and Sacrament
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
✠ September 14th, 2025 ✠
3410 Community Church Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
Feast of the Holy Cross
September 14th, 2025
Our service begins with the ringing of bells. Please stand, as you are able, as indicated by *
* Entrance Hymn: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” LBW #104
* Confession & Forgiveness
P: In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit
C: Amen. Matthew 28:19
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: 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:
C: Amen
P: Beloved in the Lord: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: Most merciful God,
C: We confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you 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, we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
P: Almighty God, in His mercy, has given His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, and for His sake, He forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the Church of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
C: Amen John 20:22
* Introit
P: We should glory in the Cross of our Lord / Jesus Christ,*
In whom is our life, salvation, and resurrection,
Through whom we are saved / and delivered.
God be merciful to / us and bless us, *
Let your face / shine upon us.
C: Glory to the Father, and to the + Son, and to the / Holy Spirit,*
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore- / ver, Amen.
P: We should glory in the Cross of our Lord / Jesus Christ,*
In whom is our life, salvation, and resurrection,
Through whom we are saved / and delivered.
Galatians 6:14; Psalm 67:1
* Kyrie (chanted)
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy Mark 10:47
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
* Hymn of Praise
P: This is the feast of victory for our God, Alleluia!
C: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
Whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
And honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God, Alleluia!
Sing with all the people of God,
And join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
Be to God and the Lamb forever, Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God
For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia, alleluia. Revelation 5:12-14
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you. Ruth 2:4; 2 Timothy 4:22
* Collect of the Day
P: Almighty God, Your Son Jesus Christ was lifted high upon the cross so that he might draw the whole world to himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our salvation may also glory in His call to take up our cross and follow Him; Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen. John 12:32; Matthew 16:24
The First Reading: Isaiah 45:21-25
21 “Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the Lord? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. 22 Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’
24 “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. 25 In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalm 98:1-5
1 Oh, sing to the Lord / a new song!*
For He has done marvelous things;
His right hand and His holy arm have gained / Him the victory.
2 The Lord has made known / His salvation;*
His righteousness He has revealed in the sight / of the nations.
3 He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the / house of Israel;*
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation / of our God.
4 Shout joyfully to the Lord, / all the earth;*
Break forth in song, rejoice / and sing praises.
5 Sing to the Lord / with the harp,*
With the harp and the sound / of a psalm
All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the / Holy Spirit,*
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be fore-/ver, Amen.
P: Almighty God, we sing to You a new song, for Your marvelous deeds and victory are ever new. Give us voices to always praise You and to speak with love toward others, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-24
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Please stand as you are able for the Holy Gospel
* Gospel Acclamation
All: Alleluia, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia John 6:68
* Gospel Hymn: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” (verses 1-2) LBW #98
On Feast Days, the Holy Gospel is brought to the center aisle. The Gospel hymn will be divided before and after the Holy Gospel.
A: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Saint John.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
* The Holy Gospel: John 12:20-33
20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 27 Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
A: This is the Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ
* Gospel Hymn: “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed” (verses 3-5) LBW # 98
Please remain standing for the Nicene Creed
* The Nicene Creed Romans 10:9-10
All: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light,
True God from true God, begotten, not made,
Of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven;
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
He became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
And his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church
We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
And the life of the world to come. Amen.
You may be seated
Children’s Message
The Sermon Rev. Matt Knuppel
After the sermon, please stand for the Votum, the Post-Sermon benediction
* The Votum
P: May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
C: Amen Philippians 4:7
* Hymn: “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” LBW #107
* Prayers of the Church
A: Lord, in your mercy
C: Hear our prayer
After the Prayers:
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your abundant mercy through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
C: Amen
* The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you. John 20:19
Members of the gathered assembly are invited to greet one another, saying: “Peace be with you.”
Offertory
After the gifts have been collected from the assembly, please stand.
All: Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord,
And fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather the harvest from the seeds that were sown,
That we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all,
Unite them with our prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence,
And give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
* Holy Communion Liturgy
P: Let us pray: Merciful Father…
C: We offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us – ourselves, 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.
* The Great Thanksgiving
P: The Lord be with you
C: And also with you
P: Lift up your hearts
C: We lift them to the Lord
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise
P: It is indeed right and salutary…we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Isaiah 6:3
Hosanna in the highest
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosanna in the highest. Matthew 21:9
*The Words of Institution
P: Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father…For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
C: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Matthew 26:26-28
P: Therefore, gracious Father, with this bread and cup, we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And believing the witness of his resurrection, we await his coming in power to share with us the great and promised feast. Revelation 19:9
C: Amen. Come, Lord, Jesus.
P: Send now, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, the spirit of our Lord and of his resurrection, that we who receive the Lord’s body and blood may live to the praise of your glory and receive our inheritance with all your saints in light. Colossians 1:19
C: Amen. Come, Holy Spirit
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all. Hebrews 4:14
* Doxology
P: Through Him, with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is Yours, Almighty Father, now and forever,
C: Amen. John 14:6
* The Lord’s Prayer
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. Matthew 6:9-13
Agnus Dei
C: 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 peace, grant us peace. John 1:29
All who are baptized and share in our confession that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion are invited to the altar with us. After receiving the bread, those who wish to dip the bread into the wine may proceed to the right chalice; those who wish to drink from the common cup may proceed to the left chalice.
Anyone is welcome to come forward with their arms folded to receive a blessing from the minister.
After the celebration of Holy Communion, the minister will ask the assembly to stand
P: May the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen
*Post-Communion Canticle
C: Thank the Lord and sing His praise
Tell everyone what He has done
Let everyone who seeks the Lord
Rejoice and proudly bear His name
He recalls His promises
And leads His people forth in joy
With shouts of thanksgiving
Alleluia, Alleluia
P: Let us pray…through Jesus Christ our Lord:
C: Amen
* The Benediction
P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
C: Amen
* Exit Hymn: “Lift High the Cross” LBW #377
* Dismissal
A: Go in peace, serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Alter flowers are given in
loving memory of Virginia S. Watson.
Welcome to our Visitors!
Grace Lutheran Church welcomes you this morning! We value families with children and encourage you to worship together; if you would like assistance during the sermon, we have volunteers who will be happy to take your child to a Nursery Area following the Children’s Message, they will return your child to you in the sanctuary just before Holy Communion. Please fill out a Visitor Connect card, these are found either on the entrance table or in the pew rack in front of you. Completed cards should be placed in the offering plate and will be collected with the offering today.
Sunday School
All are welcome to attend the adult Sunday School class before worship beginning at 8:45.
Holy Communion
Those who are baptized and believe that Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, is truly present in the forms of bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation, are welcome to the Lord’s Table. Please let the Pastor know that you wish to receive this gift of life by holding out your open hands. If you desire to drink the wine from the common cup, please proceed to the left chalice after receiving the wafer. If you prefer to dip the wafer into the wine, please proceed to the right chalice after receiving the wafer. You are encouraged to bring young children forward for a blessing. The sign for a blessing is folded hands.
Disciples in Service next Sunday, September 14th
Ushers: Richard Maxey, Marc Voigt
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Debbie Voigt
Acolyte: Roman Hurst Crucifer: Ruby Hurst
Servers: Dena Anderson, Nicole Hurst
Altar Guild: Linda Nuckols
Disciples in Service next Sunday, September 21st
Ushers: Rik Maxey, Rob Maxey
Organist: John Trotta Lay Reader: Dorothea Clapper
Acolyte: James Clapper Crucifer: Ashley Hurst
Servers: John Kollmeyer, Sherry Hurst
Altar Guild: Debbie Barrett