Grace Lutheran Church
Proclaiming the grace of Christ in Word and Sacrament
Feast of Saints Peter & Paul
✠ June 29th, 2025 ✠
3410 Community Church Road
Pfa
town, NC 27040
Feast of Saints Peter and Paul
June 29th, 2025
Our service begins with the ringing of bells. Please stand, as you are able, as indicated by *
- Entrance Hymn: “Glories of Your Name Are Spoken” LBW #358
- 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.
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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: Now I am sure that the Lord has /sent His Angel,*
And has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the
expectations of the people / of the Jews
O LORD, You have searched / me and known me. *
You know my sitting down and my / rising up.
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: Now I am sure that the Lord has /sent His Angel, *
And has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the
expectations of the people / of the Jews.
Acts 12:11; Psalm 139
- 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
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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, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified You by their
martyrdom; Grant that Your Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit
together in unity by Your Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is
Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever, Amen. 1 Corinthians 3:11; 4:16
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The First Reading: Acts 12:1-11
1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the
church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that
it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of
Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering
him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to
bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him
was made to God by the church.
6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping
between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were
guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light
shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.”
And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put
on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you
and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was
being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they
had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the
city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one
street, and immediately the angel left him.
11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his
angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people
were expecting.”
L: This is the Word of the Lord
C: Thanks be to God
Psalm 34:1-9
1 I will bless the LORD / at all times;*
his praise shall continually be / in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast / in the LORD;*
let the af licted hear / and be glad.
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3 O magnify the / LORD with me,*
and let us exalt his / name together!
4 I sought the LORD, and he / answered me,*
and delivered me from / all my fears.
5 Look to him / and be radiant;*
so your faces shall never / be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and / the LORD heard him,*
and saved him out of / all his troubles.
7 The angel of the / LORD encamps*
around those who fear him / and delivers them.
8 O taste and see that the / LORD is good!*
Happy is the man who takes re- / fuge in him!
9 O fear the LORD / you his saints,*
for those who fear him / have no want!
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: Lord, graciously hear us, for we seek you alone. Calm our bodies and minds
with the peace which passes understanding, and make us radiant with joy;
through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen
The Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8; 17-18
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure
has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the
Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also
to all who have loved his appearing. 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened
me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles
might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me
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from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the
glory forever and ever. Amen.
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: “The Head That Once Was Crowned” (verses 1-3) LBW #173
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 Matthew
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
- The Holy Gospel: Matthew 16:13-19
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the
Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to
them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon
Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in
heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
A: This is the Gospel of our Lord
C: Praise to You, O Christ
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- Gospel Hymn: “The Head That Once Was Crowned” (verses 4-6) LBW # 173
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
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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: “Faith of Our Fathers” LBW #500
- 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.
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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 of er.
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
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*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.
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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
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- 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: “The Church’s One Foundation” LBW #369
- Dismissal
A: Go in peace, serve the Lord
C: Thanks be to God