St Marks Lutheran Church Mt Barker Sermons

Almighty and eternal God, you have given us faith to affirm the glory of the eternal Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and yet worship you as One. Keep us firm in this faith and safe with you forever. For you live and reign, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. Almighty and merciful God, you sent your Holy Spirit at Pentecost, making the disciples bold to preach the good news. Send us out with the power of the same Spirit to spread the fire of your love. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Thank you to Lucas Marsh for leading us in worship this day.

Almighty and eternal God, you have brought back from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep, to call use into his flock through his word. Send us your Holy Spirit so that we may hear the voice of the good Shepherd, we may faithfully follow him, and we may live in his resurrection every day. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

We thank Mark Frost in leading us in worship this service. Let us pray for the assurance of Christ's presence. Almighty and merciful God, you made the disciples glad by the sight of the risen Lord. Remind us that he is always with us, and that we now share in his resurrection. For he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Thank you Andy Traeger for leading us in worship this day. Let us pray for faith in our risen Lord. Merciful God, your Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life, who gives hope and joy to those who doubt. Give to us who do not see you faith and life and blessing, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Spirit of the risen Christ, you dwell among us as we sing, pray, and rejoice in your victory. Because you have conquered death, nothing can separate us from your presence. So, with full hearts and nourished souls, we celebrate this day of extravagant love. Let our worship be a reflection of the feast you have prepared, where no one is left hungry, and all are made whole. May our work in this world bring the table of heaven to earth. We pray this in the name of the bread of life, who was born in a town called House of Bread. Alleluia! Amen.

Holy God, we gather on this Palm Sunday and find ourselves in solidarity with the crowds who shouted for salvation. We know our needs, both individually and collectively. Our hunger for righteousness and justice compels us to proclaim, “Hosanna! Save us!” two thousand years later. As we begin this journey toward the cross, from admiration to despair, we know we are well-nourished for the path ahead. You have prepared us, fed us with love and truth, and refreshed our spirits throughout the Lenten season. Let us carry the spirit of Hosanna in our hearts, ready to serve and love, knowing the journey continues toward resurrection and renewal. May the bread we break, both physical and spiritual, remind us of your presence in every step. Guide us on this path and sustain us for the work ahead. Amen.

Gracious God, as we gather in this season of reflection and repentance, you call us from our hiding places and invite us to the table of grace. You see us in our brokenness and meet us with mercy. You offer us the bread of life that nourishes our souls, heals our wounds, and strengthens us for the journey of faith. In this time of worship, open our hearts to your transforming love and lead us to greater humility and justice. May this sacred time draw us nearer to you and to one another. Amen.

God our daily provider, you call us into community, banish our emptiness, and meet us in ordinary things like our daily bread. As we gather in worship, open our hearts to your voice and our hands to your provision. Teach us to trust in your abundance, to share what we have, and to pray boldly: "Give us this day our daily bread." May this time of worship nourish us with your truth and prepare us to share your love in the world. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Holy God, throughout history you have fed people in body, mind and spirit. As we gather in worship today, we rest in the knowledge that you continue to care for us. We come into this space with complicated lives, different needs, and unique situations. You know all of our longings, and you look at us with compassion and love. Because we know the bread of life, Jesus, is the sustaining source of hope, we lean into this time of worship with expectancy and faith. You have provided for our needs from the beginning, and you will meet us once again today. Amen.

Special thankyou to Bishop Paul Smith for presenting the sermon today. We are privileged to host the installation of Pastor Mark Schultz as LCANZ Assistant to the Bishop, International Mission.

Let us pray for true discipleship. Just and merciful God, you bring down the might from their thrones and lift up the lowly, and you fill the hungry with good things. Teach us to rely on you alone and to hunger for what is right. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lies and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us pray that we will be faithful followers of Jesus. Our Saviour Jesus Christ, you died for our sins and were raised from death, and you call people to follow you. Make us faithful disciples and use us to draw others to you. For you live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us pray for power to say and do what is right. In all our doubts, dangers, and confusion, teach us, Lord what we ought to say and do. Give to us, who can do nothing good without you, the power to speak the truth and do your will. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

We thank Mark Frost in leading us in worship this day. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. In its willingness to be unified in the body of Jesus. In its willingness to accept the complete word of God. In its willingness to come under the authority of its Head (Jesus).

We thank Symon Gogel for leading us in worship this day. Let us pray that we receive God's gifts with joy. Generous God, we thank you for all the good gifts you lavishly pour out on us. Teach us to enjoy what you have given us to the full and bring us at last to the feast with you in eternal joy. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

We thank Pastor David Christian for leading us in worship today.

We pray that people of all nations come to faith in Christ. Eternal God, you led the wise men by the shining of a star and your holy Word to find and to adore your Son. Guide the nations by His light, so that the whole world sees your glory. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

We thank Symon Gogel for leading our service today.

We pray for God to be with us. Stir up your power and come Lord. Support and help us, so that what is hindered by our sins may be hastened by your great mercy. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Let us pray that we receive Christ with joy. Jesus, our promised Messiah, John the Baptist went ahead of you and proclaimed the good news of your coming. Encourage use to receive you with joy as our redeemer and faithfully follow you. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Stir up our hearts, Lord, to prepare the way for your only Son. Help us by his coming to serve you with pure hearts and minds. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us pray that we remain alert for the coming of the Lord. Jesus, Son of God, you have promised to return at a time that no one knows. Keep us watchful in prayer, strong in faith, and active in our response as we wait for you to come. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, govern our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Make us mindful of the end of all things and the day of your just judgment. Stir us up to lead holy lives, and to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us live with you forever. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Stir up, Lord, the wills of your faithful people. Help us to be truly grateful for Christ's sacrifice for us, and help us, in response, to richly bear the fruit of good works as we await the treasures you have for us in heaven. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord, you are the crown and reward of all your saints. Lead us to follow their steps and live as your people and bring us to eternal joy with you. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Almighty and eternal God, in mercy you give the light of your gospel to your church. Keep us in sound teaching, so that we may firmly believe and faithfully follow your saving word, and finally, with its holy comfort, die in peace and joy. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank you that you have again shown your kindness by giving us not just the fruits of the earth in their seasons, but the very fruits of life: faith and love, family and friends, health, food and shelter. Help us to use them rightly, to your glory, for our own wellbeing, and for the relief of those in need. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Please note that the discussion time amongst the congregation referenced in this week's sermon recording was reduced. Let us pray that we do not trust in ourselves but follow Jesus. Our Saviour Jesus, it is through you that we come to God. Do not let us be drawn away from you by the glitter of wealth or lure of pride or the attraction of status or the burdens of daily concerns but make us ready to leave everything and boldly follow you. For you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

These words are the theme of our service today and of the church convention which is meeting in Adelaide in these days. It is based on Ephesians 2:8-10, and on the unity words of Ephesians 4. The very Good News is that through the Holy Spirit we are all baptised into the body of Christ, and saved entirely by grace, as a totally free gift. We are gathered into this one body for a purpose. That purpose is to do the good works of loving God and loving one another. We certainly do not do these Good Works in order to be saved, but as a response to being saved. Jesus calls us to go and live the way of love as we spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, until Jesus comes again. We are called to go until Jesus comes.

We thank Lay reader Mark Frost for leading us in worship this day.

The Cost is paid on the Cross The Cost/Cross is confessed The Cost/Cross is carried until Jesus comes again

Let us pray for persistence in prayer. Generous God, like a loving parent you always welcome us when we come to you. Encourage us to keep on approaching you for whatever we need, knowing that you supply what is best for us. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let us pray for sincerity. Holy and faithful God, keep us from piety and a practice that is only for show. Wash us completely clean, so that what flows out of us may be pure and good. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.