Pastor Sullivan's Blog

In the Name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. What makes a person a sheep? It’s tempting to look at Christ’s parable with a quick glance and answer, “Works!” And this is how many see it when Christ commends the good works of the sheep. “ I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. ” “Do this and inherit the kingdom.” But their works aren’t what makes these people into lambs of the Lord Jesus. They are sheep because during their earthly lives they heard the voice of the Good Shepherd and believed His word. In Joh n 10:26-28 Jesus tells the Jews, “ But you do not believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand. ” The P...

Order of Holy Communion -  Pg. 15 Hymn #  417 How Can I Thank Thee, Lord Hymn #  441 We Give Thee But Thine Own Hymn #  425 All Depends on Our Possessing Introit Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life. He will repay my enemies for their evil. Cut them off in Your truth, O Lord. ( Psalm 54:4–5 ) Save me, O God, by Your name: And vindicate me by Your strength. Hear my prayer, O God; Give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen up against me: They have not set God before them. For He has delivered me out of all trouble; And my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies. ( Psalm 54:1, 2-3, 7) Readings 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 Luke 16:1-9 Collect for the 9th Sunday after Trinity Let Thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of Thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions, make them to ask such things as shall please Thee; through Jesus...

Order of Holy Communion - Pg. 15 Hymn # 91 Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord Hymn # 611 The Day Is Surely Drawing Near Hymn # 53 Abide, O Dearest Jesus   Introit - 83   Readings Isaiah 40:9-11 2 Peter 3:3-14 Matthew 25:31-46   Collect for Trinity XXVI O God, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by Thy Holy Spirit that, being ever mindful of the end of all things and the day of Thy just judgment, we may be stirred up to holiness of living here and dwell with Thee forever hereafter; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.   Sermon on the Holy Gospel Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 1)         When Christ returns on the Last Day, then we will experience what we confess each week in the Creed, that, “He shall come again with glory to judge both t...