​​​​​​​​​​​​​19TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2025

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ANNIVERSARY BLESSING

Gracious God we give thanks as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Holy Spirit
     Lutheran Church and the journey that started so many years ago – and so many
     plans ago – and so many dreams ago. We celebrate all the joys that have been
     birthed in these 75 years.

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INTRODUCTION​

Pray always. Do not lose heart. This is Christ’s encouragement in the gospel
     today. Wrestle with the word. Remember your baptism again and again. Come regularly
     to Christ’s table. Persistence in our every encounter with the divine will be blessed.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our  
     cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring
     justice for all this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.​

FIRST READING

GENESIS 32:22-31
Returning to the home he had fled many years before after stealing his brother’s
     birthright and his father’s blessing, Jacob wrestles all night long with a divine
     adversary who ultimately blesses him and changes his name to “Israel,” a name
     that means “he wrestles with God.”

22 The same night [Jacob] got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his
     eleven children and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent
     them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left
     alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he
     did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket, and Jacob’s hip
     was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the
     day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.”
     27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then the
     man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven
     with God and with humans and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him,
     “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And
     there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have
     seen God face to face, yet my life is preserved.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he
     passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

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PSALM

PSALM 121
(Response) My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills;
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 The Lord will not let your foot be moved
nor will the one who watches over you fall asleep.
4 Behold, the keeper of Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep;
(Response) My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)

5 the Lord watches over you;
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
  6 the sun will not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
  7 The Lord will preserve you from all evil
and will keep your life.
8 The Lord will watch over your going out and your coming in,
from this time forth forevermore.
(Response) My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. (Ps. 121:2)

SECOND READING

2ND TIMOTHY 3:14--4:5
The writer of this letter continues his instruction of Timothy, his younger colleague
     in ministry, by emphasizing the importance of faithful teaching despite opposition.

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing
     from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have known sacred
     writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
     16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for
     correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that the person of God may be
     proficient, equipped for every good work.

     4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the
     dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you:
     2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or
     unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in
     teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound
     teaching, but, having their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves
     teachers to suit their own desires 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth
     and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, be sober in everything, endure
     suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

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​​​​GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. The word of God is living and active, able to judge the thoughts
     and intentions of the heart. Alleluia. (Heb. 4:12)

GOSPEL READING

LUKE 18:1-8
Jesus tells a parable of an unjust judge who is worn down by a widow’s pleas.
     Jesus is calling God’s people to cry out for justice and deliverance. For if an
     unethical judge will ultimately grant the plea of a persistent widow, how much
     more will God respond to those who call.

1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose
     heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor
     had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him
     and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my accuser.’ 4 For a while he refused, but
     later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone,
     5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she
     may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to
     what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones
     who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he
    will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he
    find faith on earth?”

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LICENSES & EXPIRATION DATES
Worship Service Content is used via permission through Augsburg Fortress Liturgies

Annual License #SB144368. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 2/28/2026.
Our Hymns and Worship Music are used via permission through CCLI One
License #11327166. The next Subscription Renewal Date is 1/31/2026.

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​SERMONS​
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