SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 29, 2019 ● 8:00 & 10:30 a.m. ● Ascension Lutheran Church ● El Paso, Texas

As We GatherJesus tells a story about a rich man and a poor man. The rich man had an earthly life filled with abundance, and he ignored the poor man who was in misery outside his gate. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus says the issue is not riches but faith and obedience to the Word of God. The fact is there is coming a day when it will be too late. This timely story gives us pause and causes us to think about how we are treating our neighbors in need. It also reminds us, as God’s people, never to trust in our earthly wealth and possessions, but rather to trust always in our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. The Word of God calls each of us to remember that now is the time to listen, to repent and to believe.

T Gathering in God’s Name T

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Prelude

Words of Welcome

Opening Sentences Adapted from Psalm 146P We begin in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.C Amen.P The LORD sets the prisoners free!C He opens the eyes of the blind!P Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.C Blessed is the one whose hope is in the LORD!P Do not put your trust in earthly wealth.C Blessed is the one whose help is the God of Jacob!P The LORD watches over the foreigners among us.P = Pastor C = Congregation A = All R = Reader D = Please rise to sing !1

C The LORD cares for the widows and the orphans.P The LORD will reign forever.C Praise the LORD! (Psalm 28:6-7)

Opening Hymn LSB 730 | “What Is the World to Me”

!

!

!

!

Please stand..

Confession and ForgivenessP Jesus tells us of a rich man and a poor man, whose name was Lazarus. The

rich man ignored Lazarus in life, though Lazarus was right outside his door. How often in our own lives do we ignore those who are outside our door, who are in our own community and in need? How often do we put our trust in riches rather than in our Redeemer? We turn to our heavenly Father to ask His mercy and forgiveness.

!2

Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

P Heavenly Father,C we confess that we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We

confess that we have taken comfort in the riches of this world rather than in the riches of Your kingdom and grace. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive our sins and remove our guilt and shame. Amen.

P Almighty God has shown His love for us in this: He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to die and rise for all people, for the rich and the poor, for you and for me. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C Amen. We are forgiven. Blessed are we for our hope is in the Lord!

Sharing of the Peace

Hymn of Praise LSB 905 | “Come, Thou Almighty King”

Please stand for stanza 4..

D !

!

!

!3

!

Please be seated..

Prayer of the DayP The Lord be with you.C And also with you.P Righteous Lord, You execute justice for the oppressed and cast the mighty

down from their thrones. Lead us through the challenges of this generation so that we bring You glory and love our neighbors as ourselves; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen.

T Listening to God’s Word T

Old Testament Reading Amos 6:1-7

The prophet Amos announces that Israel's great wealth is a cause not for rejoicing but rather sorrow, because God's people have forgotten how to share their wealth with the poor. The wealthy will be the first to go into exile when judgment comes.

1Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come! 2Go to Calneh and look at it; go from there to great Hamath, and then go down to Gath in Philistia. Are they better off than your two kingdoms? Is their land larger than yours? 3You put off the evil day and bring near a reign of terror. 4You lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. 5You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. 6You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph. 7Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile; your feasting and lounging will end.

R This is the Word of the Lord.C Thanks be to God!

!4

Epistle Reading 1 Timothy 6:6-19

Timothy is reminded of the confession he made at his baptism and of its implications for daily life. His priorities will be different from those of people who merely want to be rich. Paul urges Timothy and us to fight the good fight of faith and resist making money our false god.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, Who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in His own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16Who alone is immortal and Who lives in unapproachable light, Whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, Who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

R This is the Word of the Lord.C Thanks be to God!

Please stand in honor of our Lord, Jesus Christ..

Alleluia Verse

� !5

�

Holy Gospel Luke 16:19-31

In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus is terribly direct about the inevitable consequences of people who allow the pursuit of riches to be the highest priority in their life. He admonishes us all to listen to the Word of salvation before it's too late.

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the sixteenth chapter. C

19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 25But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 27He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 29Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C

!6

Please be seated..

Children’s Message

Hymn of the Day Tune: ERHALT UNS, HERR

Poor Lazarus, in hunger yearnedFor crumbs that fell to marbled floors;

While lavish wealth his hunger spurned,The kindly dogs would lick his sores.

We, like the rich man, turn awayFrom needs that meet us at our gate;We eat and drink, we laugh and play,

Our own desires to satiate.Forgive, O Lord, our apathy,

Our lack of mercy, callous greed;Direct our eyes to clearly see

The open mouths which we can feed.Text: Stephen P. Starke; © 1996; Admin. Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Message

Please stand..

T Responding to God’s Grace T

Profession of Faith Apostles’ CreedP Living together in trust and hope, we confess our faith.A I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.

!7

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen.

Please be seated..

OfferingA SPECIAL NOTE: The mission and ministries of Ascension are supported by the love, generosity and sacrificial giving of our members and friends.  If you are a GUEST today, please do not feel obligated to make a contribution, but know that any financial gift which you make will be used to help share Christ’s love and salvation. Our offerings are an important part of our worship. Also, take a moment to fill out a Friendship Card and place it in the offering plate.  Thank you!

Offertory | 8:00 “Create in Me”

!

!

!

!

!

Choral Anthem | 10:30 “Gather Us In”Marty Haugen

Prayer of the Church

!8

P Dear heavenly Father, strengthen us to fight the good fight of faith. Give us boldness and confidence to speak Your Word of mercy and justice in a world that does not care to listen. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.P Lord, give strength and patience to those who are struggling financially.

Raise up people and institutions that will assist them in their struggles. Help us all to look with mercy upon those who need help. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.P Lord, we pray for the government of our nation, our state, and our city. Raise

up faithful leaders who will defend the weak and fight for justice and peace. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.P Lord, look with favor upon all who are sick, injured, and recovering,

(especially . . .). Have mercy upon them and heal them according to Your will. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.P Lord, walk with all those who are grieving the death of loved ones,

(especially . . .). Comfort them with the hope of the resurrection to eternal life. Lord, in Your mercy,

C hear our prayer.P (Other petitions may be offered.) Lord, we commend all of these things

to Your infinite mercies, which are new every morning, through Jesus Christ, our Savior, who has taught us how to pray:

A 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.

Please stand..

T Departing with God’s Blessing T

BenedictionP May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through! May

your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

!9

C Amen.P The almighty and merciful Lord God—Father, T Son, and Holy Spirit—bless

and preserve you.

C Amen.

Parting Hymn LSB 664 | “Fight the Good Fight”

!

!

!

SendingP Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Fight the good fight for the sake of our

Savior and His kingdom!C Thanks be to God!

Postlude

T Exiting to Witness for Christ T

!10

AcknowledgmentsDivine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Parts of this worship service are protected by copyright by Concordia Publishing House and C.C.L. License # 541379. Unless otherwise indicated, scripture is from The Holy Bible, New International Version © 1978 by New York International Bible Society. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

Update: Woman-to-Woman Bible StudyThe Woman-to-Woman Bible Study will now meet at 10:00 am instead of 10:30 am on Tuesday mornings. FlowersThe flowers in the altar area are given by Ed & Judy Stone in honor of the members of the Ascension congregation.

Sign Up to Provide Sunday Flowers for our Sanctuary (Oct 6 & 13 are available!) This is a lovely way to remember birthdays, anniversaries, and loved ones. Both arrangements are $50 or you can split it with another family and you can each take an arrangement home after the late service. Please place your check in the offering plate or drop it off in the church office.

Library !11

This Week at

Ascension Notes – September

Visit your church library Tuesday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings.

Paper Products DonationsDonations of paper products for the Opportunity Center for the homeless & Ysleta Lutheran Mission (paper towels, paper plates, napkins and toilet paper) may be placed in the large plastic bin in the fellowship hall. Thank you!

Adult Bible Class

Pastor Bestian will continue the study on the Book of Acts during Family Bible Hour @ 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. All members & friends of Ascension are encouraged to attend.

Youth Ministry News

Eyewitness evidence is always suspect to possible inaccuracies, inconsistencies and personal agendas . . . join us as we put the Gospels through a series of tests in regards to their accounts of who Jesus is. All youth are encouraged to come downstairs to the Youth Room Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m.

!12

Children’s Sunday School

Gideon’s amazing victory over the enemies of God’s people recorded in Judges 6–7 was the subject of today’s Sunday School lesson. Christ, the light of the world, overcomes the darkness of sin, death, and the devil, even as God overcame Israel’s enemy while the light streamed from the lamps of Gideon’s men. Discuss with your children, “What do you think was the most amazing part of Gideon’s victory? Why is it important that Jesus won the victory over sin and death?”

Interim Sunday School Head Coordinator: Kim BestianPreschool – Kindergarten: Debbie EppersonGrades 1-3: Linda CanadaGrades 4-6: Cheryl Canada

Children’s Sunday School meets in the Children’s Christian Education Wing of the building.

Thank You Ascension!

Thank you so much for your gifts to Soap for Hope! All kinds of soap for those in need will be going to Ysleta Lutheran Mission. Thank you again for your generosity!

LWML Quilt DrawingHave you purchased your tickets for the quilt drawing? Ascension’s Lutheran Women’s (LWML) Group is selling tickets for their annual quilt drawing. This beautiful quilt was handmade and donated by our very own Kay McLeod. The quilt is king size in a lovely

!13

‘Pineapple’ pattern of cream, green and rose. It is on display on the LWML peg board in the fellowship hall. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from any LWML member. Drawing will be after second service on Sunday, December 1. All proceeds from this drawing support the mission work of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

LWML Fall Rally

All ladies of the church are invited to attend the LWML Fall Rally:

Saturday, October 19, 2019, 9:00 am – 2:30 pmZion Lutheran Church Registration: $6 per person

➢ Bible study presented by Rev. Donavon Heithold, Trinity Lutheran Church, Alamogordo, NM

➢ Special Guest from the LWML Rocky Mountain District, Anita Werner, District Planner

➢ District Convention Reports ➢ Singing, Food, Fellowship

Prayer MinistryIf you have a prayer request for the prayer chain, please call Olga Sullivan at 581-1450 or e-mail Jan Schlak at oveja6925@aol.com.

Please call the church office @ 833-1009 to include a prayer request

for the bulletin.

Grieving: We pray for the families of Jerry Lasher, Kay McLeod, Rich Overton and Chuck Woodward (friend of Tito Holguin) as they mourn their deaths.

Missions: Orphan Grain Train & Lutheran Bible TranslatorsImmediate Concerns: Kui Hwa (recovering from heart issues - Christy Mielke’s sister-in-law), Maria Oswald (Inge Wozniak’s mother), Christina Maldonado (Wozniak’s daughter), John Tiedeman (cancer), Scarlett Orwig !14

(leukemia – teammate of Madison Schwitters), Sandra Larrison (heart issues - pastor’s sister), Judy Marxhausen (successful eye surgery - Kim Bestian’s sister-in-law), Jesus Gomez (Alicia Gomez’s father), Pastor Daniel Salinas (heart attack), Candy Gebler (successful rehab), Katy Fredericksen (recovery from brain surgery – friend of Bestians), David Regalado (stroke), Sue Anderson, Christine Dechert (takotsubo cardiomyopathy – niece of Mary Rosenbaum), Martha Neal, Harry Clark, Judie Pinal (successful cancer treatments),  Rosie Aguirre (friend of John Witty - cancer treatment), Aaron Levenhagen (Linda Canada’s nephew – correct diagnosis), Mona Chandler (Alzheimer’s – Harry Clark’s sister), Suzette Barber (knee injury), Cindy McGuire (motorcycle accident), Jerad Knight, Olga Sullivan (Parkinson’s), Judy Freubenburg (Ordella Uhde’s sister-in-law), James Goldsmith, June McClanahan (Pastor’s aunt – pancreatic cancer), Brent Behrens (continued healing after stroke), Pauline Sudnahufski (family of Schwitters’ – hospice care), Natalie Knight, Gloria Garcia (friend of Weyers – heart attack), Tony Evans (ALS diagnosis), Erin Naylor Leach (friend of Hite family – successful rehab), Herb Harper (effective treatment), Lorie Nadelborg (inoperable brain tumor).Ongoing Prayers: Dave Epperson, Bob Gallagher, Ron Spott, Annabelle Leupp, Todd Maki, Jerry Aguilera, Helen Allen, Rick Barber, Eric Bell, Juan Chacon, Peter Chisholm, Ron Cleavenger, Micah Cohen, Josephine DeMartelaere, Julie DeRusha, Humberto Garcia, Angelika Grossnick, Tina Guerrero, Wayne Kendrick, William Peevey, Lenae Rasmussen, Cheryl Rassette, Eloisa Regalado, Gideon Rhodes, Alicia Rich, Paul Robinson, Julio Rodriguez, Gabriella Rubio, Jim Schwab, Garry Simmons, Bill Strickland, Louise Strickland, Anthony Sullivan, Tony Sullivan, Fred Svarney, Jim Swegarden, Jim VanEtten, Greg Vaughan, Grace Wells, Jim Werner, Marge JordanDeployed Troops: Christopher Dahl. Please pray for all deployed troops and their families as they serve our country around the world.

This Week at Ascension

!15

SUNDAY | 298:00 am Worship 9:15 am Family Bible Hour10:30 am Worship 11:45 am Confirmation

MONDAY | 30Church Office Closed

TUESDAY | 110:30 am Woman-to-Woman Bible Study (church)6:30 pm Men’s Bible Study (church)6:30 pm Women’s Bible Study (Wade home)6:45 pm Boy Scouts

WEDNESDAY |28:45 am Preschool Chapel10:00 am Weight Watchers11:15 am Sit & Sew 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY | 39:45 am Women’s Bible Study (Schlak home)7:00 pm Board of Elders

SATURDAY | 58:00 am Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast (church)9:00 am Board of Christian Education10:00 am Board of Children’s Ministry

Bible Study Leaders/Sunday School Teachers & Helpers

At Ascension, there are several opportunities to grow deeper in God’s Word! We thank those teachers, substitute teachers and helpers who give of their time to teach, lead, and facilitate the study of Scripture!

Weekday Bible Study Leaders

!16

Tuesday Women’s Bible Study Anita WernerTuesday Men’s Bible Study Ryden Richardson

Leo Melendez

Woman-to-Woman Bible Study Kim Bestian Thursday Women’s Bible Study Gretchen SchmalzSaturday Men’s Breakfast & Bible Study John Witty

Sunday School Interim Sunday School Head CoordinatorKim Bestian Cradle Roll Coordinator Keri HowellJunior/Senior Youth Bible Study Luz Soto Adult Bible Class & Confirmation Class Pastor Brian BestianSunday School Teachers & Helpers

We are blessed with this year’s Sunday School teachers and helpers: Lynn Burchfield, Cheryl Canada, Linda Canada, Jean DeWitt, Debbie Epperson, Melanie Gallagher, Lauren Hannemann, Keri Howell, Nethia Kelly, Mary Rosenbaum, Jacky Ryberg and Jan Schlak.

If you are so moved by the Holy Spirit to join the teaching team or substitute teach, please talk with Kim Bestian. May God richly bless these willing souls who put much, prayer and preparation into the lessons as they partner with parents!

!17