st. john’s evangelical -09...2011/09/20 · the l ord said to me, “go, show your love to your...
TRANSCRIPT
St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
Welcome to our visitors!
It is our hope and prayer that the message you hear today from God’s Word
will fill your heart with the peace that only God can offer and the joy we have in
knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior from sin.
Large print service folders and children’s bulletins are available from an usher.
Worship Notes
Altar flowers are placed by Tom & Loris Gabel in celebration of their 56th
wedding anniversary and in thanks for blessings received.
We thank the following for serving as St. John’s 2016-17 Sunday School and
Teen Ministry teachers: Naomi Stein & Jenny Greggs (K3); Jessie & Lorna
Leyrer (K4); Brenda Jashinsky & Katie Gnat (K5); Kim Dvorachek (Grades 1-2);
Kurt Kostrzewa (Grades 3-4); Melissa Gregory & Katie Chavez (Grades 5-7);
Brian & Tracey Lampe (Grades 8-12)
We thank the following for serving as St. John’s 2016-17 Chinese teachers:
Mary Groth and Kurt Meingast.
Unity Sunday
September 11, 2016
Rooted and Growing: United in love for the lost.
Prelude
Opening Hymn From All that Dwell below the Skies (see pg. 14)
Please stand to sing the final stanza Christian Worship 250
M: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION OF SINS
M: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father,
asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed
you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is
good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry
for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a
sinner.
A quick scan of the gymnasium this morning reveals the many differences among the members of
St. John’s. Some are young; others are only young at heart. Some work in offices; others work in
factories. For many, English is their first and only language; others are more comfortable speaking
Mandarin. In spite of these differences and all the things that could separate and divide us, we stand
united. As Christians, we are united by a common faith and we share a common goal. And we gather
for worship on this special occasion to celebrate the unity that is ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
pg. 4
Kyrie
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life. Refrain (stanza 1)
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins. Refrain (stanza 2)
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood. Refrain (stanza 3)
Refrain:
M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning
sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you
all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
PRAYER AND PRAISE
M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.
Kyrie: The Kyrie (translated from Greek as “Lord, have mercy/Christ, have mercy”) has been used
as a response by the Christian church since ancient times. We sing the Kyrie as a penitential plea for
forgiveness to the triune God. The congregation is invited to join in singing the refrains as marked.
pg. 5
The choir will introduce the refrain by singing it once, the congregation will immediately repeat the
refrain and sing the refrain again as indicated in bold.
Refrain:
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Refrain
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God,
You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer. Refrain
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Refrain (sung twice)
Prayer of the Day
M: Let us pray:
Lord, we pray that your mercy and grace may always go before and follow after us that, loving
you with undivided hearts, we may be ready for every good and useful work; through your
Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now
and forever.
C: Amen.
Be seated
pg. 6
THE WORD
First Lesson Hosea 3:1-5
God will bring back his straying people.
The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and
is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the
sacred raisin cakes.”
So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told
her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and
I will live with you.”
For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones,
without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their
king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.
Response to the Word We Sing the Mighty Power of God
Adult Choir arranged by Hal Hopson
We sing the mighty pow’r of God,
That made the mountains rise,
That spread the flowing seas abroad,
And built the lofty skies.
We sing the wisdom that ordained
The sun to rule the day;
The moon shines full at God’s command,
And all the stars obey.
We sing the goodness of the Lord,
That filled the earth with food,
God formed the creatures with a word,
And then pronounced them good.
Lord, how thy wonders are displayed,
Where’er we turn our eyes,
If we survey the ground we tread
Or gaze upon the skies.
pg. 7
There’s not a plant or flow’r below,
But makes thy glories known,
And clouds arise, and tempests blow,
By order from thy throne;
While all that borrows life from thee
Is ever in thy care;
And everywhere that we can be,
Thou, God, are present there.
Sing alleluia, praise the Lord!
Second Lesson 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
God offers forgiveness for the repentant sinner.
If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some
extent – not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him.
Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive
sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you
would stand the test and be obedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what
I have forgiven – if there was anything to forgive – I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake,
in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Response to the Word Come, Christians, Join to Sing
Adult & Children’s Choirs setting by John A. Behnke
Come, Christians, join to sing: alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ the King: alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice, before the throne rejoice;
Praise is his gracious choice: alleluia! Amen!
Come, lift your hearts on high: alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky: alleluia! Amen!
He is our guide and friend; to us he’ll condescend;
His love shall never end: alleluia! Amen!
Praise yet the Lord again: alleluia! Amen!
Life shall not end the strain: alleluia! Amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore his goodness we’ll adore,
Singing forevermore: alleluia! Amen!
pg. 8
Please stand
Gospel Lesson Luke 15:1-10
Jesus seeks the lost.
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and
the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.
Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And
when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and
neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same
way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous
persons who do not need to repent.
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the
house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors
together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is
rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise be to you, O Christ.
Be seated
Response to the Word I Will Praise You, O Lord
Children’s Choir by Mark Patterson
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In ev’ry song I sing I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In the things that I do, in the words that I say,
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.
I will serve you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In ev’rything I do now I will serve you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In the things that I do, in the words that I say,
I will serve you, O Lord, with all my heart.
pg. 9
Lord, I will sing of your goodness and grace.
Lord, I will tell of your glory.
Lord, I will love you and serve you more each day,
With all my heart, O Lord, I give you praise.
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In ev’ry song I sing I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.
In the things that I do, in the words that I say,
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.
Hymn of the Day Jesus Sinners Does Receive (see pg. 15)
Christian Worship 304
Sermon Luke 15:1-10
That Which Unites Us
Please stand
Apostles’ Creed
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he
will come to judge the living and the dead.
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 everlasting. Amen.
Be seated
Offering
The members of St. John’s have joined together to do the Lord’s work in our community
and around the world, and our offerings are a joyful response of our faith. If you are a
visitor today, you are welcome but not obligated to give an offering.
pg. 10
Adult Handbell Choir How Great Thou Art
arranged by Michael Helman
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hand hath made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy pow’r throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee, “How great thou art! How great thou art!”
Then sings my soul, my Savior-God, to thee, “How great thou art! How great thou art!”
This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.
Installation of Sunday School and Chinese teachers
Please stand
Prayer of the Church
M: Our God in heaven, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank you for the precious Christian
fellowship we are now enjoying in your name.
C: We thank you for the privilege of worshiping you, the true and only God.
M: Heavenly Father, give us all a sincere longing to assemble in your name, to worship you, and
to be edified by the preaching and teaching of your Word.
C: We thank you for the privilege of hearing your Word by which we grow in faith toward a
better understanding of your love.
M: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to cling to you in true faith as our Savior and Lord.
C: We thank you for loving us and redeeming us from our sins with your own precious
blood.
M: Holy Spirit, open our hearts to the Word of truth spoken here today. Cause us to mature in our
faith and give us a deeper love for our God and for one another.
C: We thank you for giving us the grace to praise you continually with our whole lives. Give
us a desire only for those things which are righteous and good.
pg. 11
M: Lord God, grant us the gifts of patience, kindness, and gentleness that we may help family and
neighbor, that we may be forgiving, and that we may live in peace with all people.
C: We thank you for bringing us together to lift our voices in praise. Bless us as we glorify
you and comfort and strengthen one another.
M: God our Protector, on this September 11 anniversary we pray for our nation and its people.
Continue to bring peace and healing to all those affected by the events of 2001. Remind us that
in spite of the evil present in this sinful world, you are always in control. Still our souls, calm
our fears, and lift our hearts by your promises to never leave us or forsake us.
C: We thank you that one day, you will take us to heaven to live forever in peace and
perfection.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow
M: We thank you for this opportunity to gather around your Word as one Christian family. Let
your kingdom come to us and others, so that we and many more might join the assembly of
saints and angels to sing your praise forever.
C: Savior of all, hear our prayer and help us in our mission. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
C: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory
are yours now and forever. Amen.
Be seated
Hymn How Firm a Foundation (see pg. 16)
Christian Worship Supplement 768
Please stand
pg. 12
M: God our Father, your Son Jesus prayed that his followers might be one. Make your Church one
with him as he is one with you, so that in unity and peace we may carry the message of your
love to the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with
gladness.
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the
dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for
doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom
be glory forever and ever.
C: Amen.
Be seated
Closing Hymn Christ Is Our Cornerstone (see pg. 18)
Christian Worship 528
Announcements
Postlude
Following the service, refreshments will be served in the commons area.
Readings for the Week of Pentecost 17
M Lamentations 3:22-33………………………………………. 2 Samuel 12:19-23
T Hebrews 12:4-11…….….………………………………….. James 1:2-12
W Job 2:1-10…………………………………………………… James 5:7-11
TH Ephesians 6:18-20………………………………………….. Mark 6:14-29
F Hebrews 10:35-39………………………………………….. Isaiah 49:14-21
S Luke 21:10-29………………………………………………. Revelation 2:8-11
pg. 13
Serving at Worship
Preacher Pastor Joel Leyrer
Presiding Minister Pastor Kyle Bitter
Lectors Pastor Eric Schroeder
Pastor Joshua Yu
Pianist Lynn Kozlowski
Adult Choir Director Dr. William Braun
Children’s Choir Director Mandy Treder
Handbell Choir Director Kristi Meyer
Head Ushers Mark Naumann, Matt Bahr and Jon Johnson
Acknowledgements (reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709971, all rights reserved)
“From All that Dwell Below the Skies” Text and tune public domain.
Jesus, the Compassion of God (Kyrie and Gloria) © 1999 GIA Publications, Inc.
“We Sing the Mighty Power of God” Text public domain.
“Come, Christians, Join to Sing” Text © 2003 Morningstar Music Publications/Birnamwood
Publications.
“I Will Praise You, O Lord” Text © 2000 Choristers Guild.
“Jesus Sinners Does Receive” Text and tune public domain.
“How Great Thou Art” Text © 1949, 1953 The Stuart Hine Trust, administered by Hope
Publishing Company.
“This Is My Father’s World” Text public domain.
“How Firm a Foundation” Text and tune public domain.
“Christ Is Our Cornerstone” Text and tune public domain.
pg. 14
pg. 15
pg. 16
pg. 17
pg. 18
pg. 19
Sunday Bible Classes New Sunday Bible Classes and Sunday School begin next Sunday at 9:15 AM.
A staffed nursery is available during Bible class.
The Hard Sayings of Jesus
Taught by Pastor Jim Behringer (WELS Special Ministries)
in the Fellowship Hall
Jesus said some things that are hard to understand without pondering them. The hard sayings of Jesus
are statements that are also hard to forget – because they make us think. They give us hope when we’ve
forgotten all the bland religious clichés people tell us. Join Pastor Behringer of WELS Special
Ministries for a look at difficult words that Jesus taught. There is a book available from Northwestern
Publishing House and a supplemental course based on it for those who may be interested: Hard Sayings
of Jesus: Embracing His Words of Life.
Forgiveness and Addiction
Taught by Pastor Philip Merten (Wisconsin Lutheran Institutional Ministries)
in the School Lecture Room
Join us for a short, 3-week Bible study on how to achieve forgiveness throughout daily life and in times
of struggle, and understanding and examining addiction.
The Wonders of God – Bible Information Class
Taught by the Pastoral Staff
in the St. Matthew’s Room
This course provides a general overview of the Bible, touches upon every major Christine doctrine, and
supplies a solid understanding of what we confess and believe as a confessional Lutheran Church. Since
it provides the foundation for a deeper relationship with God, we encourage both members and non-
members to attend. Please note there will also be some week-night evening classes.