Third Sunday of End Time: Saints Triumphant November 15 th & 18 th, 2018

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1 The Biblical Practice of Close Communion Through the apostle Paul, God speaks of his desire for all of us to reach perfect unity (Ephesians 4:12,13). We members of St. John Congregation certainly share his desire. We seek to express that unity with our current members, with those who desire membership, and also with Christians around the world. Third Sunday of End Time: Saints Triumphant November 15 th & 18 th, 2018 Scripture speaks of two different types of unity. First, Christ has reconciled every single one of us to God through his perfect life and death on our behalf. Even now, God considers us saints and heirs of heaven, clothed with Christ s righteousness. You might think of this as a vertical unity purely between the individual and his or her God. Through Christ, peace with God has been restored. Then, there s also an outward and public unity a horizontal unity as fellow saints worship sideby-side. The celebration of Holy Communion is guided by both types. For communion to be celebrated in a beneficial way, those attending will come united with their God and also with their fellow-communicants. The former is established by repentance a sorrow over sin and a trust in God s forgiveness that he himself produces. It s a matter of the heart. The latter is established by the outward confession of what each of us believes. It s a matter of the mouth. We do not presume to look into the heart, for only God is able to do that. We do, however, seek to establish outward unity by studying God s Word together so that we share a common confession. Our congregation offers a Bible study course that s designed for just that purpose. And so, out of love for God and his Word, we kindly ask that all visitors speak with the pastor about how we can establish that outward unity prior to your attending Holy Communion here at St. John. We desire to make that goal a priority, so that you may receive the Sacrament as soon as possible. May God bless your hearing of the Word today as he reminds you of his full and free forgiveness in Christ! St. John Ev. Lutheran Church & School 437 Turner Street, Wrightstown WI, Pastor Mike Gehl (pastorgehl@gmail.com)... (920) Church Office (church@stjlw.com)... (920) School Office (stjlsw@gmail.com)... (920) Mr. Timothy Raddatz, Principal, Grades (920) Mrs. Jennifer Bunn, Grades (920) Mrs. Rebecca Wicks, Grades K-1... (920) Miss. Jamie Buss, Pre-K... (920) Mrs. Alexa Foelske, Preschool... (920) Gary Brandt, Church President (gbrandt2@hotmail.com)... (920) Fox Valley Lutheran High School... (920)

2 Welcome! News & Notes We extend a very warm and friendly welcome to all who ve joined us for worship today. We pray that the God of grace, who sent his Son to save you and who proved his love for you by raising him from the dead, will fill your heart with joy in knowing that your salvation has been made sure through Jesus. May God bless your worship! If you re a guest with us this morning, please sign the Friendship Register in your row, checking any applicable boxes. If you need assistance of any kind, don t hesitate to ask one of the ushers. If you d like to learn more about St. John congregation or the Bible s teachings, please speak with Pastor Mike Gehl. And if you don t already have a church-home, feel free to return and worship with us again at your earliest convenience. Our restrooms are located downstairs (through the entryway). Activity bags to help keep children occupied are on a hanger in the entryway. We love having your children sit with you during the service, but if you feel that your infant or toddler is getting a little too fussy, you may briefly step out of the sanctuary until they re ready to come back in. Today s order of service is displayed on the screen and printed out in the worship folder (with music notes) for your convenience. Hymns are found in the red book in front of you. St. John also operates an all-day preschool and a fullday kindergarten through eighth grade Lutheran Elementary School. We re a member of the Fox Valley Lutheran High School federation. If you are interested in hearing more about these opportunities for Christian education, please speak with Pastor Gehl or Principal Tim Raddatz. At Your Service Today: 7:45 10:15 Greeters: Betty Schmidt Karen Geiger Marna Johns Judy Wicker Ushers: Terry Schaeuble Mike Geiger Organist: Deb Schaeuble Deb Schaeuble PowerPoint: Amy Vande Hey MIDI: Altar Guild: Rebecca Wicks Lou Ann Beard, Mary Fritsch, Aura Lee Gehl Mission and Purpose St. John Lutheran Church exists as part of the Holy Christian Church on earth. We engage in the continuing development of disciples of Jesus Christ by GATHERING for worship, education, and fellowship in order to GROW in faith and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. By God s GRACE we GO to proclaim Christ and his Word with our lips and lives. We realize that it s only through the GOSPEL in Word and Sacraments that one can be equipped for discipleship and bringing GLORY to God. Today s Flowers are provided by Bea Ambrosius, in memory of loved ones and in thankfulness for all of God s goodness. Thanksgiving Eve Service / Pie Social 11/21 It s obviously not the only time to give thanks for God s blessings, but it s our annual opportunity to gather together with that specific focus. The worship service with Holy Communion begins at 6:30p. A pie social follows, so you re encouraged to exhibit your baking skills and bring one of your favorite pies to share. Church Christmas Decorating 11/27 Anyone able to assist putting up the tree and trimmings is invited to come over on the morning of Tuesday, the 27 th. Many hands make for light work. Midweek Advent Service(s) / Meal 11/28 Two services are planned on Wed, Nov 28 th, for your convenience. Choose between 1:00p and 6:30p. A fellowship meal will be served before the evening service, at 5:00p. (NOTE: This is the sole midweek Advent service. The Advent by Candlelight dinner / devotion is planned for Wed, Dec 5 th. The Early Childhood Christmas Service is on Wed, Dec 19 th.) Call Meeting 12/8 The church council has scheduled a meeting for the evening of Sat, Dec 8 th and encourages all voting members of the congregation to make plans to attend. In addition to calling a part-time pastor, we ll vote to make Alexa Foelske s call permanent. (Because of the circumstances being so close to the start of the school year her initial call was a part-time, nine-month call.) Candy Donations Needed Anyone have any leftover Halloween candy that s tempting you? Or maybe you saw some on sale at the store? Or maybe you re just in the donating mood? We re looking to stockpile a good amount of candy for this year s float in the Wrightstown Christmas Parade on Dec 1 st. Drop off any donations in the church office. Thanks! Adult Christmas Party & Ornament Exchange Ron and Joan Zahn have graciously offered to host us at their home this year 2811 Legend Lane in De Pere (Little Rapids) on December 15 th. Arrive around 5:00 and stay til 8:00-ish. Punch and bottled water will be provided. Please bring (1) any adult beverages; (2) a hot or cold hors d oeuvre and/or dessert to share potluck-style (e.g. meatballs, cheese & sausage, cocktail wieners, chips & dips, cold shrimp, taco salad, etc.); and (3) an optional WRAPPED ornament in the $5-$10 range if you wish to participate in the exchange. (No white elephant ornaments, please.) If husband and wife want to take home two ornaments, bring two along. Check the Signup Sheets Worship volunteers (ushers, greeters, slides, music) Blood Drive (donations and/or volunteers) Funeral Luncheon servers and/or providers Advent by Candlelight tables Sunday fellowship munchies Endowment Tuition Assistance Deadline There are funds available for church members who are attending any WELS school. A written request needs to be submitted no later than December 31 st. Pick up a sheet from the table in the entryway for more details. [2] [15]

3 Last Week s Stewardship of the Means of Grace and the Means for His Work Worship: 197 ABC: 21 Nov 11 YTD (20/53 wks) * YTD Goal Budgetary Income $4, $146, $184, *$3,321 of this amount is from member directives through Thrivent Choice *$36, of this amount is from St. John School tuition The Week+ Ahead as We Live in God s Grace Today (18 th ) 7:45a Worship w/ Holy Communion 9:00a Adult Bible Class (Abraham) 9:00a Youth Sunday School (Naboth s Vineyard) 10:15a Worship w/ Holy Communion 2:00p FVL Schools and FVL Band Concert (at FVLHS) Mon (19 th ) 6:30p English Improvement Opportunities (EIO) Leader Meeting Wed (21 st ) Fri (23 rd ) No School at St. John Lutheran Thanksgiving Break Wed (21 st ) 6:45a Breakfast & Bible Study (95 Theses for the 21 st Century) 6:30p Thanksgiving Eve Worship w/ Holy Communion 7:30p Pie Social 7:30p Adult Choir Practice Sun (25 th ) 7:45a Worship 9:00a Adult Bible Class (Abraham / Isaac) 9:00a Youth Sunday School (Elijah and Elisha) 10:15a Worship =========================================================================== Mon (26 th ) 6:30p English Improvement Opportunities (EIO) Class Tue (27 th ) 8:30a Put Up Church Christmas Decorations Wed (28 th ) 1:00p Midweek Advent Worship 5:00p Advent Fellowship Meal 6:30p Midweek Advent Worship Sat (1 st ) 12:00p Wrightstown Christmas Parade (accompany our float) Tue (4 th ) 1:30p Building Committee / Architect Consultation Wed (5 th ) 6:30p Advent by Candlelight Sat (8 th ) 6:30p Call Meeting (part time pastor; permanent teacher) Sat (15 th ) 5:00-8:00p Adult Christmas Party & Ornament Exchange (Zahns home) Sun (16 th ) 10:15a Sunday School & K-8 th Christmas Service 4:00p FVL Christmas Concert (at FVLHS) Wed (19 th ) 6:30p Early Childhood (PS& PK) Christmas Service [14] Service Theme for Saints Triumphant Sunday: As we approach the end of all things and the great Day of Judgment, we want to make sure we have it all straight; the readings for this Sunday help us prepare by their careful description of what is to come, so that we will not fear as we look and long for the day of his appearing. Rather, clinging to his grace in Word and sacraments we strive to live as though who know what to expect at the end of it all. Service of Word and Sacrament Opening Hymn... For All the Saints (CW 551) Greeting The grace of our Lord [ ] Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. And also with you. Confession of Sins God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us. 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. 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. Amen. Prayer and Praise Lord, Have Mercy... (Kyrie) For all that we need in life and for the wisdom to use all your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord. [3]

4 For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ. For the well-being of your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord. Closing Prayer Hear the prayer of your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised you here may glorify you in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of your Son may long for his coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and blood the pledge of your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Merciful God, maker and preserver of life, uphold us by your power and keep us in your tender care: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise. O Lord, Our Lord Blessing Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and [ ] give you peace. Closing Hymn... Jerusalem the Golden (CW 214) * * * * * [4] [13]

5 O Christ, Lamb of God... (Agnus Dei) Distribution Thanksgiving Thank the Lord Prayer of the Day Let us pray. Almighty God and Savior, you have set the final day and hour when we shall be delivered from this world of sin and death. Keep us ever watchful for the coming of your Son that we may sit with him and all your holy ones at the marriage feast in heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. [12] [5]

6 The Word First Lesson... Daniel 12:1-3 (EHV) The God who protected his elect in this life will certainly not abandon them in death and in the Day of Judgment. Those who lived in such lowliness, following in the footsteps of their Savior in his humiliation, will rise in triumph and live with him forever in glory. The fate of the damned, who do not know or who despise his gracious Word, impels us to labor with all our might to bring them to the righteousness of the gospel. What a glorious special reward of grace awaits all those who labor thus! What a blessed added incentive to all to share the saving Word! 1 Then at that time, Michael, the great prince who stands over your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress that has not happened from the first time that there was a nation until that time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. 2 Many who are sleeping in the dusty ground will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, to everlasting contempt. 3 Those who have insight will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. Psalm of the Day... Psalm 118 Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. He protects and preserves his Church in every age and gives us confidence to lift up our heads and watch for Jesus with joy. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory for ever and ever. Holy, Holy, Holy... (Sanctus) The LORD is my strength and my song;* he has become my sal- vation. The LORD s right hand is lifted high;* the LORD s right hand has done mighty things! Words of Institution Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body [ ], which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood [ ] of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. The peace of the Lord be with you always. [6] [11]

7 Your saints will triumph forever in new heavens and a new earth. The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more. We anticipate with joy an eternity of perfect fellowship with you. Be with us as we work and witness for Christ, so that many more people can join us before your throne. Special prayers and intercessions may follow. Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions. silent prayer Lord of life, the day is coming when you will come down from heaven with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet call of God. On that glorious day, the saints triumphant will rise in bright array, clothed in your perfect righteousness. Give us strength until that day when we will share fully in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. The Lord s Prayer 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. The Lord be with you. Lift up your hearts. The Sacrament I will not die but live,* and will proclaim what the LORD has done. Refrain I will give you thanks, for you answered me;* you have become my sal- vation. The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone;* the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made;* let us rejoice and be glad in it. Glory be to the Father and to the Son * and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the be- ginning, * is now, and will be forever. Amen. Refrain Second Lesson... 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (EHV) What a day that will be! Therefore encourage one another with the certainty of its coming and the total and utter blessedness of the saints in heaven and the saints on earth who will finally be joined in perfect harmony with the Lord. No, we won t despair at the death of those who die in Christ. No, we won t live in dread of our own funeral. Rather with confidence in the Savior who promised it, we ll drive away such despair and dread with the happy contemplation of the blessedness that awaits us. For he would not die and rise in vain; nor could he ever lie to us. Even so, Come Lord Jesus! 13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you do not grieve in the same way as the others, who have no hope. 14 Indeed, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then in the same way we also believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. 15 In fact, we tell you this by the word of the Lord: We who are alive and left until the coming of the Lord will certainly not go on ahead of those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, encourage one another with these words. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. [10] [7]

8 Verse of the Day... Revelation 7:15a (EHV) Alleluia. They are in front of the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple. Alleluia. Sermon... 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Blessed Are the Saints of God! Sainthood hinges on Jesus Sainthood results in Sainthood surpasses death and resurrection. resting with the Lord. space and time. Gospel Lesson... Mark 13:24-27 (EHV) God s mighty acts of judgment and grace in New Testament times have Old Testament parallels. But the ultimate acts of judgment in the New Testament are a thousand-fold more terrifying, just as the acts of grace are incomparably more beautiful and glorious. What terror the Flood inspired in the perishing! What terror beyond comparison will fall and fall forever on those who perish in the judgment on the Last Day! What grace Noah and his house experienced in their rescue through the water that destroyed the world! What grace beyond compare as the saints rise with the angels through the clouds into eternal bliss and the wedding feast of the Lamb as all of the visible creation collapses around them! 24 But after that distress in those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. 25 The stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 26 Then you will see the Son of Man coming on clouds with great power and glory. 27 At that time he will send out his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of the sky. this is the Gospel of our Lord. Hymn of the Day... Blessed Are the Saints of God (CW 394) [8] The Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. Thank-Offering Prayer of the Church Lord of eternity and King of saints, all the heavens adore you. Saints and angels sing before you. We too join them to praise your majesty. You clothe us with garments of splendor. You bless us with grace and mercy in this life and eternal glory forever. What undeserved love you show us! We thank you, Lord, that you have made us your saints. Encourage us by your gracious promises. Forgive our failures to live as you desire. Strengthen the faith of all who are weak and wandering. Give us power to live as your faithful people. [9]