CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT

Transcription

1 CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT November 25, 2018 American Lutheran Church, Filley, Nebraska, LuRae Hallstrom, Pastor; Cell: , Home: WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OPENING HYMN: Crown Him with many Crowns #170(LBW), v v. 1,3,4 GREETING P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. OPENING PRAYER P: Let us pray, C: O God, Searcher of all our hearts, you have formed us as a people and claimed us for your own. As we come to acknowledge your sovereignty and grace, and to enter anew into covenant with you, reveal any reluctance or falsehood within us. Let your Spirit impress your truth on our inmost being, and receive us in mercy, for the sake of our Mediator, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (David Tripp, England, 20th Cent.) LITANY OF THANKSGIVING P: Let us give thanks for all of God's mercies. O God, our Covenant Friend, you have been gracious to us through all the years of our lives. We thank you for your loving care, which has filled our days and brought us to this time and place. P: You have given us life and reason, and set us in a world filled with your glory. You have comforted us with family and friends, and ministered to us through the hands of our sisters and brothers. P: You have filled our hearts with a hunger after you, and have given us your peace. You have redeemed us, and called us to a high calling in Christ Jesus. P: You have given us a place in the fellowship of your Spirit and the witness of your Church. P: You have been our light in darkness and a rock of strength in adversity and temptation. You have been the very Spirit of joy in our joys and the all sufficient reward in all our labors. P: You remembered us when we forgot you. You followed us even when we tried to flee from you. You met us with forgiveness when we returned to you. For all your patience and overflowing grace. READINGS: First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, Second Reading: Revelations 1:4b-8 Gospel: John 18:33-37 MESSAGE

2 HYMN OF THE DAY: Lord of the Dance (Offering & noisy offering is received and dedicated.) 1. I danced in the morning when the world was begun, and I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun, and I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth: at Bethlehem I had my birth. REFRAIN: Dance, then, wherever you may be, I am the Lord of the dance, said he, and I'll lead you all, wherever you may be, and I'll lead you all in the dance, said he. 2. I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee, but they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me; I danced for the fishermen, for James and John; they came with me and the dance went on: 3. I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame: the holy people said it was a shame. They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high, and they left me there on a cross to die. (Refrain) 4. I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black; it's hard to dance with the devil on your back. They buried my body and they thought I'd gone; but I am the dance, and I still go on: 5. They cut me down and I leapt up high; I am the life that'll never, never die. I'll live in you if you'll live in me: I am the Lord of the dance, said he. (Refrain) PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING P: Merciful Father, C: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us, our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. COVENANT SERVICE P: Commit yourselves to Christ as his servants. Give yourselves to him, that you may belong to him. Christ has many services to be done. Some are more easy and honorable, others are more difficult and disgraceful. Some are suitable to our inclinations and interests, others are contrary to both. In some we may please Christ and please ourselves. But then there are other works where we cannot please Christ except by denying ourselves. It is necessary, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a servant of Christ. Let us, therefore, go to Christ, and pray: C: Let me be your servant, under your command. I will no longer be my own. I will give up myself to your will in all things. P: Be satisfied that Christ shall give you your place and work. C: Lord, make me what you will. I put myself fully into your hands: put me to doing, put me to suffering, let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing. I freely and with a willing heart give it all to your pleasure and disposal. P: Christ will be the Savior of none but his servants. He is the source of all salvation to those who obey. Christ will have no servants except by consent; Christ will not accept anything except full consent to all that he requires. Christ will be all in all, or he will be nothing. Confirm this by a holy covenant. To make this covenant a reality in your life, listen to these admonitions: First, set apart some time, more than once, to be spent alone before the Lord; in seeking earnestly God's special assistance and gracious acceptance of you; in carefully thinking through all the conditions of the covenant; in searching your hearts whether you have already freely given your life to Christ. Consider what your sins are. Consider the laws of Christ, how holy, strict, and spiritual they are, and whether you, after having carefully considered them, are willing to choose them all. Be sure you are clear in these matters, see that you do not lie to God. Second, be serious and in a spirit of holy awe and reverence.

3 Third, claim God's covenant, rely upon God's promise of giving grace and strength, so you can keep your promise. Trust not your own strength and power. Fourth, resolve to be faithful. You have given to the Lord your hearts, you have opened your mouths to the Lord, and you have dedicated yourself to God. With God's power, never go back. And last, be then prepared to renew your covenant with the Lord. Fall down on your knees, lift your hands toward heaven, open your hearts to the Lord, as we pray: COVENANT PRAYER P: O righteous God, C: for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, see me as I fall down before you. Forgive my unfaithfulness in not having done your will, for you have promised mercy to me if I turn to you with my whole heart. P: God requires that you shall put away all your idols. C: I here from the bottom of my heart renounce them all, covenanting with you that no known sin shall be allowed in my life. Against your will, I have turned my love toward the world. In your power I will watch all temptations that will lead me away from you. For my own righteousness is riddled with sin, unable to stand before you. P: Through Christ, God has offered to be your God again if you would let him. C: Before all heaven and earth, I here acknowledge you as my Lord and God. I take you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for my portion, and vow to give up myself, body and soul, as your servant, to serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of my life. P: God has given the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way and means of coming to God. C: Jesus, I do here accept Christ as the only new and living Way, and sincerely join myself in a covenant with him. O blessed Jesus, I come to you, hungry, sinful, miserable, blind, and naked, unworthy even to wash the feet of your servants. I do here, with all my power, accept you as my Lord and Head. I renounce my own worthiness, and vow that you are the Lord, my righteousness. I renounce my own wisdom, and take you for my only guide. I renounce my own will, and take your will as my law. P: Christ has told you that you must suffer with him. C: I do here covenant with you, O Christ, to take my lot with you as it may fall. Through your grace I promise that neither life nor death shall part me from you. P: God has given holy laws as the rule of your life. C: I do here willingly put my neck under your yoke, to carry your burden. All your laws are holy, just, and good. I therefore take them as the rule for my words, thoughts, and actions, promising that I will strive to order my whole life according to your direction, and not allow myself to neglect anything I know to be my duty. P: The almighty God searches and knows your heart. C: O God, you know that I make this covenant with you today without guile or reservation. If any falsehood should be in it, guide me and help me to set it aright. And now, glory be to you, O God the Father, whom I from this day forward shall look upon as my God and Father. Glory be to you, O God the Son, who have loved me and washed me from my sins in your own blood, and now is my Savior and Redeemer. Glory be to you, O God the Holy Spirit, who by your almighty power have turned my heart from sin to God. O mighty God, the Lord Omnipotent, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you have now become my Covenant Friend. And I, through your infinite grace, have become your covenant servant. So be it. And let the covenant I have made on earth be ratified in heaven. Amen.

4 P: You are advised to make this covenant not only in your heart, but in word; not only in word, but in writing. Therefore, with all reverence, lay the service before the Lord as your act and deed. And when you have done this, sign it. Then keep it as a reminder of the holy agreement between God and you that you may remember it during doubts and temptations. GREAT THANKSGIVING P: It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Holy Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. From the rising of the sun to its setting your name is praised among all peoples. Blessed Trinity, in remembrance of all you have done to save us, we offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of our faith: C. Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. We pray for the gift of your Spirit; in our gathering; within this meal; among your people; throughout the world. Blessing, praise and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus who taught us to pray THE LORD S PRAYER THE DISTRIBUTION THE POST-COMMUNION BLESSING THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER P: Let us pray. All: Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BENEDICTION SENDING HYMN: Now Thank We All Our God #534(LBW), vv. 1,3 ***** (Excerpts of this service are taken by permission from Worship Resources, Making it Work in the Parish by Rev. Jerry Nelson) (Portions of this service reprinted from Lutheran Book of Worship, Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress license #13855-L) ***** WELCOME TO WORSHIP! It s wonderful to gather as the body of Christ to worship and give thanks to God! Thanks be to God for all of you here! If you are a visitor, please sign the guest book and feel welcome to come again. You are invited to come downstairs for refreshments and fellowship following worship. WORSHIP HELPERS: Greeters-Randy & DeeAnn Schmidt, Reader-DeeAnn Schmidt, PowerPoint-Tanner & DeeAnn Schmidt, Fellowship-Glenda Van Eperen, Jill Nelson Next Sunday: Greeters-Garold & Denise Blaker, Reader-Danelle Lenners, PowerPoint-Tanner & DeeAnn Schmidt, Fellowship-Jolene Huls, Jane Young. PRAYER CONCERNS: Paul Lammers, Becky Lasley, Marlene Frerichs, Dustin Fritch, Raynette Essman, our shut-ins. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tiffany Robertson (Nov. 25), Avery Busing, Kent Hippen (Nov. 26), Dora Schoen (Nov. 28), Michelle Scott, Dana Steinacher (Nov. 29). HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY to Scott & Brenda Nouzovsky ( ) and Larry & Ann Weyers ( ). CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE for 3 year olds and older starts TODAY. It will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. each Sunday morning until Christmas with dress rehearsal on Friday, Dec. 21, at 6:00 p.m. LUTHERAN CHRISTIANS BELIEVE AND TEACH that Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word of God, is truly present in the Lord s Supper, and that in this meal of the baptized

5 children of God, our Lord gives forgiveness of sin, life and salvation. All who seek the mercy and grace of God in the body and blood of our Lord Jesus are welcome to the Lord s table. Those who desire to partake of this communion are invited to receive the Lord s body and blood by eating the bread and drinking from the cup of wine. Grape juice and gluten free bread are available-please let your server know if you would like it. Those who desire to participate but cannot receive the bread and/or the cup of wine are invited to come forward with hands folded to hear the words of promise. Children may be communed or blessed, according to the practice of one s church or home congregation. Those who are physically unable to come forward should notify one of the ushers of their desire to receive. DONATIONS in the bowl on the table in the narthex during November will go to the Community Food Pantry & Emergency Services in Beatrice. HANGING OF THE GREENS: We will be decorating the church following worship THIS MORNING. The more people we have to help, the faster it will go. Please stay and help! ALL INSTRUMENTALISTS: Anyone who plays an instrument is invited to be part of the prelude for the Christmas Eve program on December 24. If you would like to play and Sandy hasn t yet given you music, please talk to her after church next Sunday or smahleris@gmail.com. Practice will be each Wednesday after BeLoved for approx minutes beginning Wednesday, Dec. 5. We will also practice Friday, Dec. 21, at 5:00 p.m. (before dress rehearsal for Christmas Program). WOMEN'S CIRCLE will have their annual Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 5, in the church fellowship hall. All women of our congregation are welcome to attend. Supper will be at 6:00 pm followed with fellowship & games. WOMEN OF THE ELCA are collecting coats for A Warmer Day, a non-profit organization, to be distributed to underprivileged children & families in SE Nebraska. Donations can be used or new items, all sizes needed, infant through adult. They will also accept sweaters, boots, gloves/mittens, wool socks, stocking hats, and snow pants. Items can be left in the tote in the northeast Sunday School room downstairs. The Warmer Day truck will be in Beatrice on December 12, 2018 at the Blue Valley Community Action. A Warmer Day website: awarmerday.org THE POWERPOINT PREPARERS AND PRESENTERS schedule for the coming year will be made soon. More volunteers are needed! Please let Pastor LuRae or Sandy know if you are interested in helping. All help is appreciated! CARING & SHARING TREE, this Christmas season, will be collecting items to donate to Mother-to-Mother Ministry in Beatrice. Items needed- new children clothes, including socks & underwear (currently they are in short supply of children clothes for sizes 5, 6, 7 and they would take used clothing for these sizes), Movie tickets, Diapers & baby wipes, Money or gift cards donations. For this holiday season they would also like to make a gift bag for the mothers, as many don't have funds to get items for themselves. These items are shampoo, hand cream or body lotions, laundry detergent, dish soap, bar soaps, toothpaste. We will start collecting these items now through Sunday, December 16th. Please leave donations downstairs or by the tree after it is set up in back of church. Thank you for your support! PLEASE SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS! SunMart/Spartan Nash Co. supports a fundraising program called Support Our Schools and Churches. All you have to do is save your SunMart cash register receipt tapes and put them in the box in the Fellowship Hall. When we have collected $150,000 in receipt tapes Spartan Nash Company will award us a check for $1000. You can also ask your check-out person if they have any extra receipts. They save the ones that people don t want and give them out first come, first serve. Our last counted total was $34, If you have any questions, please contact Sandy. Thank you to everyone who is helping with this ministry!! PLEASE DONATE TO OUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY: American Lutheran Church gathers food donations for the Community Pantry and Emergency Services in Beatrice on an ongoing basis. The Food Pantry serves all of Gage County. If you would like to give to this ministry, please leave your donated items in the shopping cart in the Fellowship Hall at any time. Special items needed at this time are: coffee, 2 lb. bags of flour and sugar, ketchup, peanut butter, jelly, and mayo. THANK YOU for your continued support to this ministry! HAVE YOU PERFECTED your chili recipe? You better start practicing! The time is coming soon for Christ Lutheran s Chili Cook-Off on December 2 nd, from 4pm -6pm. The church with the best chili will take home the trophy to display. Free Will offering. Winner announced at 5pm and then enjoy a bowl or two with cinnamon rolls. We are also having a CRAFT/VENDOR FAIR, so come prepared to shop and taste! Please register to compete by Nov 30 th! clcpickrell@gmail.com or register on our website.

6 AMERICAN LUTHERAN CHURCH WEBSITE: You can find our church website at or by scanning this QR code: BULLETIN ITEMS are due by Tuesday evenings. Please to Sandy at or leave in the bulletin tray. Thank you! WINDOW REPLACEMENT UPDATE: At our semi-annual meeting, the congregation voted to move forward with the replacement of the two stained glass windows on the west side of the church in addition to the east window that is currently under construction. Funding is to come from Memorial money and the Building Fund, however, we are still soliciting donations for this work as we do not wish to deplete the Building and Memorial Funds any more than we have to. Please consider an additional donation for the replacement of the west windows. If you wish to do so, please contact a member of the Council or the Long Range Planning Committee. Thank you! COMING UP: Every Wednesday, 4:00-5:30 p.m. BeLoved (No BeLoved on Dec. 26) Every Wednesday, 4:00-5:30 p.m. Confirmation (No class on Dec. 26) Dec. 2 First Sunday of Advent Dec. 21 6:00 p.m., Children s Program Practice Dec. 24 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service/Children s Program/ Candlelight Service/Communion