An Affiliate of the Church of the Lutheran Confession

Transcription

1 February 12, 2017 Septuagesima Sunday We Preach Christ Crucified ~1 Corinthians 1:23 An Affiliate of the Church of the Lutheran Confession 9:00am Sunday School & Bible Class / 10:00am Divine Service Visit us at: Church/Office (920) Pastor Neal Radichel Principal David Bernthal Teacher Jennifer Wiese Alter cloths are white; symbolizing for us the glory of God revealed in the humanity of Jesus. Welcome to all! This week s focus: Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. Matthew 5:17 Today s Divine Service Liturgy (how God serves us): Red Hymnal pg : :6-7 Pre-Service Meditation Psalm 57 (Red Hymnal pg. 135) ~ Opening Bells / Prayer Our worship service centers and glorifies our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please turn off your cell phones to avoid distraction. 1 P a g e

2 THE ORDER OF SERVICE I. WE PREPARE TO MEET OUR LORD THE INVOCATION We invoke ( call upon ) the name of our Triune God. PASTOR: We begin our Savior s Divine Service today in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ALL: OPENING HYMN (Congre. Favorite): #371:1-5 [Red Hymnal] CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION OF SINS We come before God recognizing that we are sinful and daily need His forgiveness. P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, begging Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. Our help is in the name of the Lord! P: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. P: Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess to You that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Therefore, we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. ALL: O most merciful God, who has given Your only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy on us and for His sake grant us forgiveness of all our sins: and by Your Holy Spirit, increase in us true knowledge of You and Your will, with true obedience to Your Word. Until the end, that by Your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen! P: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy on us and has given His only Son to die for us, and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on His name He calls them children of God and promises to them the Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized will be saved. Grant this Lord to us all! 2 P a g e

3 II. WE PRAISE OUR LORD THE GLORIA PATRI Glory to the Father (Red Hymnal, pg 16) THE KYRIE O Lord (Red Hymnal, pg 17) THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS "Glory to God in the highest" (Red Hymnal #237:3) O Jesus Christ, Thou only Son Of God, Thy heavenly Father, Who didst for all our sins atone And Thy lost sheep dost gather: Thou Lamb of God, to Thee on high, From out our depths, we sinners cry, Have mercy on us, Jesus! PASTOR: The Lord be with you. PASTOR: Let us pray: (Pastor says the prayer of the day) III. OUR LORD SPEAKS TO US 1 ST SCRIPTURE LESSON ~ JEREMIAH 31: " Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of 3 P a g e

4 Judah "not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. 33 "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." 2 ND SCRIPTURE LESSON ~ EPHESIANS 1: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth -- in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. 4 P a g e

5 CONFESSION OF FAITH ~ 3 RD ARTICLE AND LUTHER S EXPLANATION The 3 rd Article of the Apostles Creed reminds us of the work of the Holy Spirit revealing God s Word to us and by His grace, bringing us to faith in all our Triune God has done! 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. I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified, and kept me in true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. I believe in this Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all sins to me and all believers. On the Last Day He will raise me and all the dead and give to me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true. CHILDREN S SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY: #388 [Red Hymnal] But Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. " ~Matthew 19:14 AUDIO/VIDEO IN CRYROOM FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WHO NEED A BRIEF REMINDER SERMON MEDITATION read/watch sermons and services online at Jesus said, " Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" ~Luke 11:28 Matthew 5:17-20 NKJV 17 "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. You Broke It, God Bought It 1. The Fear in being Accused. 2. The Joy in being Excused. 5 P a g e

6 THE OFFERTORY We Offer God our hearts again, praying for His Spiritual blessings! SERMON HYMN: #390 [Red Hymnal] IV. WE OFFER OURSELVES TO OUR LORD AN OFFERING OF THANKFUL HEARTS TO THE LORD So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7 OFFERING MEDITATION: PS 6 (Psalm 6) N. Radichel LORD rebuke me not in anger, Nor correct me in Your wrath. Show Your tender mercy to me, Help me faint not on Your path! Heal my broken bones in anguish, Heal my soul in agony. LORD how long until Your coming? How long must I wait for Thee? The LORD has heard my weeping, The LORD has heard my cry The LORD accepts my prayer, For in Christ, I will live even if I die. Turn O LORD and yet deliver, Save me with Your faithful love! Can the dead speak of Your story? Can the grave speak of Your love? Worn out from all my groaning, All is soaked with bitter tears. My eyes weaken with my moaning, My eyes fail from all my fears. Away from me, all you who do evil, All my enemies will be ashamed and dismayed; They will turn They will turn They will turn back in sudden disgrace... FOLLOWED BY THE OFFERING HYMN: WS #788:2 We are Yours--Your mercy sought us, Found us in death's dreadful way, To the fold in safety brought us, Nevermore from You to stray. Your own life was freely given, As an off'ring on the cross For each sinner, now forgiven, From eternal shame and loss. SPECIAL PRAYERS ~ GENERAL PRAYER ~ SAY LORD S PRAYER 6 P a g e

7 V. OUR LORD BLESSES US THE BENEDICTION - The blessing given by God for His people (Numbers 6:24-26). P: The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; The LORD smile upon you and give you His peace. ALL: CLOSING HYMN: #371:6-7 [Red Hymnal] ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome to all! Guests, please sign our guest book in entryway and we hope you will come and join us again! Questions? (920) THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE: If the LORD wills, we will do this or that. James 4:15 *Online calendar at FDLlutheran.com or go to facebook.com/fdl.lutheran Feb 12 Sun Usher Team #4: Wayne W, Dave B, Bob C, Ron H, Alan K, Larry S Organist: TBD / Counters: TBD 9a Sunday School / Bible Study: Hebrews Superiority of Christ s Person 10a Divine Worship Service Feb 16 Thu 6:45p Church Council/Missions Feb 19 Sun Usher Team #1: Lowell B, Reuel D, Rodney K, Tyler K, Alex S, John S Organist: TBD / Counters: TBD 9a Sunday School / Bible Study: Hebrews Superiority of Christ s Person 10a Divine Worship Service UPCOMING DATES: Mar 1 Wed 6:30p Ash Wednesday Divine Service with Holy Communion Mar F-Sun CLC Grade School Basketball Tournament (Eau Claire, WI) GET LMNEWS TEXTED TO YOUR PHONE = Just Text LMNEWS to CHURCH COUNCIL & COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN (Installed 2/5/17) President of the congregation Rodney Kern (1st, since 2014) Vice President (holds other office) Eric Williams (3 rd, since 2013) Recording Secretary VACANT Financial Secretary Eric Williams (3 rd, since 2013) Treasurer Michael Sippert (2 nd, since 2014) Mission/Evangelism Chairman VACANT School Chairman Mike Schierenbeck (1st, since 2017) Board of Elders Chairman Bob Chase (2 nd, since 2015) Buildings and Grounds Chairman Chris Sabel (2 nd, since 2015) [Duration of Council Terms: 2 year terms, term limits of 3 terms or 6 years] 7 P a g e

8 "And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." -1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 EXPLANATION OF THE CHURCH YEAR CALENDAR - This year we are going back to the traditional church year calendar which includes a season between Epiphany and Lent. These three weeks are called Gesima Sundays, and are known as Pre-Lent Sundays. These three weeks are not part of the season of Lent, but prepare us for Lent and eventually Easter. The first of these Sundays is called Septuagesima. This word comes from Latin and simply means Seventy Days. Sexagesima means Sixty Days and Quinqagesima means Fifty Days. It is that simple. These days point us ahead to Easter and give us a general idea of how many days we have left until the celebration of our Savior s resurrection. As we move from Transfiguration today into the Gesima Sundays next weekend, you will hear a change in focus. The message of missions and God s love for all people will change to a message of the New Covenant that has been made between God and man through Christ s death and resurrection. Repentance also have a significant role pointing to the need to humble ourselves before the Lord so we may receive healing and forgiveness from Him. You will also notice a visible change. The white paraments in the church will be replaced by purple ones which signify repentance. To that end, may the Spirit of our God bless us as we hear and heed the Word of God s Truth through this special season of the Church Year! Do we pass that cross unheeding, Breathing no repentant vow, Tho we see Thee wounded, bleeding, See Thy thorn-encircled brow? Yet Thy sinless death hath bro t us Life eternal, peace, and rest; Only what Thy grace hath taught us Calms the sinner s stormy breast. (TLH 145:2) Messiah Lutheran of Eau Claire is sponsoring an Evangelism Workshop. It will be held on Sunday, February 26, beginning at 2:30 pm. We will be hearing and discussing how the truths which were brought to light once more in the Lutheran Reformation are the same truths that save today. We ll be focusing on practical ways to share the message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, founded on Scripture alone. There will be three presenters, as well as small-group discussion time. The workshop will be followed by a chili supper at 5:30 pm. The sponsors would appreciate hearing from those who are coming, for planning purposes. Please contact Dave Schrader at dave41schr@yahoo.com or CLC CALL NEWS The Rev. Edward Starkey, pastor of Resurrection Lutheran, Corpus Christi TX, has returned the call to St. Luke s Lutheran, Lemmon SD. <> Resignation: Ernest Bernet has resigned from the public ministry of the CLC and from membership in the church body. Rock of Ages Lutheran, Grand Rapids MI, has called the Rev. Mark Weis, pastor of Grace Lutheran, Cape Coral FL. He has since returned that call. <> Brandan Heinze has accepted the call to teach Mathematics at Immanuel Lutheran School in Mankato MN. <> Messiah Lutheran, Eau Claire WI, has called Heidi Radtke to teach grades 3 and 4 in its school. <> St. Stephen Lutheran, Mt. View CA, has called Heidi Radtke to be the second teacher in its school. Dear Friends in Christ, Once again you have remembered us with gift and greeting during your celebration of our Savior s birth. As His coming brought light in the darkness and warmth in the coldness of this world, so your remembrance has again cheered and warmed us and caused us to praise Him who brought us together in the family of faith. May Jesus life, death, and resurrection continue to cheer and warm your hearts also in the year that lies before us, as we glorify His name together. With grateful hearts, Professor Paul & Nona Schaller (Immanuel Lutheran College) 8 P a g e

9 (Here is some food for thought and encouragement to both meditate on and share with others in the spirit of the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation) In the Church Christ Nourishes Us With His Word (Meditations June-Aug. 1970) Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Thy name, O Lord, God of hosts. 1 Peter 2:2,3 As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby; If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. There is a lot of hunger in the world today. Man s worst hunger, however, is not physical but spiritual. How vainly many try to satisfy the longing of their hearts! Some try to do it with human philosophies or superstitions. But these only lead to disillusionment or even despair. Others look for happiness in owning things or piling up wealth. But if this could really satisfy, rich people would be the happiest on earth. Many follow after pleasure. But that is a fleeting thing. Constantly man seeks new forms of amusement, but real contentment is never found. Oh, thank God that He has provided us with the perfect food to satisfy our spiritual hunger! It is the Word of God. Perhaps you have never thought of God s Word as food. Yet it is pictured that way a number of times in Scripture. Peter compares it to milk. He urges us to desire the pure milk of the Word, just as a newborn infant desires his mother s milk. No doubt all of us have seen how eagerly an infant drinks milk. Milk satisfies his hunger. Without it he could not live. With it he grows strong and stays healthy. Having been reborn through Holy Baptism, we need the pure milk of the Word to grow and remain healthy spiritually. Without it we would soon lose our faith. As children of God we enjoy the taste of God s Word, just as a hungry man enjoys a hearty meal. Of course, God s Word contains both Law and Gospel. When the Law is properly applied to us, it does not taste good. It shows us our sin and guilt before God. In the Gospel we taste how gracious and good God is. In the Gospel He offers us complete pardon for all our sins through Jesus Christ. Could anything ever taste better than that marvelous news? There may be adequate substitutes for much of the food we eat, but there is none for God s Word, the food for our souls. Let us therefore accept no substitutes, but feed upon the Word regularly by diligently hearing, reading, and studying it. -Taken from a paper entitled A Potpourri for Church Elders October 25, 1974, by Arthur J. Clement, p.5 9 P a g e

10 FRUITS OF FAITH PAST WEEK / FOR THE YEAR Bible Class 24 / Worship 113 LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN CONFESSION Budgetary ($3596 budgeted per week) Budgetary ($680 needed per week) $3195 LM General Budget $512 CLC General Budget Non-Budgetary (photo directory to date) $70 Non-Budgetary $10 LM School $ ILC Student Aid Fund $ LM Student Aid Fund $100 ILC Building Fund $25 LM Debt Retirement $ ILC Improvement Fund $965 LM Maintenance & Improvements $10 Mission Development-(MDF) $32 LM Local Missions/Outreach $0/1 Project Kinship/Orphanage $731* LM Other: RRF $70 CLC Other: Foreign Memorial gift (Designated): Ruth Woller $10 (RRF) Bob & Jeanette Roehl $100 (RRFs) LM LM Budgetary $187,000 (YTD Jan-Dec 6/52 wks) $15,491 $21,576 $0 $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000$125,000$150,000$175,000 CLC Budgetary $32,500 (YTD July-June 31/52 wks) CLC $15,794 $18,560 $0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 Remodeling for our Redeemer Fund - Estimated Project Total: $713,000 RRF $530k $713k $k $100k $200k $300k $400k $500k $600k $700k $800k Received Budget Received Budget Received Budget GET UPDATES FROM OUR CLC MISSIONS SITE! LutheranMissions.org IN OUR PRAYERS If you are hospitalized, please let pastor know if you would like a visit! Hospitalized: Dorothy Schmolesky was called by our gracious Lord while at St. Agnes on February 10 th. Shut-ins: Pearl Becker (N6329 Colonial Dr), Evelyn Chase (Lutheran Home), Jim Fillmore (1100 Blue Cottage Lane), Eileen Gantner (Woodlands), Ed Jacobs (868 W Scott St), Gloria Jacobs (Woodlands), Doris Kaiser (Woodlands), Jeanette Keipe (675 S. Main St.), John Lenburg (769 Mustang Ln), Marion Mach (Lutheran Home), Jim Steffen (N8652 Linden Beach Rd), Leah Wirkus (St. Peter s Place). BRING THE CHANGE! COIN DRIVE Our School and Sunday School will be holding a coin drive to help get the children get excited and involved with the church and school remodel project. Each Sunday our coin jug will be out for donations. Bring any change you would like to donate as we try to fill our coin bank by summer break! Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that He has given you. Deuteronomy 16:17 10 P a g e

11 RRF Personal Loan Luther Memorial Building Fund (Redeemer Remodel Fund RRF on envelope) The information below is needed to properly complete your RRF Loan. Please complete all items to be sure that the loan is executed in accordance with your wishes. Please put this completed form in the black box to the left of the mailboxes in the church hallway, or mail it to the church. Once the Church Council meets to approve the loan we will send you a signed promissory note summarizing the agreement. Name: (The loan payee) Social Security Number: (For tax form 1099-INT. interest = reported January following loan) Loan Amount: (in increments of $1000) $ (Make check payable to: Luther Memorial RRF Fund ) Annual Interest Rate: (select from 0% to 2%): % (Interest will be paid back annual each January). Note to Mature in: (Circle one) 5 Years 10 Years Send Interest Payments and/or annual statements to: (The Loan will be redeemed within 90 days of written notice to Luther Memorial Church.) Name: Address: Signature: 11 P a g e

12 RRF Project Goal The Publicity Team is putting together a schedule of updates and reminders of the progress of our building renovation in order to keep up to date information on the latest news and needs. This includes displaying recent pictures of the progress on our church and school Facebook page, information about our budgetary needs, areas of volunteering, and upcoming possible events. If you have any questions please ask the Publicity Team (Burns, Haensgens, or Radichels). RRF $713,000 $713,000 $640,000 $560,000 $480,000 $400,000 $320,000 $240,000 $160,000 $80,000 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 2 Corinthians 9: P a g e