Have Doubts? Luke 7:18-35

Transcription

1 Have Doubts? Luke 7:18-35 December 16, 2018

2 Welcome to St. John s Lutheran Church Good morning and a blessed welcome to you! It truly is an honor to have you worshipping with us this morning and it is our prayer that you find great comfort and peace in Jesus Word of love, mercy, and forgiveness! If you are visiting with us today, please take one of the visitor gift bags from the visitors center. At St. John s we are pleased to offer a variety of service formats on Sunday morning. In our 8:30 a.m. traditional service we offer familiar hymns and rich, traditional worship forms in a meaningful and inspirational setting. Our 11:00 a.m. contemporary service includes the same message as our 8:30 a.m. service but in an informal style, enhanced with contemporary music. We encourage you to try both worship styles! Thank you for worshipping with us; we would love to have you join us again! (If you need any assistance or need a hearing aid device, please see one of the ushers.) The Lord s Supper Though we are eager for all to participate fully in the Lord s Supper, we do not want to compromise any portion of God s Word among us. Because Scripture states that the Lord s Supper can be taken to one s spiritual harm if not properly understood, we ask all visitors to refer to the following statement of belief regarding the Lord s Supper before communing: I am truly sorry for the sin in my life. I am struggling to die to my sin and to live in faith in Jesus. I am looking to Jesus to empower me to stop my sinning and to live a new life in Him. I believe when I receive the bread, I am receiving the true body of Christ, and when I receive the wine, I am receiving the true blood of Jesus. I believe that when I receive His true body and blood my sins are forgiven, I am given power over sin, death and the devil, and the gift of eternal life. My faith is completely in the words of Jesus. The Lord s Supper offers the two-fold gift of forgiveness and peace with God on the one hand, and unity and oneness among those who commune together on the other hand (Matt. 26:28; 1 Cor. 10:16 17). Those who receive the body and the blood of the Lord do so in terms of their relationship with God as well as with their fellow-communicants. Therefore, all baptized believers who understand and agree with the above Lutheran teaching of the Lord s Supper are welcome to attend. As always, we encourage you to speak with Pastor Ray with any questions or concerns. Thank you. The Wafer To receive the wafer from the lay minister, we suggest you hold out your hands, one on top of the other, so the wafer can be placed in your hand for you to put into your mouth. Common Cup To assist with the distribution of the wine via the common cup/chalice, we suggest you guide the tipping of the cup by placing your hand(s) on the bottom as you are being served. Individual Cup For those who prefer the individual cup, one is offered. Wait until the server is in front of you before drinking the cup. As you return to your seat, put the cup in the receptacle provided on the table against the brick wall. Disabled The pastor and lay minister will gladly commune in the front pews anyone unable to come to the communion rail. Let the pastor or an usher know before the service begins.

3 Third Sunday in Advent December 16, :30 a.m. Our Vision: Grounded in Christ, Growing in Faith, Branching Out to Others PRE-SERVICE MUSIC AND A TIME FOR PRAYER Good morning and a blessed welcome to you! It truly is an honor to have you worshiping with us this morning and it is our prayer that you find great comfort and peace in Jesus Word of love, mercy, and forgiveness! Thank you for worshiping with us; we would love to have you join us again! RINGING OF THE BELLS WELCOME/GREETING OF ONE ANOTHER Please take time to complete the appropriate side of the attendance registration cards. Once completed, pass the cards toward the center aisle. They will be collected during the offering. OPENING HYMN OF PRAISE Arise, O Christian People LSB 354 INVOCATION OPENING SENTENCES CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION KYRIE (responses sung) THIS IS THE FEAST (sung) GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY LISTENING TO GOD SPEAK TO US THROUGH HIS WORD Zephaniah 3: Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster. 16 On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, Cheer up, Zion! Don t be afraid! 17 For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. 18 I will gather

4 you who mourn for the appointed festivals; you will be disgraced no more. 19 And I will deal severely with all who have oppressed you. I will save the weak and helpless ones; I will bring together those who were chased away. I will give glory and fame to my former exiles, wherever they have been mocked and shamed. 20 On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken! (NLT) L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. LISTENING TO GOD SPEAK TO US THROUGH HIS WORD Philippians 4:4-7 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT) L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA AND VERSE HOLY GOSPEL Luke 7:18-35 L: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the seventh chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. (sung) 18 The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing. So John called for two of his disciples, 19 and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, Are you the Messiah we ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else? 20 John s two disciples found Jesus and said to him, John the Baptist sent us to ask, Are you the Messiah we ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else? 21 At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 22 Then he told John s disciples, Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heardthe blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 23 And he added, God blesses those who do not fall away because of me. 24 After John s disciples left, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 25 Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No,

5 people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces. 26 Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet. 27 John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you. 28 I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is! 29 When they heard this, all the people even the tax collectorsagreed that God s way was right, for they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in religious law rejected God s plan for them, for they had refused John s baptism. 31 To what can I compare the people of this generation? Jesus asked. How can I describe them? 32 They are like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, We played wedding songs, and you didn t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn t weep. 33 For John the Baptist didn t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, He s possessed by a demon. 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, He s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners! 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it. L: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. (sung) SERMON Have Doubts? Luke 7:18-35 Pastor Adam Ray NICENE CREED GIVING TO JESUS THANKFULLY FROM THE HEART (Offerings & Tithes) OFFERTORY HYMN Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful LSB 955 PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH The Leader will conclude every prayer with: rejoice in the Lord always! People respond with: Again I will say, rejoice! LORD S PRAYER PREFACE (responses sung) PROPER PREFACE SANCTUS (sung)

6 WORDS OF OUR LORD PAX DOMINI AGNUS DEI DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness LSB 563 At the Lamb s High Feast We Sing LSB 633 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness LSB 636 BLESSING ANNOUNCEMENTS SENDING HYMN Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng (Vv. 1-2, 6-7) LSB 813 Acknowledgments Divine Service, Setting Five from Lutheran Service Book Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

7 Third Sunday in Advent December 16, :00 a.m. Our Vision: Grounded in Christ, Growing in Faith, Branching Out to Others Please take time to complete the appropriate side of the attendance registration card. Once completed, pass the cards toward the center aisle. They will be collected during the offering. WELCOME & GREETING OPENING PRAISE SONGS Angels We Have Heard On High The Rock Won t Move O Come To The Altar CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION SCRIPTURE READING Luke 7:18-35 GIVING TO JESUS THANKFULLY FROM THE HEART The First Noel MESSAGE Have Doubts? Luke 7:18-35 Pastor Adam Ray APOSTLE S CREED PRAYERS LORD S PRAYER COMMUNION O Holy Night ANNOUNCEMENTS SENDING SONGS O Come, O Come Emmanuel Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) BLESSING

8 Sunday Servants Preacher... Pastor Adam Ray Worship Leader... Pastor Jon Torreson Reader... 8:30 a.m. Jean Munson Communion Helper... 8:30 a.m. Brian Cripe 11:00 a.m. Bob Rasmus Lay Minister... 8:30 a.m. Troy Harrison 11:00 a.m. Marty Maxey Greeters... 8:30 a.m. Brady & Debbie Fawcett 11:00 a.m. Steve Skibbins/Matt Whitehead Organist... 8:30 a.m. Taylor Torreson Ushers... 8:30 a.m. Brady Fawcett Acolytes... 8:30 a.m. Roderick Brownfield 11:00 a.m. Miranda Tatum/Serenity Calhoun Thank You for Your Service! Praise Team Vocals... Brian McLane, Caitlin Salefski, Wendy Salefski Guitars...Brian McLane Piano... Angela Cushing Audio... Steve Wright St. John s Lutheran Church 2727 North Union Boulevard Decatur, IL Phone: (217) ; website: Church office hours: 8:00 am 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday Members of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod & Lutheran School Association. Our Mission We are restored to God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. As a family of Christians, we are dedicated to the love and forgiveness of Christ as we reach out, preach and teach the truth of God s Word to each other, our Community and the world.

9 CHURCH CHATTER In Need of Prayer: If you would like to be added to the prayer list, please contact the church office. If you would like your request on our prayer chain, please call Marilyn Roemelin at Please call the prayer chain with an update of your prayer request. Hospitals: DMH: Dwayne Heidemann In the Military: Laura Byers, Bryon Chaney, Kimberly Chaney, Kristel Chaney, Travis Chaney, Dan Cheney, Tristin Comer, Randy Edwards, Austin Highcock, Destiny Little, Aaron Lung, Andrew Nailer, Caleb Pinney, Jared Pinney, Caitlin Salefski, Tyler Salefski, Jacob Thornell Congregation News Christmas Brunch: Plan to join us in the fellowship hall today from 9:30 to 11:00 am for a Christmas Brunch. We will be serving brunch egg dishes, biscuits and gravy, fruit and pastries. There is no cost for the meal but we are asking for donations for children whose mothers are incarcerated at the Decatur Correctional Center. Gifts can be for children from infancy to age 18, but there is a great need for gifts for children ages Advent services will be on Wednesday, December 19. The 10:00 am service will be at the DMH Cancer Care Center, followed by Adult Bible Study at 10:30 in the fellowship hall back at the church. Dinner will be served at 5:00 pm and evening service will be 6:30 pm in the sanctuary. Dinner will be served by the High School Youth attending National Youth Gathering. Menu: Sloppy Joe Sandwiches Ladies Friendship Circle will be Tuesday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. Bring a snack and enjoy some bingo and Christian fellowship. Don t forget your items for DOVE. Hope to see you there. Wednesday Adult Bible Study Class: There will be NO Wednesday Adult Bible Study class on Wednesday, December 19, 26, and January 2.

10 Poinsettias: If you wish to purchase a Poinsettia in someone s memory or honor, please use a Poinsettia offering envelopes located on the back table. Deadline to purchase the Poinsettias is Sunday, December 16. Mitten Christmas Tree: The Christmas Tree is in the foyer and needs your help with decorations. Donate gloves, mittens, and hats; and hang them on the tree. Donations will go to Northeast Community Fund. Attention Parents of Sunday School Children: Sunday School classes are collecting packages of cookie mix during the month of December. This Sunday we will observe baptismal birthdays for the Month of December, for children up through high school. This will take place in both services. A note to parents of young children: Did you know that when your child reaches age 3, he or she is welcome to start Sunday School? Christmas Service Schedule Sunday, December 23: One Morning Service at 9:30 AM Lessons and Carols Monday, December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Services 3:00, 4:30, Contemporary Candlelight Service at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 25: 9:30 a.m. with Communion Pro-Life Corner: We love children as they can remind us of the simple fact of love s openness and embrace of new life and communion of one person with another. Children can open up our hearts to this. That our society now treats children the way it does is a dark shame, another sign of its separation from God. Regardless, we confess that Jesus Christ, Son of God, has come in the flesh and preach these glad tidings to all. James M. Kushiner, The Fellowship of St. James

11 LSA News Lost and Found is overflowing with items. Please take a look before Christmas Break to make sure your student isn t missing anything. Any items left in lost and found after Friday, December 21 st will be donated to the LSA ReSale Shop. Box Tops for Education: LSA is collecting Box Tops labels. Each label is worth ten cents. Please check to make sure they are not expired. You may bring them to the church office, and we will send them on to the LSA. Sun., Dec. 16 7:00 pm 7 th 12 th Grade Christmas Concert Mon., Dec. 17 6:00 pm HS Girls Basketball vs. Arcola Home Last Week s Giving General Fund... $10, Amount Needed To Meet Budget... $16, Adult Sunday School... $39.00 Last Week s Attendance 8:30 a.m :00 a.m Total Advent 10:00 a.m :30 p.m Adult Sunday School Children s Sunday School... 56

12 THE LORD S WORK Sunday, December 16 8:30 a.m.... Traditional Service 9:30 11:00 a.m.... Christmas Brunch 9:45 a.m.... Education Hour 11:00 a.m.... Contemporary Service 6:00 p.m.... Sr. High Youth Group Monday, December :00 a.m.... YMCA Preschool 6:30 p.m.... Boy Scouts (Rock) 6:30 p.m.... Cub Scouts (Ed Wing) Tuesday, December 18 1:00 p.m....staff Meeting 1:00 p.m.... Friendship Circle (FH) 3-5:00 p.m.... YMCA Preschool 6:00 p.m.... Worship Planning Meeting Wednesday, December 19 9:00 11:00 a.m.... YMCA Preschool 10:00 a.m.... Advent Service at the Cancer Care Center 5:00 p.m.... Advent dinner begins 6:30 p.m.... Advent Services 7:30 p.m.... Choir Rehearsal Thursday, December :00 p.m.... YMCA Preschool 5:30 p.m.... TOPS 6:30 p.m.... Worship Practice Friday, December 21 No church activities scheduled. Saturday, December 22 No church activities scheduled. Sunday, December 23 9:30 a.m.... One Service - Lessons and Carols 6:00 p.m.... All Youth Groups (YMCA Before/After School Care, Monday through Friday)