The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Transcription

1 The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost Saint John Lutheran Church Hattiesburg, Mississippi August 21, 2016

2 Welcome! "How great is the Love the Father has lavished on us!" (1 John 3:1). We are thankful that you are joining in the worship of the people of God this day. Ushers at the door are glad to assist you at any time. Please check that cell phones are silenced. Restrooms are located down either hallway to the right. Prayer requests may be written on the white cards in the pew rack and given to an usher before worship begins, or as you leave. A nursery is available to parents as needed, down the first hallway to the right. Please take your child to the restroom before dropping them off at the nursery. Activity bags to help keep young children occupied during the message are provided in the back right corner of the sanctuary. Please tell us a bit about yourself on the Record of Friendship during the collection of the offering. About the Offering An offering is gathered today during the worship service. Here the people of God bring their tithes and sacrificial offerings as an expression of their discipleship, and for the continuation of Jesus mission work, both in this community and to the ends of the earth. Guests are not expected to bring financial gifts, but are welcome to join the congregation in offering their prayers and praises. About Holy Communion Today we celebrate Holy Communion. In this, we remember that the divine is united with the created as one in the person of Jesus. This altar is the Lord s table. Here all are welcome who acknowledge their need for a Savior, and look to Jesus. We believe what he simply says about the bread This is my body, given for you. and about the wine This is my blood, shed for you. Thus, the Lord Jesus is truly present for his redeemed people in this holy meal. In this we retain the divine mystery in the midst of his ordinary creation. From the many seeds of wheat come one loaf. From the many grapes are pressed one cup. His many diverse people constitute one body and community of faith. Young children are welcome to this altar to receive a blessing, as are those who have not been instructed in the Christian faith. Please indicate your desire for a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest or by simply asking for a blessing. Alcohol-removed communion wine is available for those who desire it. The individual communion cups in the center of the tray contain denatured wine, which contains less than ½% alcohol. This wine is pink in color. Gluten-free wafers are available at distribution upon request. We are imperfect people and we live in an imperfect world. We are all in this together. So when we believe or act wrongly towards someone, or when we feel that another has wronged us, we commit ourselves to the humble teaching and forgiving pattern of Jesus in Matthew 18. 2

3 The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost Prayer As We Begin Please stand. + GATHERING + C Heavenly Father, as we come before you this morning in Jesus name, we pray all that we say and do in our worship will give you glory. Help us, Lord, to focus our thoughts on you, so your Word will find fertile ground in our minds and hearts. May the worship service today accomplish in us the purpose you desire. Amen. The Invocation, Confession, and Absolution P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P Beloved in the Lord! If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence for reflection on God s Word and for self-examination. Then the confession. P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. The minister declares God s forgiveness. P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. C Amen. Venite O Come, Let Us Sing Psalm 95:1-7 (pp ) CHOIR ALL 3

4 ALL LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT LEFT RIGHT ALL 4

5 CHOIR ALL Peace and Collect Prayer L The LORD be with you. C And also with you. L We pray together... C O Lord, You have called us to enter Your kingdom through the narrow door. Guide us by Your Word and Spirit, and lead us now and always into the feast of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Please be seated. + WORD + First Reading Isaiah 66:18-23 L The Old Testament Reading for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost is from Isaiah, chapter 66. The Lord will gather his people from the ends of the earth to worship before him. 18 For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, 19 and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations. 20 And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the LORD. 21 And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the LORD. 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. 23 From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me, declares the LORD. L This is the Word of the LORD. C Thanks be to God. 5

6 Second Reading Hebrews 12:4-24 L The Epistle is from Hebrews, chapter 12. Our struggle against sin should be regarded as loving discipline that is accomplished by the grace of God. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; 16 that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. 17 For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears. 18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest 19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. 20 For they could not endure the order that was given, If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned. 21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, I tremble with fear. 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. L This is the Word of the LORD. C Thanks be to God. Alleluia Verse Please stand. 6

7 Holy Gospel Luke 13:22-30 L The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the 13 th chapter. 22 [Jesus] went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, Lord, will those who are saved be few? And he said to them, 24 Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us, then he will answer you, I do not know where you come from. 26 Then you will begin to say, We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets. 27 But he will say, I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil! 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. 29 And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. L This is the Gospel of the Lord. The Catechesis P During the Sundays following Pentecost we confess our faith as we recite a portion of the Small Catechism, which teaches what it means to follow Jesus and trains up his disciples. Catechesis: The Lord s Prayer As the head of the family should teach the Lord s Prayer in a simple way to their household. The Third Petition Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. What does this mean? The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is God s will done? God s will is done when he breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God s name or let his kingdom come; and when he strengthens and keeps us firm in his Word and faith until we die. This is his good and gracious will. Please be seated. 7

8 667 Saints, See the Cloud of Witnesses 5 Lord, give us faith to walk where You are sending, On paths unmarked, eyes blind as to their ending; Not knowing where we go, but that You lead us With grace precede us. 6 You, Jesus, You alone deserve all glory! Our lives unfold, embraced within Your story; Past, present, future You, the same forever You fail us never! The Message A Place at the Lord s Table: Finding a Firm Foundation in Tumultuous Times The Prayers of the Church The Collection of Tithes and Offerings For the continuation of Christ s work, both in this place and to the ends of the earth. Get Connected We are grateful to worship together today. Please note your attendance in the Record of Fellowship. New and updated contact information is always helpful. Thanks! 8

9 + MEAL + This is Christ s table. Our Savior invites those who trust in him to share the feast which he has prepared. In this meal we truly receive the body and blood of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a great and divine mystery! Here we are joined with God and all the saints, and receive the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Young children and those who would prefer to receive a blessing are welcome to come forward. Alcohol Removed Communion Wine The individual communion cups in the center of the tray contain denatured wine, which contains less than ½% alcohol. Gluten-free wafers are available at distribution upon request. The Preface and Hymn of Praise Please stand. P The LORD be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the LORD. P Let us give thanks to the LORD our God. C It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P It is truly good, right, and salutary... evermore praising You and saying: Sanctus Prayer of Thanksgiving 9

10 The Our Father C Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. The Words of Institution Agnus Dei Distribution Hymns 981 To Your Temple, Lord, I Come 10

11 6 While Your ministers proclaim Peace and pardon in Your name, Through their voice, by faith, may I Hear You speaking from the sky. 7 From Your house when I return, May my heart within me burn, And at evening let me say, I have walked with God today. 673 Jerusalem, My Happy Home 5 Apostles, martyrs, prophets, there Around my Savior stand; And soon my friends in Christ below Will join the glorious band. 6 O Christ, do Thou my soul prepare For that bright home of love That I may see Thee and adore With all Thy saints above. 11

12 976 Give Me Jesus + SENDING + Concluding Prayer, Benedicamus, and Blessing L Let us bless the LORD. C Thanks be to God. L We speak the Romans 15 blessing to one another: May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in him, so that YOU may overflow with HOPE by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. L The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD look upon you with favor and T give you peace. C Amen Saint John Hattiesburg 70th Anniversary November 12-13, 2016 Saturday Evening, Nov. 12th Anniversary Banquet Sunday Morning, Nov. 13th Reception and Festival Worship Help us assemble an invitation list. Use the blue cards. 12

13 813 Rejoice, O Pilgrim Throng 6 At last the march shall end; The wearied ones shall rest; The pilgrims find their home at last, Jerusalem the blest. Refrain 7 Praise Him who reigns on high, The Lord whom we adore: The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore. Refrain Why Come to Group Bible Study? - Welcoming environment - Faith intersects with life - Conversational approach - Level-playing field Our Bible Study Takeaway Guarantee: Those who even marginally prepare and participate will take away more strength of faith and boldness in loving than before. "The Acts of the Apostles is Sundays at 9:15am and Wednesdays at 5:00pm. Gohlke Home Bible Study is on summer break until September. THIS WEEK SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT :15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 12pm AA Mtg 12pm AA Mtg 12pm AA Mtg 12pm AA Mtg 12pm AA Mtg 10am AA Mtg 6pm Choir 12:15 Prayer 1:30 Kaffee Klatsch 13

14 \ Serving the Lord Today Pastor John Karle Altar Guild Nancy Kaul and Josie Nwachuku Organist Elder Acolyte Ushers Nursery Sunday School Teachers Jason Sims Ron Johnson Ethan Noffke Wayland Johnson and Terry Lovdahl Gabby Bulger Lillian Smith, Gil Emmons Lorhetta Lawrence, June Songy, and Sonja Chaney Scriptures for Next Sunday Isaiah 66:18-23 Hebrews 12:4-24 Luke 13:22-30 Today s Theme The Lord makes all things new in heaven and on earth. We struggle against sin; Jesus sheds blood to acquit. Sons and daughters rebel; the Lord disciplines and loves. Punishment is temporal; peaceful righteousness is forever. We are heirs of this new paradox worthy of disdain; but in Christ we inherit His divine favor. Believers do not weep and gnash their teeth. But in heaven, faithfilled tongues and hearts will be engaged in unbridled confession and worship of Jesus. Baptism Anniversaries Darrin Renz August 22 Ava Cubley August 25 Luke Johnson August 25 Grey Jordan August 25 Wedding Anniversaries Julie & Richard Radavich, 51 Aug. 21 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-12noon. Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday at 9am. Altar Flowers: in Celebration of Ryne Lovdahl s 31 st birthday. Eternal Candle: Terry and Patrice Lovdahl in Celebration of 37 years of marriage AWESOME AUGUST Sermon Series Finding a Firm Foundation in Tumultuous Times 1. August 7 th Facing Fear Head-On; You ve Got a Kingdom Luke 12: August 14 th A House Divided; You ve Got a Baptism Luke 12: August 21 st Shut Out and Shunned; You ve Got a Table Luke 13: August 28 th Over-Worked and Wrung-Out; You ve Got a Rest Luke 14:1-14 Hearing Assistance Devices are available from the ushers upon request. Live Streaming of Worship Services Click on the Watch Live button on our new website: Member Recognition Sunday, August 28 th during worship we re going to recognize what God s doing in bringing new folks to Saint John Hattiesburg. Those interested in membership are asked to live like a member, that is, to worship together weekly, to seek and find places to grow and serve, and to join (or start!) a community where you share life with other people. Please complete the membership paperwork and drop off at the church office by Monday, August 22 nd. 14

15 Congregational Meeting Announcement The Church Council has scheduled the second congregational voters assembly for NEXT SUNDAY, August 28th following worship to approve the proposed organizational design with Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. We want you to be informed and ask questions! Please see the August newsletter (page 2) for more information and how you can participate in the process in the coming weeks. Materials distributed last Sunday and mailed to members' homes are also available at the foyer mailboxes. Pastor Karle and Organizational Design Task Force members welcome your questions and concerns ahead of the August 28th voters assembly. Junior High Southern District Youth Gathering The theme is: "Men in Black: Rated R for Reconciliation" based on 1 John 4:4-6. The gathering is Friday night through Sunday noon, November at the beautiful Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center near Florence, MS, southeast of Jackson. Discounted registration of $99 opens September 5th. After September 20 th registration increases to $105. Deadline is October 24th. Presenters are pastors Tim Schutt and Greg Manning of New Orleans. Organizational Design Process and Open Meetings The second of the open meetings took place this morning at 9:15am. We want all interested members to invest the time and effort ahead of time to study and understand what's at stake and why the proposed improvements are so very timely and important to accomplishing the mission Jesus' has given us. We truly desire the highest level of informed participation and discussion and have crafted several options to accommodate the entire congregation. Please avail yourself of the various documents, discussion times, and ready Task Force members that God's kingdom might advance and increase among us! A Note from Congregation President Bill Coll I am pleased to announce that as a result of your commitment and generosity we made positive progress toward eliminating our financial deficit in July. It is to the your credit that when there is a need, you have always found a way to meet and overcome the obstacles. While we have more work to do, I am optimistic that we will continue to make progress. Thanks you for your commitment to Jesus' Great Commission! Oktoberfest Spotlight Today Pat Potesta will discuss the silent auction at Oktoberfest. Oktoberfest German Mustard If you are interested in purchasing a half-pint or pint at $4 or $7, please contact Darlene Boortz at or the church office before September 23 rd and we will reserve your purchase. Community Activities Public Safety Community Conversation The city of Hattiesburg invites you to join a panel on Tuesday, August 23 rd from 6-7:30pm at the Jackie Dole Community Center to discuss Understanding Police and Citizen Responsibility of Unified Public Safety Working Together Staying above the Madness. Lighting Longleaf 5K Glow Run begins at the Southern Miss Gateway at 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 15 th and continues down the Longleaf Trace. Registration is $25 and all proceeds help purchase lights for the new extension of the Longleaf Trace. You can find more information at runsignup.com. 15

16 Prayers Needed Cory Thiel Serving in Middle East (6m) Son of Norbert and Trenia Thiel 4/3/16 Matthew Geroux Serving in Middle East (6m) Son of Kerry and Debbie Geroux 7/24/06 Bailey Walters Marine Camp Paris Island Member 8/13/16 Dylan Cubley Chemotherapy Member 4/10/16 Joey Spradley Cancer Friend of the Congregation 4/10/16 Chris Gohlke Cancer Family of Mary Gohlke 6/13/16 Stacie Humphries Cancer Friend of Kerry and Debbie Geroux 7/24/16 Pipper Hickman Cancer Friend of Kerry and Debbie Geroux 8/14/16 Rev. Bruce Sommerfield Cancer Friend of Dennis and Lillian Smith 8/14/16 Marilyn Henkels Bedford Care Member 3/13/16 Michael Beverly Hospice Brother of Darlean Michuoku 6/1/16 Susan Brand Health and Strength Sister of Pat Potesta 5/15/16 Edina Holmes Health and Strength Sister of Josie Nwachuku 5/22/16 Richard Radavich Health and Strength (home) Member 6/3/16 Doris Canfield Health and Strength (home) Member 6/23/16 Anna Marie Jacobs Health and Strength Friend of Catherine Spearing 7/3/16 Earl Dawkins Health and Strength Member 7/14/16 Melissa Ellzey Health and Strength Family of Shirley Ellzey 7/24/16 Olivia Odom Health and Strength Family of Shirley Ellzey 7/24/16 Lisa Case Health and Strength Member 8/14/16 Earl Trougott Stroke Brother of Lillian Smith 7/3/16 Lena Claire Lowery Open Heart Surgery 7/26 Family of Wayland and Jane Johnson 7/24/16 Charles Leatherwood Burn Friend of Josie Nwachuku 8/14/16 Love. Like. Jesus. T Hope for the City. Saint John Lutheran Church 2001 Hardy Street Hattiesburg MS Telephone: Website: stjohnlutheranchurch@gmail.com Like Us on Facebook: USM Campus Mission Like Us on Facebook: Oktoberfest Hattiesburg Like Us on Facebook: Saint John Church Hattiesburg Like Us on Facebook: Longleaf Heights Neighborhood Association 16