SABERMETRICS OF LAW & GOSPEL

Transcription

1 SABERMETRICS OF LAW & GOSPEL Third Sunday in Advent

2 Bethany Lutheran Church Port Orchard, WA Evangelical Lutheran Synod December 17, 2017 WELCOME TO WORSHIP Welcome and thank you for joining us for worship today! In our service we gather before our almighty and saving God to offer Him our worship and praise. We also assemble to hear God s holy and powerful Word and celebrate His life-giving Sacraments. Through these means, God strengthens our faith and walks us ever closer to our eternal home with Him. YOUR PARTICIPATION IS ENCOURAGED To participate in this service, just follow along in this service folder. Lutheran worship is specifically designed to include the participation of the assembly. We are not here to be an audience, we are here to speak and sing the Word of God to each other. Parts marked P are spoken by the pastor, and parts marked C are spoken or sung ( )by the congregation. SERVING IN WORSHIP Preacher Pastor Tony Pittenger Liturgist Pastor David Locklair Organist Mrs. Cathy Sharrett Ushers 8:15 Team 1 (Seals) Ushers 11 Team 12 (Lorette) Acolytes 8:15 Micah/Jack/Nika Pittenger, Eileen Lee Acolytes 11 Cayenne & Gus Burleson, Becky & Lizzie Riedel Greeters 8:15 Ray & Wendy Killgore Greeters 11 Ron & Kristin Baur Elder on duty this week Doug Seals HEARING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE please ask for a receiver at the usher station COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Artwork by Ian M. Welch. Copyright 2013 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. paramentics.com Cover Art & Explanation Copyright 2017 According to Your Word, Tacoma, WA. All rights reserved. 2

3 MATINS (page 109 in The Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary) please stand PROCESSIONAL HYMN (8:15AM) Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes 66 ANTHEM (11AM) Gaudete* Choir (*see explanation/lyrics on page 8) THE CONFESSION OF SIN P: Dearly Beloved! We have come together in the presence of God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hand, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His holy Word, and to ask for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and salvation. O come, let us worship Him! Let us kneel and bow down before Him. Let us confess our sins with penitent hearts, and obtain forgiveness by His infinite grace and mercy. C: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed the devices and desires of our hearts. We have offended against Your holy law. We have done those things which we should not have done, and we have not done those things which we should have done. Have mercy on us, O Lord! Spare us and restore us, according to the promises You have declared to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. For His sake grant that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Your holy name. P: The almighty and merciful Lord has granted us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins, grace for true repentance and amendment of life, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen. VERSICLES P: O Lord, open my lips. C: And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. P: Make haste, O God, to deliver me. C: Make haste to help me, O Lord. C: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore, Amen. Alleluia! be seated INVITATORY P: O come, let us worship the Lord. C: For He is our Maker. 3

4 VENITE C: O come, let us sing to the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God: and a great King above all gods. In His hands are the deep places of the earth; The strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. O come let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. For He is our God: And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: Forevermore. Amen. THE WORD OF GOD /LECTION THE CATECHISM LESSON P: What are the two main teachings of the Bible? C: The two main teachings of the Bible are the Law and the Gospel. P: What is the Law? C: The Law is that Word of God which tells us how we are to be, and what we are to do and not to do. P: What is the Gospel? C: The Gospel is that Word of God which reveals the salvation Christ has won for all people. It is the saving truth that Jesus Christ fulfilled the law for us and died for us. P: What is the difference between the Law and the Gospel? C: The Law shows us our sin and the anger of God; the Gospel shows us our Savior and the grace of God. (Questions #10-13 & 105 from the ELS Catechism Explanation) EPISTLE LESSON Galatians 5:1-9 (ESV) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. P: O Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Thanks be to You, O Lord! 4

5 THE READING from Luther s Works Vol. 23 These two points must be made: The Law creates a thirst and leads to hell; the Gospel, however, satisfies the thirst and leads to heaven. The Law states what we must do, but that we have fallen short of doing it, no matter how holy we may be. Thus it produces uncertainty in me and arouses this thirst. It says (Ex. 20:13): You shall not kill, directing all my attention to my works. It says (Matt. 22:37 ff.): You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. You shall not commit adultery, not use the name of the Lord in vain, not steal. And it concludes: Make sure that your past life has conformed to these precepts, and that you still live according to them. When you examine your life, you will find that you do not love God with all your heart, as you should. You are constrained to confess: Oh, dear God, I have failed to do this! I have not kept the Law. For I do not love God with all my heart today, nor will I tomorrow. Year after year I make confession. I never finish admitting that I have done this and that. When will it end? When will your heart be at rest and be certain of divine grace? You will ever remain in doubt. Tomorrow you will be obliged to confess the same as you do today. Confession goes on and on. Where will your conscience come to rest and find a sure footing? Where will it find assurance of its good relationship to God? No matter how much you know, your heart cannot give you that assurance. For the Law remains in force, and it says: You must love God and your neighbor with all your heart. And if you admit that you do not do so, it replies: You must do it. Thus the Law terrifies you and makes you thirsty, so that you finally ask with fear and trembling: What must I do to gain God s favor? I must obtain God s grace. But how? By keeping the Ten Commandments? By amassing good works and much merit? That is impossible. I do not keep the Ten Commandments. Therefore grace will not be mine. Thus it happens that man finds no peace of mind through his good works, and yet he would like to have a clear conscience. He longs for a good, cheerful, quiet, and comforted conscience; he thirsts for peace. This is the thirst which is not appeased until Christ appears and says: If you would like to be content and enjoy peace of mind and a good conscience, I advise you to come to Me. Give up Moses and your works. Learn the difference between Me and Moses. Your thirst you got from Moses. His role and his office were to frighten you and to make you thirsty. But now come to Me, believe in Me, hear My doctrine. I am a different type of Preacher; I will give you drink and refresh you. Luther, M. (1999). Luther s works, vol. 23: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 6-8. (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald, & H. T. Lehmann, Eds.) (Vol. 23, pp ). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House. 5

6 THE SERMON HYMN As Angels Joyed with One Accord CW5 please stand GOSPEL LESSON & SERMON TEXT John 1:15-18 (ESV) J ohn bore witness about Him, and cried out, This was He of whom I said, He who comes after me ranks before me, because He was before me.. 16 For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father s side, He has made Him known. be seated SERMON SABERMETRICS OF LAW AND GOSPEL. 6

7 GOD S PEOPLE RESPOND OFFERING This is a moment in our worship when members and friends of Bethany Lutheran respond to God s good news with gifts to support His saving work. If you are a guest with us today, please do not feel obligated to participate. THE POST-OFFERING HYMN Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord 91 please stand PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord: P: For the Church, that the God of comfort would pardon the iniquities of all who hear the Word and receive the Sacraments, let us pray to the Lord: P: For all sinners, that the God of comfort would grant them faith to receive the forgiveness and eternal salvation given through the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord: P: For the pure proclamation of the Word, that the God of comfort would cause the breath of the Lord to come upon us, and that the Word of our God would stand forever as He promises, let us pray to the Lord: P: For our president, governor, mayor, legislature and magistrates, that the God of comfort would work through them to enact and enforce laws which allow Christians to live and worship in peace, let us pray to the Lord: P: For the hungry, homeless, less fortunate and unemployed, that the God of comfort would have the good news preached to them and guide us all to come to their help and aid, let us pray to the Lord: P: For the sick, hospitalized and recovering, [especially,] that the God of comfort would heal them and strengthen them to endure their afflictions, let us pray to the Lord: P: For those who mourn, that the God of comfort would bless them with confidence in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, and that God s people may give thanks for all who have gone before us in the faith, let us pray to the Lord: P: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. KYRIE C: Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. 7

8 LORD S PRAYER 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. MORNING PRAYER P: Let us pray: O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, having safely brought us to the beginning of this day, defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doing, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. C: Amen. be seated ANNOUNCEMENTS please stand BENEDICAMUS P: Let us bless the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. BENEDICTION P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: Amen. ANTHEM (8:15AM) Gaudete* Choir *Gaudete is a Christmas Carol that was first published in 1582, but quite likely existed as a carol much earlier in the late medieval period. Gaudete means "be glad" or "rejoice." This song is inspired by the historic Introit for the third Sunday in Advent, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!" Translation: Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary Rejoice! The time of grace has come, what we have wished for, let us give back faithfully, songs of joy! God has become man, with nature marveling. The world has been renewed by Christ who is reigning! Therefore, let our preaching now sing in brightness, let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King! RECESSIONAL HYMN (11AM) Hark the Glad Sound! The Savior Comes 66 8

9 CALENDAR SUNDAY 12/17 MONDAY, 12/18 TUESDAY, 12/19 WEDNESDAY 12/20 SUNDAY 12/24 MONDAY, 12/25 8:15 am & 11:00 am Worship 9:45 am Sunday School for all ages 7:00 pm Worship 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm BLS/ELS Christmas Song Service 8:20 am BLS/ELC Chapel 11:30 am Early dismissal K-8 for Christmas vacation 3:30 pm Jr. Confirmation 7:00 pm Choir practice Christmas Eve 10:00 am Advent 4 Worship (no Sunday School) 1:00 pm Sunday School Children s Christmas Eve program 11:00 pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Christmas Day 10:00 am Christmas Day Festival Worship (office closed; no Monday evening worship tonight) THE RECORD Flowers on the altar today are given to the glory of God by Mike Mary McInnis in honor of Colleen & Tim s first anniversary and Karen s 27 th birthday. Last Sunday 189 of God s people came to worship and hear His holy Word. 64 attended Sunday School and Adult Bible Class. 93 received Holy Communion. Budget Update (from Finance Chairman Henry Shadbolt): As of November 26 th (48 weeks) budget year-to-date giving is up by 10%. Total projected: $328, Actual: $361, Abounding by: $ 33, $10K match is at: $ 8, Holiday Office Schedule: Mon-Thurs 12/ am-4pm Fri, 12/22 8am-noon Mon-Tues, 12/25-26 closed Wed-Fri 12/ am-noon Mon, 1/1/18 closed Tuesday 1/2/18 8am-noon 9

10 STEWARDSHIP MESSAGE OF THE WEEK God provides. We are called to be stewards of what God provides. Keeping that relationship in the correct perspective is critical in being a good steward. ANNOUNCEMENTS SEMINARY STUDENTS EMERGENCY FUND deadline today 12/17 Each year Ladies CONNECT supports our future pastors by gathering a Christmas collection to assist them with unexpected needs (car repairs, medical bills, etc.) while they are immersed in their studies. Display and donation can is in the narthex; please consider blessing them as they prepare to serve us! LADIES: GUILD/CONNECT & ALTAR CARE HELP NEEDED Please take a moment to complete & return the pink slips in your church mailboxes, so we can establish our service teams for Altar Care group needs you sign up TODAY on the chart posted on the CONNECT board next to the office window. Teams of two serve for one month. Each week they dust & polish the altar, pulpit, communion rail, & baptismal font, fill the candles, etc. Twice monthly they also setup, resupply and takedown the communion vessels. Training and assistance is always available. Help is needed in all months but January, May & October. GIVING TREE UPDATE deadline today 12/17 Our Giving Tree concludes today. Please have ALL wrapped gifts (with tag attached) here at the church NO LATER THAN 8:30am tomorrow, Monday 12/18. Thank you! FLOWERS ON THE ALTAR IN 2018 A new flower chart is up next to the stairway door; sign up to sponsor one or more Sundays next year. Cost is $35 (slight increase from last year). Make check payable to Ladies Guild and drop off in the office any time before your selected date(s). 10

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12 HOLIDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE Christmas Eve Advent 4 Worship Sunday School Children s Program Candlelight Service Christmas Day Festival Worship New Year s Eve Worship w. Communion 10:00am 1:00pm 11:00pm 10:00am 10:00am About the Cover: The Holy Gospel P: The Holy Gospel for is written in the chapter of the Gospel according to St., beginning at the verse. C: Glory be to You, O Lord! P: This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. C: Praise be to You, O Christ! The lesson from the Holy Gospel is a reading from one of the four Gospel books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which, together, tell the account of Christ s life, most notably His birth, Baptism, death, and resurrection, as well as His institution of Holy Baptism and the Lord s Supper. The congregation responds appropriately with praise for Christ s perfect life, innocent death, and almighty resurrection. Matthew s shield includes a winged man, since his gospel begins with the human ancestry of Christ. Mark s shield portrays a winged lion, a desertdweller just like John the Baptizer. John s shield depicts an eagle, since the initial verses in his gospel lift us up to heaven, where God dwells. Luke s shield portrays a winged ox, a sacrificial animal, which is appropriate since his gospel begins with the account of Zacharias, a New Testament priest who was in charge of many animal sacrifices. Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, we thank You that the Evangelists have faithfully recorded the work of salvation that Jesus accomplished for us. May we always treasure the Gospels. Amen. 151 Tremont St. W bethany.lutheran@wavecable.com Worship Schedule: Sunday 8:15 & 11am; Monday 7:00pm; Sunday School for all ages 9:45am 12