Memorial Day Service A Time to Remember

Transcription

1 Memorial Day Service A Time to Remember May 28 & May 29, 2016

2 Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage Church Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com AS WE GATHER: The best way to thank those who have died that we might live in freedom is to remember them. Through our remembrance of them we reach back into the meaningful past in order to participate in the plan for the future. It is not simply that we learn from history; we are joined to it---it is our history. We honor those who died for us only as the future for which they died takes shape. We confess to God how often we have forgotten them, especially as the inequality, lawlessness, hate, and tyranny they fought to overcome are still with us. For the sacrifices made for us to live as a free people, we thank God. Those sacrifices also remind us of the sacrifice God made when His Son Jesus Christ died on the cross for us. PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Prayer for Memorial Day Everlasting Lord, we come to bow our heads in respect to you, and thank you for our great country. Lord, we come before you today remembering our country's heroes both dead and alive. We purpose to make this day a time to show honor to the men and women whose sacrifice has helped to keep us safe and free. We acknowledge their bravery, and we want to recognize the sacrificial contributions of each one. 2

3 Stir our hearts, Lord, with patriotism and thankfulness as we think about our country's treasures lying in graves beneath our nation's soil and the soil of lands far away. May we be inspired to be more abundant in our giving as we commemorate their lives of service to others. They gave the ultimate sacrifice, and we respectfully remember them today. Lord, we lift up the families and friends of those who gave their lives for their country. We ask you to minister to the deep longing of those who grieve. We ask you to bring your peace and supernatural comfort to each one as they recall their former happy times together. As we observe this day, we want to again respectfully honor all the men and women who presently serve in our armed forces. May they feel appreciated, and may they be powerfully protected this day and every day. We pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen. THE DIVINE SERVICE HYMN "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" LW 435 INVOCATION In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; 3

4 He heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 116:1 Our help is in the name of the LORD. Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8 With confidence will I confess my transgressions unto the Lord. For the Lord is gracious and compassionate and rich in forgiveness. Let us then confess our sins unto our gracious Lord. Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, mighty Judge of all people, we admit and confess our sinfulness. We have not lived up to our calling as Your faithful people. So often we have done the evil You forbid and too many times have not done the good You demand. We do repent and are truly sorry for our sins in thought, word, and deed. Have mercy on us, merciful Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, Your Son. Forgive us all wrongs that need Your grace, and with the power of the Holy Spirit direct us to serve You faithfully all our days, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. God has promised His merciful forgiveness to those who repent of their sins and turn to Him in confession. Therefore, in His stead and by His command, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 4

5 May God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you in ways of faith and obedience, and finally bring you to live with Him forever, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. INTROIT Psalm 33:12-22 People Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Sung: (LW 173) Glory be to God the Father, Glory be to God the Son, 5

6 KYRIE Spoken by All Glory be to God the Spirit: Great Jehovah, Three in One! Glory, glory While eternal ages run! Lord Have Mercy Christ Have Mercy Lord Have Mercy HYMN OF PRAISE Battle Hymn of the Republic (AGPS 69) 1 Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; he is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; he has loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword. God s truth is marching on. Refrain: Glory, glory hallelujah! Glory, glory hallelujah! Glory, glory hallelujah! God s truth is marching on. 2 God has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat and is sifting out all human hearts before the judgment seat; O be swift, my soul, to answer; O be jubilant my feet! Our God is marching on. [Refrain] 6

7 3 In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me; as he died to make us holy, let us live to make all free, while God is marching on. [Refrain] Text: Julia Ward Howe, , Public domain. Tune: BATTLE HYMN, American nineteenth century, Public domain. SALUTATION The Lord be with you. And with your Spirit. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, Author of peace and lover of concord, defend us, Your humble servants, from the assaults of our enemies that we, trusting in Your defense, may not fear the power of any adversary but may rejoice in Your abiding protection; through the might of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT READING TESTAMENT I Samuel 2:6-10 (A prayer of confidence in God's power) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSORY "God Bless Our Native Land" LW 497 God bless our native land; 7

8 Firm may it ever stand Through storm and night. When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave, Do Thou our country save By Thy great might. So shall our prayers arise To God above the skies On Him we wait. Thou who art ever nigh, Guarding with watchful eye, To Thee aloud we cry: God save the state! Text: Charles T. Brooks, , st. 1; John S. Dwight, , st. 2, alt., Public domain. Tune: NATIONAL ANTHEM (America), Thesaurus Musicus, London 1744, Public domain. EPISTLE Romans 8:31-39 (We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GRADUAL John 8:12b, Revelation 22:17a, 20 All: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. The Spirit and the Bride say "Come!" And let the one who hears say, "Come." 8

9 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am, coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. HOLY GOSPEL John 5:24-29 (Jesus promises the day of resurrection.) The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fifth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. (The Gospel is read.) This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. APOSTLES CREED I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. 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. Amen. SERMON HYMN "Of Loved and Fallen Soldiers" (Tune: SINE NOMINE, LW 191) 9

10 1. Of loved and fallen soldiers let us sing, And words of gratitude and honor bring. In praise to God with voices echoing, Alleluia, alleluia. 2. For freedom's sake in service to the end Each sacrificed a life as loving friend; So let our thanks to God for them ascend: Alleluia, alleluia. 3. May tributes made be more than memory, As in this nation, resolute and free We pray to God for lasting liberty. Alleluia, alleluia. Text: Copyright (c) 2011 Gregory J. Wismar. All rights reserved. Used by permission. SERMON OFFERING OFFERTORY (page 175 LW) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me, Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH 10

11 Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. For the whole Christian Church, that through it the will of God may be done among us on earth and that in it we may rejoice in hearing the good news of the Gospel, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the nations of the world and for all those entrusted with their leadership, that justice and peace may be known around the globe, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this congregation, that it may shine as a beacon reaching out into the community and beyond with the light of Christ; let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the Armed Forces of our nation, that those who serve may find satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment in the protection of our nation and its people, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For all the saints now called to Your eternal presence, Lord, we give You thanks. At this Memorial Day observance, we remember all the men and women who gave their lives for our nation to protect the freedom that we treasure. May their memory among us be blessed and their selfless sacrifices never be forgotten. In humble gratitude, let us pray to the Lord. 11

12 Lord Christ, have mercy and grant us Your peace. Amen. HYMN "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" HS Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm does bind the restless wave, Who bids the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. 2 O Savior, whose almighty word The winds and waves submissive heard, Who walked upon the foaming deep, And calm amid the rage did sleep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. 3 O Holy Spirit, who did brood Upon the waters dark and rude, And bid their angry tumult cease, And give for wild confusion peace; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. LORD S PRAYER CLOSING COLLECT Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by the patience and comfort of Thy holy Word we may 12

13 embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which You have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. BENEDICTION 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 give you peace. Numbers 6:24 26 Amen. CLOSING HYMN Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow LW 461 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, O heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. OUR MISSION AND MINISTRY We welcome our members and guests who are here with us today. May the Lord refresh you with peace and love during our worship service on this Memorial Day Sunday. Please join us here at Ebenezer again soon! Please sign the guest register near the front entrance with your name, address, and Church affiliation. 13

14 A Big Thank You to everyone who stayed after Church last Sunday to help make the decorations for our Vacation Bible School. Your help was greatly appreciated!! Picnic Silent Auction It has been decided to have a Silent Auction again this year at our Picnic. If you have any new or gently used items, hand made crafts, books or other small items you would like to donate, please bring them to the old basement, clearly marked with your name and value of the item. All donations will be appreciated. Please have them at the Church basement no later than this coming Tuesday, May 31 st. If you have any businesses that you frequent and would like to ask them for a donation, there are donation request letters on the table in the back of Church. Picnic Turtle Race and Cake Walk Once again this year we will have a Cake Walk and Turtle Race at our annual picnic. We would certainly appreciate donations of cakes or brownies for the Cake Walk. Don t forget to collect fast turtles for the Turtle Race. For more information, please contact Judy Hubenthal. Picnic Flyers Please also help yourself to Flyers that are on the table at the back of Church to advertise our Picnic. Please place them on public bulletin boards in stores and lunchrooms. Camp Trinity Annual Shamrock Day Camp Trinity is hosting its Annual Shamrock Day this coming Saturday, June 4 th. It is great fun for the whole family. The day will begin at 8:00 AM with a 5K Cross Country Race and 1 Mile Fun Run. There will be a Fishing Derby and a Sand Castle Building Competition, followed by a Devotional Awards Ceremony led by Pastor David Preus, LCMS Missionary in the Dominican Republic. BBQ lunch will be served from 11:30 14

15 2:00. All are welcome to stay around for the afternoon and enjoy the pool, canoes, hiking trails, Bounce House, etc. Call (573) or for more information or visit Camp Trinity s website There are still registration forms on the table at the back of Church. Registration will now be $20. Volunteers needed Father s Day is coming up soon! (Jlune 19 th ). We will be needing 5 ladies to volunteer to bake 6 dozen cookies to be brought up to Church by 9:00 AM on Saturday, June 18 th. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please let Margaret or Karen know if you can help. Thank you! Wednesday Morning and Evening Bible Study It s not too late to come to this Bible Study. This last week we studied the Third Commandment. Please come, even if you missed the first sessions. If you have not already signed up to help work at our Picnic on June 12 th, please consider doing so today. There is a job sign-up sheet at the back of Church. Those Serving Today Organist Saturday Laura Nichols Organist Sunday Ruth Marschel Head Usher Saturday Tracey Bade Head Usher Sunday Lee Kassebaum Altar Guild Mary Adams and Barb Gilbert Acolytes Trent Huellinghoff Ava Monzyk Tyler Kasmann Bell Ringer Cody Adams 15

16 Offerings and Attendance Weekly Contributions $ Plate Sunday School $ Attendance: Saturday Worship 14 Sunday Worship 54 Sunday School Attendance: Children 11 Adults 18 Monday Wednesday Friday Saturday This Week at Ebenezer Have a great Memorial Day! Bible Study 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM Ladies Aid 1:30 PM Worship with Holy Communion 5:00 PM 16