First English Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 September 17, 2017 First English Lutheran Church This Week in Our Parish Today Confirmand Reception Fellowship Ministers: Every Disciple Pastor: James M. Hallaway Parish Website: Tuesday, 9/19 9:15 Bible Study-FE EPISTLE DEADLINE Wednesday, 9/20 9:00 Quilting 9:30 Men s Coffee- FE 10:00 Balance Class 4:00 Confirmation 6:00 LYO Thursday, 9/21 4:00 Women of FE Exec Board Meeting Sunday, 9/24 8:30 Worship Service Sunday School Coffee Fellowship 9/10/ General $ 1, Loose $ Texas Relief $ Jim s Mission Trip $ World Hunger $ Food Shelf $ Building $ $ 2, Worship Assistants Pianist: Sandy Nelson Ushers: Trisha Knapp & family Greeters: Dan & Roxanne Gilbert Reader: Thomas Litzau Communion Server: Margo Ollila Communion Setup & Clean-up: Roxanne Gilbert Communion Helper: Lucas Litzau Acolyte: Torrey Carlson Mission Statement Friends In Christ Lutheran Church is a caring inclusive Christian Community, Dedicated to Word and Sacrament ministry; Growing in Christ; Sharing the faith; Serving neighbors; and Supporting each other.

2 Prayer Upon Entering the Sanctuary: Thank you Father for inviting me into the gathering of your people. Thank you for choosing me, for giving me your salvation. I come into this place in humility and with boldness. I m here to worship. I m here to fellowship, I m here for you. Through Jesus Christ my Lord and His shed blood I come. Amen WELCOME/ANNOUNCEMENTS *HYMN Redeemed (Big Daddy Weave) Seems like all I can see was the struggle Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past Bound up in shackles of all my failures Wondering how long is this gonna last Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son Stop fighting a fight that's already been won I am redeemed, You set me free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be I am redeemed, I'm redeemed All my life I have been called unworthy Named by the voice of my shame and regret But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head" I remember oh God, You're not done with me yet I am redeemed, You set me free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me 'Cause his day is long dead and gone Because I've got a new name, a new life I'm not the same And a hope that will carry me home I am redeemed, You set me free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be I am redeemed, You set me free So I'll shake off theses heavy chains And wipe away every stain now I'm not who I used to be Oh God I'm not who I used to be Jesus I'm not who I used to be 'Cause I am redeemed, Thank God, redeemed

3 FIRST LESSON Genesis 50:15-21 Pew Bible page 55 SECOND LESSON Romans 14:1-12 Pew Bible page 1206 OFFERING Give Thanks Give thanks with a grateful heart Give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son Give thanks with a grateful heart Give thanks to the Holy One Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son And now let the weak say, "I am strong" Let the poor say, "I am rich Because of what the Lord has done for us" We give thanks to You oh Lord We give thanks * GOSPEL READING Matthew 18:21-35 Pew Bible page 1046 SERMON Forgiveness is the Center of it All MY STATEMENT OF FAITH - Confirmand AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM PRESENTATION OF GIFTS FROM THE CHURCH *HYMN RED # 342 Just As I Am

4 *CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the aid of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that, attentive to your Word, we may confess our sins, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen P: Gracious God, C: have mercy on us. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things done and left undone. Uphold us by your Spirit so that we may live and serve you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen P: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. C: Amen *WORDS OF INSTITUTION *PRAYERS/LORD S PRAYER * SONG Come to the Table DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMENTS *POST COMMUNION PRAYER/PRAYERS FOR REVIVAL *BENEDICTION CLOSING HYMN You Never Let Go (Guy Penrod) GO NOW IN THE GRACE AND PEACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! * Please stand for these portions of the service if able.

5 You Never Let Go Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death Your perfect love is casting out fear And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life I won't turn back I know You are near And I will fear no evil For my God is with me And if my God is with me Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear? Oh no, You never let go Through the calm and through the storm Oh no, You never let go In every high and every low Oh no, You never let go. Lord, You never let go of me And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on A glorious light beyond all compare And there will be an end to these troubles But until that day comes We'll live to know You here on the earth And I will fear no evil For my God is with me And if my God is with me Whom then shall I fear? Whom then shall I fear? Oh no, You never let go Through the calm and through the storm Oh no, You never let go In every high and every low Oh no, You never let go. Lord, You never let go of me And, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on And there will be an end to these troubles But until that day comes Still I will praise You, still I will praise You(2X) Oh no Remember in Prayer Paul Shepersky Family of Gail Hawkins Tim Johnson Family of Mavis Torvinen Louise Sime Debbie Carlson Tom Carlson Sandy Zimmerman Lucille Erickson Kathy Mickelson Clark Meech Tom Mickelson Ron Usher Lynette Hilden Linda Miller Brent Freeman Mary Ann Lusti Brie Schilling Craig Ahlin Dennis & Rosie Anderson Tanya Porter Elaine Hollerud Naomi Butcher John Rader Thomas Merchlewicz Bruce Blanchard Elvin Yrjo Susan Gullekson Our Country & Military Jon Soppeland Hayden Paulson Braden Tjosaas Luke Hallaway Our Churches, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff Our Shut-ins

6 2017 First English Lutheran Church Confirmation Class GRACE NICOLE JACKSON THEME VERSE: James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. DATE OF BIRTH August 10, 2000 DATE OF BAPTISM September 17, 2000 PARENTS William & Jodi Jackson BAPTISMAL SPONSORS Jason Peterson & LeeAnn West MENTOR Dianne Schilling ERICA MARIE KICKER THEME VERSE: Psalm 25:4-5 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. DATE OF BIRTH October 2, 2001 DATE OF BAPTISM July 16, 2017 PARENTS Dave & Julia Kicker BAPTISMAL SPONSOR Bonnie Puttonen MENTOR Bonnie Puttonen

7 SAMARA JADE KICKER THEME VERSE: Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. DATE OF BIRTH February 23, 2003 DATE OF BAPTISM July 16, 2017 PARENTS Dave & Julia Kicker BAPTISMAL SPONSOR Sheila Puttonen MENTOR: Sheila Puttonen ANDREW CHRISTOPHER LITZAU THEME VERSE: Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. DATE OF BAPTISM August 10, 2003 DATE OF BIRTH May 30, 2003 PARENTS Ron & Lynn Litzau BAPTISMAL SPONSORS Paul & Marie Skoblik MENTOR Dick Dissmore TODAY WE CELEBRATE THE LORD S SUPPER --- Anyone who is baptized into Christ Jesus, who believes in Christ s Real Presence, and believes that to receive Christ is to receive forgiveness, is welcome to join us at the table to receive this Holy Sacrament. Everyone, no matter the age, is welcome to come to God s table of grace. The confirmands will be communed first with their family, sponsors, and mentors and spouses. Then the rest of the congregation is invited to come to God s table. The ushers will instruct you to come forward. Please come and receive the elements of grace and new life!

8 Today s Announcements Please join us for a cake reception following the service honoring the confirmands. Everyone is welcome. Next Sunday is Sunday School Rally Day. There are sign-up sheets in the fellowship hall for those who are willing to help out as Sunday morning greeters and to help with the coffee fellowship time as well. There will be a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at First English Lutheran Church following the worship service. We will be electing 3 members of First English (2 Administrative Board Current Members, 1 Congregation member) to create a temporary Tri-Parish Council. This Temporary Tri-Parish Council will serve until a Tri-Parish Agreement has been created and ratified by the congregations. The First English Family Fun Fest is on October 14 th. We are looking for baskets. Please place them on a table in the fellowship hall. Also, please be thinking of raffle or silent auction items that you would be willing to donate. School Kits are being collected for Lutheran World Relief, please see the list in the Women s booklet or the Epistle. A MATTER OF BALANCE classes will be held at First English starting on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 from 10:00 to 11:30 A.M. Classes will be held on Wednesdays for 8 weeks. For more information or to register, please call Sheila at Mahube-Otwa at The classes are free to attend! First English Lutheran Church is in need of pianists or organists for our Sunday morning services. If you or someone you know would be willing to fill this need, please contact the church office at or speak to Marie Henstorf or Pastor Jim. Our Savior s Lutheran Church in Sebeka is having a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 7 th from 8 to 12:30. Redeemer Lutheran Church is having a Bazaar & Rummage Sale on Friday, Oct. 6 from 8:30 to 4:30 and on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 8:30 to 1. Monies have been donated for Hurricane Relief. We will be sending those donations to the LCMC Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund (LDA Fund) to responsibly handle the administration of donations in response to natural disasters. Or send directly to LDA for Hurricane Harvey Relief efforts. Lutheran Disaster Assistance Fund, c/o St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 8300 C Avenue NE, Marion, IA 52302