Possessing and Confessing Life January 4, 2015

Transcription

1 Come into His Presence Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give him praise and give Him Praise. Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart your voices raise, your voices raise. Give glory and honor and power unto him Jesus the Name above all names. (Repeat Song) In the name of The Father + Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. We have an obligation but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if you put to death the misdeeds (the sins) of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. We need to confess our sin and put to death all that would separate us from life as a Child of God. Father, I agree with you: I was born in the darkness of sin and often return to that darkness. The light of your law exposes my sin and, with fear, I see the terrible punishment I deserve. Forgive my sins, dear Lord. Take away my darkness and draw me again into the life giving Light your Son s death and resurrection. Create in me a New Heart that lives to glorify you alone. Amen. Ephesians 1: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God s grace 8 that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God s possession to the praise of his glory.

2 St. Luke 2: And the child Jesus grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. 41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. 49 Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didn t you know I had to be in my Father s house? 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. 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 at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will 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 Above All Above all powers above all kings Above all nature and all created things Above all wisdom and all the ways of man You were here before the world began Above all kingdoms above all thrones Above all wonders the world has ever known Above all wealth and treasures of the earth There's no way to measure What You're worth Crucified laid behind the stone You lived to die rejected and alone Like a rose trampled on the ground You took the fall and thought of me above all (Repeat all)

3 THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION SHOULD I COMMUNE OR NOT? Those who eat and drink Our Lord s body and blood without understanding do so at great harm. Holy Communion is a public confession of the faith confessed at this Altar, and anyone not instructed by the Pastor, or who cannot positively answer the questions below, should not partake in the Sacrament. Please do join us at the Altar for a blessing, indicating your desire by simply crossing your hands over your heart. Do you understand that you are a sinner? Are you sorry for your sins of thought, word and deed, and do you hope to amend your sinful life with the help of the Holy Spirit? Do you recognize the true bodily presence of the Lord Jesus in and with the bread and wine? Do you believe in Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin and death who died on the cross so that you might be forgiven through faith in His merits? Non-Alcoholic Wine" - For those who are allergic to alcohol, we offer individual cups of white grape juice in each tray. Worthy is The Lamb Thank you for the cross, Lord. Thank you for the price you paid. Bearing all my sin and shame, in love you came And gave Amazing Grace. Thank you for the scars, Lord. Thank you for the nail-pierced hands. Wash me in Your cleansing flow, now all I know... Your forgiveness and embrace. Worthy is the Lamb Seated on the throne. We crown You now with many crowns You reign victorious! High and lifted up Jesus, Son of God. The Treasure of Heaven, crucified... Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb. (Repeat all)

4 In Christ, for the Church and the World Serving today Acolyte Ryan Frederique Jacob Gasbarro Reader Communion Asst. Jerry Nagle Everett Gasbarro Ushers Rich & Raoul Rich & George Communion Cleaning Diane Haschig Michelle Serving next week January 11 at the Traditional Service Counters Jim Farnsworth & Lois Moyo Dave Haschig & Ruth LeBlanc Coffee Fellowship January Circle Volunteers Sunday School NO SUNDAY SCHOOL THE ALTAR FLOWERS ARE DEDICATED TO THE GLORY OF GOD and in celebration of the baptism of Benjamin Ethan Phillips. Presented by grandparents, John and Pam Phillips. PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND REQUEST: Welcome Benjamin Ethan Phillips to the family of God. Safe travel to Arizona & California for Pastor & Cheryl. Prayers for Danny and Abbie Savukoski and their extended family as Little Daniel entered the glorious presence of His Lord. Because The Holy Spirit claimed Him in Baptism of Water and Word, we have the assurance that "To be away from the body is to be with the Lord." Pray for comfort and strength for the family. Rudy Lahti is home recovering from knee replacement on 12/23. Jared Whitcraft is scheduled to have hip replacement surgery on January 26 th. Shelby Forkey s sister, pray for relief, comfort and spiritual blessing for Shelby, her sister and the entire family. The homeless especially as the weather is getting colder. Sue s friend Amanda diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Prayers for her and her family. The members of Our Savior Lutheran, Westminster waiting for a response as they have extended a call. Pastor & Cheryl s friend Sherry, diagnosed with double breast cancer. Michelle s friend Tricia has had a recurrence of her cancer and is in treatment. The Gbarnga Lutheran School Mission Project. Marybeth, Pam & John Phillips friend, in addition to physical needs, pray for her heart to be opened by the Holy Spirit to the Gospel of Redemption in Jesus Christ. Valerie, Dennis Lauricella s sister health issues. Frank Babineau, Butch Brennan, Maddie Carrion, Sue Devereaux, Richard Forkey, Ted Hietala, John Meyer, Bob & Jean Pearson, Veikko Puputti, Elisha & Mackenzie Rhinhart, Pirkko Salonen, Maureen Smith, Minna Talviharju, Chris Wellens medical issues.

5 Attendance Christmas Eve & Christmas morning: 162 How we gave: $3,738. General Fund $3, Learning Center $-0- Missions $-0- Pineshore $-0- Attendance 12/28: 150 How we gave: $2, General Fund $2, Learning Center $50.00 Missions $-0- Pineshore $-0- General Fund weekly goal: $3,200 Actual General Fund relative to weekly goal: ($479) General Fund Year to Date Goal: $166,400 Actual General Fund Year to Date: ($23,868) TODAY: January 4, 2015 baptism of Benjamin Ethan Phillips 8:30 am Casual Worship Service 9:30 am Bible Study & fellowship 10:00 am Choir Rehearsal 10:30 am Traditional Worship Service 12 pm Confirmation Class Monday: January 5, :00 pm Preschool Board Meeting Thursday: January 8, :30 pm House Group at Barbara Sheridan s 7:00 pm NAMI Friday: January 9, :30 pm Preschool Nativity Play Sanctuary Saturday: January 10, :00 am LWML/Guild & Men s Bible Study Sunday: January 11, :30 am Worship Service with Deacon Steve Vekasy 9:45 am Sunday School 10:30 am Coffee & Fellowship Please join the Preschool children, family & staff for their Nativity Play. It is scheduled for Friday, January 9 th at 6:30 pm. Following the very short play, there will be light refreshments in the fellowship hall. Come and see our adorable children as they share the Christmas message with us! If you would like to help with refreshments and clean up we would appreciate any help given. In case of inclement weather, the rescheduled date will be Friday, January 16 th at 6:30 pm. Mark your calendars: January 18 th International Brunch This will be a time of food, fellowship and fun following our worship service; there will not be a Bible Study. The menu will be as varied and

6 exciting as our membership! Please bring your favorite national dish to share some suggestions: Tourtiere, Irish Scalloped Ham & Potatoes, German Potato Salad, Quiche, Pannukakku, Accra, Swedish Meatballs, Antipasto, Lasagna, Quesadillas, Rice & beans, Thai appetizer the list is endless! Signup sheets will be posted in the narthex as well as the fellowship hall. Be sure to invite your family and friends. Your participation and help is needed and appreciated; set up on Saturday, January 17 at 11 am and help needed with cleanup. If you have any questions, please contact Eila your input is important.