Commemoration of the Reformation

Transcription

1 Commemoration of the Reformation October 28/29, 2018 Redeemer Lutheran Church and 3K/4K Preschool 1712 Menasha Ave. Manitowoc, Wisconsin (920)

2 Welcome! Redeemer is glad that you are joining us this morning to worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you are a guest or visitor please sign the guest book at the entrance to the church so that we may contact you and see if there is any way that we may serve you. AS WE GATHER Today as we receive God s gift in worship we will be using Luther s Deutsche Messe (German Mass) from This is very similar to our regular Liturgy, but makes greater use of music. The purpose of Luther writing the Liturgy in this way was so that the laity would be able to sing and worship God while going about their day, as music is often easier to memorize. Originally the entire German Mass was chanted with the exception of the sermon. Prelude Announcements Opening Hymn: 656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Invocation P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. C Amen. Confession and Absolution P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. 2

3 (A moment of silence for self-examination) P O almighty God, merciful Father, C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. P Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. Kyrie T T T 3

4 Gloria in Excelsis 947 All Glory Be to God on High +Liturgy of the Word+ P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Let us Pray Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 4

5 who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. First Reading: Revelation 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Epistle Reading: Romans 3:19-28 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Hymn of the Day: 555 Salvation unto Us Has Come (vv.1-3, 9-10) Gospel Reading: John 8:31-36 P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 8 th chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. They answered him, We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, You will become free? 5

6 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ. Children s Message Creed Hymn: 953 We All Believe in One True God Sermon Prayer of the Church P Lord, in your mercy C hear our prayer. Offering Offertory: 571 God Loved the World So That He Gave (verses 1&2) +Liturgy of the Sacrament+ P The Lord be with you. 2Timothy 4:22 C And also with you. 6

7 P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the Lord. Colossians3:1 P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Psalm 136 C It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Grant us Your Spirit, gracious Father, that we may give heed to the testament of Your Son in true faith and, above all, firmly take to heart the words with which Christ gives to us His body and blood for our forgiveness. By Your grace, lead us to remember and give thanks for the boundless love which He manifested to us when, by pouring out His precious blood, He saved us from Your righteous wrath and from sin, death, and hell. Grant that we may receive the bread and wine, that is, His body and blood, as a gift, guarantee, and pledge of His salvation. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. Lord s Prayer 7

8 P In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at His command, and with His own words, we receive His testament: Words of Institution Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) 8

9 Pax Domini P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. Agnus Dei 9

10 For the Communion Beliefs and Practices of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod please see the announcements at the back of the bulletin. Communion Hymns 566 By Grace I'm Saved 702 My Faith Looks Up to Thee 580 The Gospel Shows the Father's Grace Post-Communion Prayer P O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen Benediction and Dismissal P Let us bless the Lord. C Thanks be to God. P 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. P Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God! Closing Hymn: 578 Thy Strong Word 10

11 T Monday Worship T Redeemer Lutheran Church and 3K/4K Preschool 1712 Menasha Ave. Manitowoc, Wisconsin (920) Opening Songs: Offering (verse 2) Above All Invocation P In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism. C Amen. Confession and Absolution P Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, calling upon Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. (A moment of silence for self-examination) P O almighty God, merciful Father C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His 11

12 authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. Kyrie +Liturgy of the Word+ P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Let us Pray Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.c Amen. First Reading: Revelation 14:6-7 P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God Epistle Reading: Romans 3:19-28 P This is the Word of the Lord C Thanks be to God Gospel: John 8:31-36 P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 8 th chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. (Gospel is Read) P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ. 12

13 Song: 656 A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (verses 1 & 4) Sermon Apostles Creed (Found inside back cover of the hymnal) Prayer of the Church P Lord, in your mercy, C hear our prayer. Offering Song of Thanks: Thy Word +Liturgy of the Sacrament+ P The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4:22 C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. Colossians 3:1 C We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. Psalm 136 C It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord our God, king of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and given Your only-begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. Grant us Your Spirit, gracious Father, that we may give heed to the testament of Your Son in true faith and, above all, firmly take to heart the words with which Christ gives to us His body and blood for our forgiveness. By Your grace, lead us to remember and give thanks for the boundless love which He manifested to us when, by pouring out His precious blood, He saved us from Your righteous wrath and from sin, death, and hell. Grant that we may receive the bread and wine, that is, His body and blood, as a gift, guarantee, and pledge of His salvation. Graciously receive our prayers; 13

14 deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. Words of Institution Proclamation of Christ P As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord s death until He comes. C Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Lord s Prayer P Lord, remember us in Your Kingdom and teach us to pray: 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. Pax Domini P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you. For the Communion Beliefs and Practices of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod please see the announcements at the back of the bulletin. Distribution Post-Communion Prayer P We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen 14

15 Benediction and Dismissal P Let us bless the Lord C Thanks be to God. P The almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the T Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve you. C Amen. P Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God! Closing Song: God of Brilliant Lights 15

16 Contact Information: 1712 Menasha Ave. Manitowoc, WI Phone: (920) Website: Facebook: Worship Times: Sunday at 9:00 A.M. & Monday at 6:00 P.M. Welcome We are glad that you have joined us today as we worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If you have any questions during worship, please feel free to ask an usher at any time. Small children are part of the Body of Christ. We always welcome them in worship. However, we understand that it may not be easy to remain still or quiet. If a break is needed, Busy Bags are hanging up as you enter the Sanctuary and an unmanned nursery is available in Room 103 on the right (west) side of the sanctuary. Staff: Rev. Zachary M. DeArmond, Senior Pastor pastordearmond@redeemermanty.com Cell (920) Rev. Scott Hirssig, Associate Pastor pastorhirssig@redeemermanty.com Cell (920) Patti Fellows, Preschool Director preschool@redeemermanty.com Carrie Paczkowski, Administrative Assistant office@redeemermanty.com Mary Eisenschink, Bookkeeper bookkeeper@redeemermanty.com 16

17 Serving our Lord in Worship: Preacher/Liturgist Rev. Zachary DeArmond Liturgist Rev. Scott Hirssig Organist Kris Neustadter Ushers Sunday: Michael Gregurich, Seth LeClair, Jim & Karen Beke Monday: Tim Zinkel, Van & Dorothy Neff, Shirley Taylor Altar Guild Betty Kuhn, Bonnie Kittell Monday Praise Band Kris Neustadter, Lorie Hirssig, Betty Kuhn, Anita Thrasher, Carol Nadeau, Myrna Krajnik, and Gary Neustadter CD Recording Carla Gregurich CD Delivery Louise Strharsky Prayers Leon Felde, Corrine Eichmann, Ed Vetting, Buzz Beckman Altar Flowers Presented to the Glory of God by Shirley Taylor in memory of her parents..t 17

18 This Week at Redeemer Sunday, October 28 th 8:00 am Senior Choir Practice 9:00 am Worship 10:15 am Oktoberfest 11:00 am Hmong Worship Monday, October 29 th 7:30 am Finance 1:00 pm Women s Bible Study 6:00 pm Worship Tuesday, October 30 th 7:00 am Men s Bible Study 9:15 am Women s Bible Study Wednesday, October 31 st 7:15 pm Bell Choir Practice Thursday, November 1 st Office closed at 12pm Friday, November 2 nd Office closed Saturday, November 3 rd 9:00 am Men s Bible Study Sunday, November 4 th 8:00 am Senior Choir Practice/Performance 9:00 am Worship 10:15 am Education Classes 11:00 am Hmong Worship Attendance Last Week: 155 Roof Donations To Date: $35,553 Offerings: $4,137 18

19 Statement on Holy Communion The Lord s Supper is joyfully received here every weekend and on other holy days. At the altar, our Lord Jesus Christ delivers His true body and blood into our mouths. His gift of body and blood, given in, with, and under the bread and wine, bestows tremendous benefits. His body and blood forgives our sins, strengthens our faith, binds us to the Lord, and unites us with each other. In this is life and salvation. All members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod have publicly confessed this sacred gift and its blessings, and so are encouraged to commune. Other guests wishing to join our confession and receive this Holy Sacrament are asked to meet with a pastor before communing for the first time. When you have examined yourself according to Christ s bidding (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), come to His Supper rejoicing, just as Jesus asks, knowing that our Lord meets you at His altar with joy. Those coming to the altar for a blessing rather than the Holy Supper are asked to cross their arms over their chest. Out of Town Pastor and Lorie Hirssig are visiting daughter Anna and son-inlaw Alex in Las Vegas. They expect to be back November 1 st. Men s Club Events Help will be needed for our election day Brat Fry on November 6 th. Sign-up sheet will be at the Welcome Desk. We also will have sign-up sheets for the upcoming Chili Lunch/Supper on November 13 th. There will be 3 sign-up sheets for the Chili Lunch/Supper: one for Monday, Nov. 12 th (preparation and setup), one for Tuesday, Nov. 13 th (servers and kitchen help) and one for donations of cakes and bars. Fellowship If you or a group of people would be interested in hosting Fellowship after Sunday morning worship there is a sign-up sheet near the Welcome Center. 19

20 Operation Christmas Child 2018 Remember to keep shopping in support for the annual Christmas shoebox ministry of Samaritan s Purse, where millions of shoebox gifts are provided to impoverished children worldwide. If you haven t already done so, please pick up an Operation Christmas Child brochure at the Welcome Center after service. We also have some pre-printed shoeboxes available if you would like to use those to hold your donated gifts. Final collection will be the week of Nov , with dedication on that last Sunday, Nov. 18. Remember, for this year NO toothpaste or candy (due to increased shipping restrictions); and the requested shipping donation is now $9 per box. However, please do include tooth brushes. Any questions please contact Debbie Hennig ( ). Operation Christmas Child Shoebox stories REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Christelle attended an Operation Christmas Child program and got a shoebox. In the box, she found socks that she decided to offer to her father. When Gullaume received the socks, he asked: "Where did you get these beautiful socks?" Christelle answered "Jesus told one of his children to send a gift box to me. And I decided to share this Jesus' gift with you, because, they taught us that Jesus' love is to be shared with relatives and neighbors." Because of this, Gullaume got baptized and Christelle became a Sunday school teacher. Ordination Announcement Bill Hilgendorf will be ordained into the ministry as a Specific Ministry Pastor on November 3, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity- Freistadt Lutheran Church, Mequon, WI. Members and friends of Redeemer are invited to come celebrate with the Hilgendorf family that afternoon. Bill will be installed to serve at Sterling Lutheran Church, Sterling, Alaska, sometime in November. 20

21 Escape Room Outing Challenge your puzzle solving ability on a FUN night out on November 9 th at 7pm at What the Lock? in Manitowoc. Please sign up at the Welcome Center by October 28 th. Cost is $30/person. We need 10 people minimum and 30 people maximum. Contact Madri Gregurich if you have any questions. Kwik Trip Cards Kwik Trip cards are again available for sale to benefit the preschool. Cards can be used just like a credit card at the pump or in the store. They are available in $10, $25, $50, or $100 amounts and can be purchased after church on select Sundays or at the office during regular hours. Preschool receives 5% of the value of every card sold as well as an extra 10% of any items purchased in the store. You receive the full value of the card. Also, remember to save the caps/bag tops from Kwik Trip milk and orange juice. Office Hours This Week Just a note the office will close at noon on Thursday and be closed on Friday. Youth Stock Youth stock will remain available for purchase as we continue to plan for the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis next summer. On the wall separating the Narthex and the Fellowship Hall you will find envelopes with numbers on them. Simply take an envelope(s) off the wall, fill out the information in the envelope(s), and put the corresponding dollar amount in the envelope. You can return the sealed envelope by putting it in the offering plate, returning it to the office, or giving it to Pastor DeArmond. 21

22 By next summer you will have a guaranteed return on investment! These are what the current projections look like: For those who invest $1.00-$50.00 you will receive a postcard, from Minneapolis, updating you on the Youth Gathering! For those invest $51.00 or more you will receive a postcard updating you on the Youth Gathering AND you will be invited to a special Shareholders Brunch sometime after our youth return from Minneapolis, where you will receive a full report about what took place in Minneapolis! Meet our youth and chaperones who will be attending: Michael Paltzer, 15, Lincoln High School I am looking forward to seeing thousands of teens from across the nation. Having fun and talking with others that share your beliefs is hard to come by in day to day life so this is a good opportunity to meet new people. Shalyn Behnke, 16, Two Rivers High School I am excited to attend the National Youth Gathering because it is a fun way to share my faith with other people my age. Kendal Behnke, 14, Two Rivers High School I am excited to attend the National Youth Gathering because my sister said it was really fun when she went. Naomii Etheridge, 13, Wilson Junior High School I can t wait to learn more about Christ and see all the other 30,000 other kids that are there to do the same! Makhi Etheridge, 15, Wilson Junior High School It is going to be a cool opportunity to share my faith with others my age. I m also looking forward to getting to know other youth from my church more! Evan Stoker, 14, Mishicot Middle School I am looking forward to the National Youth Gathering, because I get to go to a state I have never been to, and experience new things. 22

23 Connor Hafeman, 18, Lincoln High School I had so much fun the last time I went, it was the first time I had ever gone to such a large city with so many people. It was so cool to see so many people gathered in one place for one reason only. It's amazing to see that there are so many Christians gathered in one place that are my age. It's nice to see that our church is not alone, but there are so many others out there. Brooke Korlesky, 13, Wilson Junior High School I am looking forward to this trip because of all the cool tourist activities we get to do when we go. Also I can't wait to see what this trip is all about. My parents never did anything like this, so I can't wait to see it. I can't wait for the next one also because my cousin will get to go. Amanda Korlesky, 14, Wilson Junior High School I am looking forward to this trip because it is something new that I have never done before. Also I can't wait to see what it is like. Chaperones: Kari Stoker, Aurora Health Center, Internal Medicine I went to the National Youth Gathering in 1992, in New Orleans. My friends and I had a wonderful time. We saw new places as we traveled, and at the gathering. I can't wait to experience the week of worship and traveling with my son and the other youth of our congregation. Courtney DeArmond, Associate Principal, Wilson Junior High School I am looking forward to attending the National Youth Gathering to worship alongside our congregational youth and helping them to grow in their faith. Pastor DeArmond, Senior Pastor, Redeemer Lutheran Church I enjoy the eye opening experience of the National Youth Gathering for our youth, as they see that they are part of something that is so much bigger than just our congregation. Youth Gathering Facts and Info: Youth Gatherings proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ and God s saving grace to His people through Christ. In this setting, young people grow in their relationship with God and grow in their fellowship of Word and Sacrament in Christ s Church. 23

24 Explanation of the Liturgy The Garden of Eden was where the story of God and His people began (Genesis 1) and the new Eden will be where God is reunited with us forever (Revelation 22). In the meantime, God gathers us to Himself through worship. As it was in Eden, He talks to us through His Word and we speak back to Him through prayer and song. The Church, like the Garden of Eden, is also where He provides for us through the fruit of His holy body and blood from the Tree of Life, the cross. Everything in the Liturgy proclaims that God speaks to us with His Word of forgiveness, consolation, love and nourishes us with His life giving Sacrament. From her beginnings, the Church has always gathered around Christ and His gifts (Acts 2:42), so we, too, gather together for this historic liturgy that tells us that God has brought us back to Eden. Welcome home. Invocation Matthew 28:19-20 The Lord begins His Service to us by stamping His name upon us again as He did at our Baptism. It marks us as His community that is here to receive His service to us, not to give our own or to receive anyone else s. Confession and Absolution John 20:19-23 Knowing that God is now with us, we may be fearful on account of our many sins. However, He comes to us in blessing with the personal message that we are forgiven through the application of Christ s atoning sacrifice to us. Kyrie Mark 10:47 In the ancient world, when the king would come to a town his subjects would cry out to him, Lord, have mercy. When Jesus, the King of kings, traveled about, those with ailments of body and soul would cry to Him. As the King comes to us, we too cry out to Him, who has shown us mercy through Holy Absolution and will continue to do so in worship. Gloria/Hymn of Praise Luke 2:14; John 1:29 When Emmanuel ( God with us ) came to earth at His birth to save us, the heavens erupted into this song. Now that He is with us, incarnate in His Word and Sacrament, we share in that same song, praising Him for His salvation. Salutation and Prayer (Collect) of the Day 2 Timothy 4:22 The Salutation is shared here before the reading of the Word and will be heard again before the celebration of the Sacrament in the Preface. It is the pastor s alert that the Lord is with us in both ways (Word and Sacrament). In response, the congregation says, And also with you as an acknowledgment that the Lord through ordination has set His Spirit upon the pastor to serve them with these gifts. The Prayer/Collect of the Day is a collection of the prayers of the faithful centered around the theme of the readings. Old Testament Reading The Old Testament teaches us about God s work of salvation prior to Christ s birth. This lesson prepares us to hear the Gospel lesson, where the Old Testament prophecies and promises are fulfilled in Christ. 24

25 Gradual A selection of psalm verses traditionally sung between the readings. The word Gradual is from the Latin for "step," which refers to the step of the lectern from which the Gradual was traditionally sung or spoken. Epistle Reading The Epistles record the lives and teachings of the early apostles. They are both instructional and inspirational. This lesson often shows God s Word actively creating faith, providing forgiveness, and strengthening believers. Gospel Reading The Holy Gospel is where history repeats itself. As we hear about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, He makes that history come alive for us. He is present in His Word to proclaim His ever relevant message to us just as He did to His audience two thousand years ago. Sermon/Homily The sermon is the proclamation and application of the readings to the congregation. It draws out the messages of both the Law, which convicts us of our sins, and the Gospel, which delivers Christ s saving death and resurrection to us. Creed The creed is a spoken summary of the Christian faith, which was just proclaimed in the Readings and the Sermon. The three creeds; Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasian, unify us and all Christians together as we confess who God is and what He has done for us in Christ Jesus. Prayer of the Church I Timothy 2:1-4 Just as Christ is our intercessor before His Father in heaven, so too do we as the Body of Christ intercede boldly, approaching God on behalf of those in the Church and the world. Offering Having been graciously gifted by God, we are reminded that all things are from Him and are to be used for His purposes. The Offering gives us a chance to bless others as we have been richly blessed. Liturgy of the Sacrament-Preface II Timothy 4:22, Colossians 3:1, Psalm 136 This dialogue between pastor and people is first recorded in 220 A.D. It reminds us that the Lord is with us in the bread and wine of the Sacrament. We therefore join our hearts to Him and thank Him for His gifts to us. Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9 God met Isaiah in the temple and today He meets us in the new temple of His Body, the Church. For Isaiah, a seraphim flew to touch his lips and take away his sins, but for us Christ Himself touches our lips with His forgiving body and blood. In the first half of the Sanctus, we enter into the very heavenly chorus that Isaiah heard, singing the threefold holy. The second half echoes 25

26 the hosannas of Palm Sunday because our King rides into the new Jerusalem of His Church on the lowly means of bread and wine to give us a share in His death and resurrection, just as He entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey s colt to accomplish our salvation. The Lord s Prayer Matthew 6:9-13 In the Lord s Prayer we pray that His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven, that He would give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, and that we would be led not into temptation, but He would deliver us from evil. In a moment, God will answer that prayer as His gracious will is done on earth as it is in heaven. In the Sacrament, His kingdom comes among us, providing us with our daily bread, forgiving us our trespasses, leading us out of temptation, and delivering us from evil. Words of Institution Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, I Corinthians 11 Christ gathers us with His disciples in the upper room and re-presents the Supper to us of His true body and blood for our forgiveness. He does this through His Word, for His Word does what it promises. Pax Domini (The Peace of the Lord) John 20:19 When Christ s body and blood are presented, we hear the same words that He spoke to the disciples at His resurrection, Peace be with you. As we join the witnesses to the resurrection by gazing upon our risen Lord in the Sacrament, we have peace with God. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) John 1:29 Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, takes His seat on His altar-throne in the Sacrament. We sing to Him because He reigns among us, offering to us His sacrificed body and blood to take away our sin. Post-Communion Prayer We pray that having been gifted with God s love, grace, and mercy through the Sacrament that we, ourselves, would be gifts in the lives of those we meet and embody the Christ whom we have received. Benediction II Corinthians 13:14, Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord dismisses us back into the world the same way He ushered us into His own kingdom in the Divine Service through the Invocation: with His name. He marks us again as His own to go with us and bless us each day. 26