Concordia Lutheran Church

Transcription

1 Sunday, January 7, 2018 Concordia Lutheran Church Highway C Frohna, MO concordiafrohna@att.net Website: concordiafrohna.org Rev. Rod A. Benkendorf, Pastor revbenkendorf@gmail.com Phone Welcome to Concordia A Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Congregation If you are our guest, please fill out a visitor card (in the pew rack behind the Communion cards) and either place it in the offering plate or hand it to an usher after the service. If you worship regularly with us and have a new address, a prayer request or a message for the pastor or the church office, you are welcome to use the visitor card to share that with us. Thank you! The back pews are reserved for families with small children. A nursery is available in our multi-purpose room on the side of the Narthex. Large-print bulletins are available from the usher.

2 The Baptism of our Lord Sunday, January 7, 2018 MATINS Opening Hymn: Arise and Shine in Splendor LSB 396 Opening Versicles LSB 219 Antiphon LSB 220 Venite LSB 220 Antiphon LSB 221 Old Testament Reading Isaiah 60:1 6 1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. 3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the rightness of your rising. 4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. 5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. 6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord. P: O Lord, have mercy on us. C: Thanks be to God. Epistle Ephesians 3: For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. P: O Lord, have mercy on us. C: Thanks be to God. Hymn: Hail, O Source of Every Blessing LSB 409 2

3 Holy Gospel Matthew 2: Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel. 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him. 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. P: O Lord, have mercy on us. C: Thanks be to God. Responsory (Common) LSB 221 Special Music: Christmas Hallelujah Children s Message Sermon Hymn: The Star Proclaims the King Is Here LSB 399 Sermon: Search for Him Matthew 2 Offering Te Deum LSB 223 Installation of Officers Prayers of the Church (Congregational response: Hear our prayer) Benedicamus LSB 228 Benediction LSB 228 Closing Hymn: Brightest and Best of the Stars LSB 400 Announcements Postlude 3

4 Participants in this Morning s Service Greeters: Rick and Patty Lorenz Organist: Lynn Mueller Acolyte: Rylee Kassel Elder: Doug Hemman Ushers: Jason Steffens, Dwayne Roth, Zachary Word, Dustin Roth Audio/Visual Team: Troy Petzoldt, Diane Petzoldt This Week s Schedule Today, Jan. 7 TBA Refreshments and Fellowship Youth Baked Goods Table Take Down Christmas Decor EPC Wildcats Basketball Notre Dame Tournament Mon., Jan. 8 5:45 p.m. EPC Lady Wildcats Basketball vs. St. Paul, Tues., Jan. 9 Wed., Jan. 10 Thurs., Jan. 11 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (3 rd Game) 7 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 9 a.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 5:45 p.m. Jackson (C and B Teams) (Away) Circuit Pastors Conference at Immanuel, New Wells EPC Wildcats Basketball vs. SV, Perryville (B Team Only) (Away) Concordia LWML Executive Board (Multi-Purpose Room) Dartball-Trinity, Altenburg at Frohna Bible Study Bible Study Adult Choir EPC Wildcats Basketball vs. St. Paul, Jackson (Away) UCLS Board of Education at UCLS 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 12 5:45 p.m. EPC Lady Wildcats Basketball vs. Immanuel, P ville (C, B, A) (Only ½ B Game) (Away) Sat., Jan. 13 5:30 p.m. Worship, with Holy Communion, at Salem, Farrar Sat. & Sun., Jan. 13 & 14 Sun., Jan. 14 TBA 8 a.m. 9 a.m. EPC Wildcats Basketball Notre Dame Tournament Bible Class Worship, with Holy Communion Youth Baked Goods Table Scrip Sales 4

5 Hymn of the Week LSB 533 Jesus Has Come and Brings Pleasure Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal, Alpha, Omega, Beginning and End; Godhead, humanity, union supernal, O great Redeemer, You come as our friend! Heaven and earth, now proclaim this great wonder: Jesus has come and brings pleasure eternal! Bible Stories 01/08 -- M: Matthew 2: /09 -- Tu: Matthew 2: /10 -- W: Luke 2: /11 -- Th: Matthew 3: /12 -- F: Matthew 3:13-17 Weekly Devotions (Epiphany 2) Bible Verse 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Catechism The Lord s Prayer -- The First Petition and Meaning Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean? God s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God s name kept holy? God s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father! Announcements Welcome: We extend a warm welcome to all who have come to worship with us today. Search for Him! That s the title of today s sermon. Interestingly enough, the average American spends ~60 hours a year looking for lost items. That s about 10 minutes per day. How much time do you spend searching for Jesus every day? He isn t even lost. He s right there in the Bible. Hear the Word of the Lord. A Word of God to chew on this week: 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Think about it. Talk about it. Memorize it. Take this wonderful food from God, and let it strengthen you. New Members?: Are you interested in becoming a member, or know of somebody who is interested in becoming a member at Concordia? Please contact Pastor Benkendorf at or revbenkendorf@gmail.com. He will gladly and willingly talk to any, and all, who are interested in becoming members of Concordia, Frohna. Church Attendance: Worship (New Year s Eve-Morning) 141; Adult Bible Class 26; Worship (New Year s Eve-Evening) one year ago 101; New Year s Day 66, one year ago 112 (Sunday) Please remember those who cannot worship with us regularly in your thoughts, prayers, and by your visits Dorene Grebing, Rose Hemmann, Flora Kassel, and Tillie Luckey at Independence Court in Perryville and Mabel Steffens at Holiday Residential Care in Perryville. Prayer Chain: Prayer is a powerful gift. A prayer chain, made up of members of our congregation, is always available. If you have a prayer need or concern for anyone, and would like immediate prayers to be offered, call a member of the Prayer Chain. Call Helen Grebing ( ) or Pat Petzoldt ( ) to get it started. If neither of those two answer, a complete list is posted on the bulletin board in the church narthex. Any LWML member will know how to activate the chain. 5

6 We welcome and install the following persons into their new offices during worship today: Elder-Dale Burroughs, Secretary-Amy Birk, Trustee-Tony Scholl, and UCLS Board of Education-Angela Head. Please keep them in your prayers as they use their time and talents in service to God s people here at Concordia. The flowers at the altar are given by the family of Rose Dreyer in celebration of Rose s 90 th birthday on January 9. If you ordered a copy of Luther s Small Catechism 2017 Edition, it is on the north buffet with your name on it. Please pick it up today after worship and forward $14.49 to Concordia Lutheran Church. A new Greeter s Schedule (January-June 2018) is still available today on the south buffet. Portals of Prayer (January-March) are still available today on the north buffet. The Voice of Missouri is available on-line at mo.lcms.org. Click on Publications/ E-News and then The Voice of Missouri to locate recent weekly and monthly issues. (A printed copy of the December issue is available on the south buffet in Concordia s narthex for those who do not have internet access.) Christmas decorations will be taken down today after worship. Please stay and lend a helping hand. Please submit all reports for the Annual Report as soon as possible. Financial Peace University (FPU) is coming! A half-hour informational, no obligation, session will be held this evening, January 7, at 6 p.m. at United in Christ Lutheran School, Frohna, for those who would like more information as to how this might benefit them. (Classes will begin soon after.) Financial Peace University gives personal finance information for any stage in life. Tired of debt? This is for you. Wish you could save? This is for you. God s principles of finance in FPU are timeless. Tom and Gail Clampitt s new home phone number: LWML Mites: Our LWML collects mites to support mission projects throughout the world. Mites are money in any denomination that is used to fund worthy mission projects that are selected by the National and Missouri District LWML. Our local LWML invites everyone to help support these projects. If you wish to help us, please put your mites in the specially-marked box in the LWML closet in the multi-purpose room. December Contributions: 3 rd $4,590.50, 6 th (Advent) $696.00, 10 th $5,216.25, 13 th (Advent) $1,722.00, 17 th $8,171.70, 20 th (Advent) $2,798.00, 24 th (Sunday) $3,744.50, 24 th (Christmas Eve) $3,887.00, 25 th (Christmas Day) $5,309.00, 31 st (Sunday) $5,730.00; Capital Improvement Fund $250.00; Saxony Lutheran High School Scholastic Fund $130.00; and Tom & Amy Huber Family Tornado $ LYF Notes Are you having an auction, or do you have a family member or friend having an auction? Concordia s youth are looking to do concession stands for auctions in the area. Please contact Gina Wunderlich at if you would like the youth to do a concession stand. United in Christ Lutheran School (UCLS) Notes Minutes from the UCLS Board of Education Meeting on December 19 are available today on the south buffet. 6

7 Saxony Lutheran High School Notes A Chili Supper, sponsored by the Saxony Booster Club/FFA, will be held on Friday, January 19, with serving from 4-6:30 p.m. at Saxony Lutheran High School. The cost of the meal will be $6 for adults and $3 for children The Saxony Crusaders vs. Notre Dame boys basketball homecoming game will begin at 5 p.m. For news from Saxony Lutheran High School, and information on upcoming events, please see the Saxony Dashboard. Copies of the first page are available on the south buffet. A complete copy of January s issue of the Saxony Dashboard can be viewed by visiting Saxony s website, saxonylutheranhigh.org, and selecting Newsletter located under the News & Events link at the top of the page. A complete copy is also posted on the bulletin board in the church narthex. Neighboring Church & Community Notes The Annual After Christmas Christmas Concert, presented by the Perry County Lutheran Chorale, with full orchestra, will be held today, January 7, at 4 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, New Wells. The chorale and orchestra will present familiar favorites like O Holy Night, The First Noel, and the Hallelujah Chorus along with some new favorites Achieved, O Nata Lux, and Lullaby. Admission is free. A free-will offering will be taken in support of the chorale. Refreshments will be served following the concert. The January calendar listing the menu and activities at the Perry County and EPC Senior Centers is posted on the bulletin board in the narthex. For more information about activities, special events, or to view the monthly calendar, please visit the website at or the Facebook page Help make the Riverside Regional Library in Altenburg a better place! Attend the Friends of the Library Information Meeting this Thursday, January 11, at 7 p.m. at the library. The Friends of the Library support library programs through fundraising and other volunteer projects. The 13 th Annual Christmas Tree Exhibit, with more than 50 themed trees, German and American Christmas Collections, including Nativity scenes, and a Santa Extravaganza exhibit, is open every day through January 15 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Lutheran Heritage Center & Museum in Altenburg. Admission is free. The Messiah Choir performances of choruses and solos from The Messiah will be next Sunday, January 14, at First Christian Church in Sikeston, and Sunday, January 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cape Girardeau, at 3 p.m. Both concerts will begin with pre-concert music at 2:45 p.m. Each church will feature special music performances. The Trinity Brass will accompany hymns. The Messiah Choir will be accompanied by piano, strings, and timpani. Messiah soloists will be Trudy Lee, Patti McPheeters, Don Presson, Eric Scott, Elizabeth Shelton, and Wanda Steffens. At both concerts, Katie Benkendorf will share briefly about her experience at Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival, and perform a musical selection. The director of the Messiah Choir is Eric Scott. A free-will offering will be taken for a scholarship fund to promote musicianship among youth. Refreshments will be served following both concerts. Creation Matters: Human Design: The Making of a Baby will be Sunday, January 21, at 6 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church Hall, Longtown. Evolution holds that all life descended from a common ancestor through small modifications over long 7

8 periods of time. Actual living creatures, however, reveal something quite different. Institute for Creation Research (ICR) National Representative Dr. Randy Guliuzza explores the complexities of human reproduction to demonstrate that life couldn t possibly have evolved. He shows that biological systems are fully integrated they have key parts that fit together for an intended purpose and break down when those parts are altered or removed. Approaching the subject in a tasteful manner, Dr. Guliuzza takes the audience through the detailed process of reproductive physiology and microscopic anatomy required for the making of a human baby. The inescapable conclusions of design give God all the glory, showing that we truly are fearfully and wondrously made. (Psalm 139:14) The video will be viewed, and a brief discussion will follow. KFUO Notes This week on KFUO.org, a brand new website will be unveiled! The new morning lineup includes programs like Oratio, Sharper Iron, and Law & Gospel. Hear a new morning program at 9 a.m. and daily chapel services at 10 a.m. kfuo@kfuo.org or call Have a question or comment about KFUO? Find on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. (All programs are archived at KFUO.org for 24/7 on-demand listening.) 8