The Feast of All Saints November 6, :00 and 11:00 A.M.

Transcription

1 A Prayer Upon Entering Church Blessed are you, O Lord our God, for the triumph of Christ in the lives of your saints. Receive the prayers we offer this day and help us to run our course with faith, that we may swiftly come to your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen The Feast of All Saints November 6, :00 and 11:00 A.M. Welcome to the Lord s Day. We have no saintliness of our own: it all belongs to Christ, who graciously shares it with His Church through Word and Sacrament. In Him alone, believers are all saints. Today we give thanks for that communion of saints, a fellowship that endures even in death, for whoever believes in Me, even though he die, yet shall he live (John 11:25). Christ is the Life who calls us to live for life, as we see also in the subject of today s sermon, the Fifth and Sixth Commandments.

2 Sharing God s Blessings Today Sunday s Radio Broadcast is sponsored in loving memory of August H. Wendorf by his wife, Delores, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. August passed away 2 years ago on November 13. The flowers at the altar are sponsored in loving remembrance of Charles Brandenburg on his October 31st birthday from his family. The sponsor charts for 2016 for Broadcasts and Flowers are available for you to sign up. The charts are by the stairs by the northwest entry. Why Lutherans Remember the Saints The Lutheran reformers, in 1521, explained why we no longer pray to saints but still honor them: Our Confession approves honoring the saints in three ways. The first is thanksgiving. We should thank God because He has shown examples of mercy, because He wishes to save people, and because He has given teachers and other gifts to the Church. These gifts, since they are the greatest, should be amplified. The saints themselves, who have faithfully used these gifts, should be praised just as Christ praises faithful businessmen (Matthew 25:21, 23). The second service is the strengthening of our faith. When we see Peter s denial forgiven, we also are encouraged to believe all the more that grace truly superabounds over sin (Romans 5:20). The third honor is the imitation, first of faith, then of the other virtues. Everyone should imitate the saints according to his calling. The adversaries [that is, people who opposed the Lutherans] do not require these true honors. They argue only about praying to saints, which, even if it were not dangerous, still is not necessary. Besides, we also grant that the angels pray for us. For there is a passage in Zechariah 1:12, where an angel prays, O LORD of hosts, how long will You have no mercy on Jerusalem? We admit that, just as the saints (when alive) pray for the Church universal in general, so in heaven they pray for the Church in general. ~ Apology of the Augsburg Confession, XXI:4 Announcements Parish announcements may be found in the weekly newsletter, For You, provided by the ushers after worship. 2

3 PRELUDE Prelude in Eb Major (BWV 552) RINGING OF THE BELLS J. S. Bach Please stand and turn towards the cross as it is carried into the sanctuary. PROCESSIONAL HYMN For All the Saints green hymnal #174 stanzas 1 3: all stanza 4: high voices stanza 5: low voices stanzas 6 8: all THE APOSTOLIC GREETING P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. KYRIE P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord. P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. The hymn, For All the Saints, sets forth a beautiful summary of the Christian life: 1) in this present time, we engage in spiritual warfare, not with force, but with the confession of Christ s name; 2) in death, we rest in the light of Christ and the communion of His saints; and 3) Christ finally comes on the last Day, bodily raising the dead and bringing us into the heavenly Zion. 3

4 P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the holy Church, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Ye choirs of new Jerusalem, your sweetest notes employ, the paschal victory to hymn in strains of holy joy. For Judah's lion bursts its chains, crushing the serpent's head, and cries aloud through death's domains to wake the imprisoned dead.... P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. HYMN OF PRAISE P: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia. 4

5 ... Devouring depths of hell their prey at his command restore; his ransomed hosts pursue their way where Jesus goes before. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray... Almighty and everlasting God, you knit together your faithful people of all times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow your blessed saints in virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys you have prepared for those who love you; through Jesus Christ, Triumphant in his glory now to him all power is given; to him in one communion bow all saints in earth and heaven. ~ Fulbert of Chartres, A.D. 5

6 our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen Please be seated. CHORAL RESPONSE (9:00 a.m.) Behold a Host Arrayed in White Bradley Ellingboe The angels in heaven pray for us, as does Christ Himself (Rom 8:34). So do the saints on earth and perhaps also in heaven (Rev 6:9-10). ~ The Lutheran Confessions, Smalcald Articles FIRST LESSON Revelation 7:9-17 9After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come? 14I said to him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 6

7 PSALM 149 Choir/L: Antiphon: Choir/ Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song;* L: sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful. C: Let Israel rejoice in his maker;* let the children of Zion be joyful in their king. Choir/ Let them praise his name in the dance;* L: let them sing praise to him with tim brel and harp. C: For the LORD takes pleasure in his people* and adorns the poor with victory. C: Antiphon Choir/ Let the faithful re joice in triumph;* L: let them be joyful on their beds. C: Let the praises of God be in their throat* and a two-edged sword in their hand; Choir/ to wreak vengeance on the nations* L: and punishment on the peoples; C: to bind their kings in chains* and their nobles with links of iron; Choir/ to inflict on them the judg ment decreed;* L: this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah! C: Antiphon 7

8 All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son,* and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning,* is now, and will be forever. Amen C: Antiphon SECOND LESSON 1 John 3:1-3 1See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Please stand. VERSE (9:00 a.m.) Choir: Alleluia. Alleluia. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, Let us look to Jesus the founder and protector of our faith. Alleluia. Alleluia. VERSE (11:00 a.m.) Congregation: 8

9 GOSPEL P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 5th chapter. 1Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. P: The Gospel of the Lord. NICENE CREED P: Let us confess the faith with one heart: C: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For 9

10 us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen Please be seated. SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:00 a.m.) During the singing of the hymn, children of preschool age through grade 4 may leave for Sunday School classes downstairs in the church hall. Please reclaim your children at 10:25 a.m. after their music time in the balcony. HYMN OF THE DAY By All Your Saints in Warfare green hymnal #177 stanzas 1, 4, 3 SERMON The Fifth and Sixth Commandments P: What is the fifth commandment? C: You shall not murder. P: What does this mean? C: We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need. 10

11 P: What is the sixth commandment? C: You shall not commit adultery. P: What does this mean? C: We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other. REMEMBRANCE OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (refer to pages 18 and 19 in this bulletin) Please kneel. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs. P:... Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen Please be seated. OFFERING While the offerings are received, please pass in your row the Friendship Register, and add your name(s). If you are a guest or visitor, please include your address. VOLUNTARY Aria on For All the Saints David M. Cherwien Please stand. 11

12 OFFERTORY A note on today s celebration of the Lord s Supper: In celebration of the Feast of All Saints, and in remembrance of Zion s ancestors in the faith, the communion vessels used this Sunday include a chalice given to Zion by its Confirmation Class in 1920 as well as other communion ware used by Zion years ago. OFFERTORY PRAYER P: Let us pray... Merciful Father, C: we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen THE GREAT THANKSGIVING P: The Lord be with you. 12

13 P: Lift up your hearts. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: It is indeed right and salutary... we praise your name and join their unending hymn: WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of me. 13

14 In the same way also he took the cup after the supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink of it, in remembrance of me. We believe that the Word became flesh and that we receive his flesh in the Lord s Supper. How then can we fail to believe that he really dwells within us? When he became human, he actually clothed himself in our flesh, uniting it to himself for ever. In the sacrament of his body he actually gives us his own flesh, which he has united to his divinity.... THE 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 ACCLAMATION P: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, C: we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. AGNUS DEI ( Lamb of God ) 14

15 Please be seated. The congregation is ushered forward for Communion. If you cannot use the steps to the altar, you may either ask an usher to have Communion brought to you, or you may go to the altar in the side (west) chapel. Those not communing may cross their arms over their chest for a blessing. Holy Communion is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which He joyfully gives to His Church to eat and to drink. This gift bestows tremendous benefits. His body and blood forgives ours sins, strengthens our faith, binds us to the Lord, and unites us with each other. In this is life and salvation. The Lord therefore invites to His altar baptized Christians who trust that they will receive in Holy Communion all that He promises there: His body and blood, the forgiveness of sins, union with Christ and His Church, life, and salvation. Know that He gives it to you with great joy. COMMUNION HYMNS Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones green hymnal #175 For All Your Saints, O Lord green hymnal #176 Please stand after all have received the sacrament..... This is why we are all one, because the Father is in Christ, and Christ is in us. He is in us through his flesh and we are in him. With him we form a unity which is in God. ~ Hilary of Poitiers, A.D. POST-COMMUNION PRAYER P: We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us, through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen 15

16 A Note on the Postlude: This Fugue by J. S. Bach is known for its Trinitarian symbolism: it is written in E-flat, which includes three flats; it has three parts, each evoking the character of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and Bach wrote it in a way that painted the story of redemption, such as falling notes to recall mankinds fall into sin, notes written in the form of a cross, rising notes to signify the Ascension into heaven. BENEDICTION P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Please turn towards the cross as it is carried out of the sanctuary. RECESSIONAL HYMN O God, Our Help in Ages Past green hymnal #320 SILENT PRAYER POSTLUDE Fugue in Eb Major (BWV 552) + Soli Deo Gloria + To God alone be glory J. S. Bach 16

17 Serving at Worship Presiding and Preaching Pastor: Rev. Steven Gjerde Assisting Minister: Vicar Joe Pinzl Organist: Kantor Irene Beethe Choir: (9:00) Zion Kantorei Lector: (9:00) Samantha Pinzl (11:00) Carl Boettcher Radio Announcer: (9:00) Dick Ames Acolytes: (9:00) Anna Gjerde; Zack Madden; Grace Stimac (11:00) Nathaniel Contereras Elder: (9:00) Marlene Kroening (11:00) Dave Gisselman Ushers: (9:00) Adele Blair; Donald Budnik; Fred Fenhaus; Robb Halverson (11:00) Al Lippert; Wayne Reuter; Herbert Zahrt Communion Assistants: (9:00) Bill Metter; Joe Pinzl; Steve Zeinemann (11:00) Marge Gausewitz; Donna Nuernberg; Joe Pinzl Altar Guild: Kay Krall; Bonnie Waack Acknowledgements The liturgy is reprinted from the Lutheran Book of Worship, Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress license #SB Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Psalm 149:1: David Cherwien. Psalm refrain reproduced from Psalter for Worship, Cycle C 1997 Augusburg Fortress. Used by permission. A Prayer as You Go Almighty Lord our God, direct our steps into the way of peace, and strengthen our hearts to obey thy commandments; may the Dayspring visit us from on high, and give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, that they may adore thee for thy mercy, so that, thou being our Enlightener, all the darkness of our sins may be dispersed, through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Sarum Breviary 17

18 COMMEMORATION OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED Today our congregation pauses to give thanks for the memory of the blessed members of our parish family who were summoned by our Lord to Himself and buried from Zion Lutheran Church since All Saints Sunday, November 1, Our joy is in having shared with them the fellowship of Christ on earth, and our comfort is in the sure hope of the resurrection through our Lord Jesus Christ. May we too be faithful unto death and with all those now around the throne of Christ, receive the crown of everlasting life. NAME DATE OF BIRTH DATE OF DEATH Dale R. Lee December 28, 1929 November 12, 2015 Elveria M. Lehman July 15, 1934 November 25, 2015 Charles F. Schuett July 24, 1928 November 28, 2015 Marian H. Lippert November 3, 1939 November 29, 2015 Lois C. Freiberg April 29, 1924 December 8, 2015 Walter W. Reidl August 25, 1923 January 27, 2016 Arlene J. Buzinski January 1, 1931 February 6, 2016 *Kenneth Radtke August 24, 1949 February 12, 2016 Lynn E. Gelhar October 27, 1957 February 25, 2016 *Allen J. Gresch September 20, 1942 March 5, 2016 Timothy A. Luechau August 29, 1960 March 15, 2016 Delores Witter Janke October 31, 1931 April 4, 2016 Sue Rahn September 13, 1952 April 8, 2016 Richard A. Baker October 30, 1924 May 3, 2016 Magdalene Schroeder August 23, 1921 May 21, 2016 Luella Passehl July 22, 1924 July 28, 2016 Rhoda Anne Heian August 22, 1933 August 7, 2016 Sue M. Steinke February 6, 1943 August 10, 2016 John (Jack) R. Schuetz August 5, 1929 August 21, 2016 Earl R. Plautz September 16, 1924 September 4, 2016 Pearl L. Tranetzki December 23, 1919 September 16, 2016 Bernice A. Baumann March 22, 1927 October 4, 2016 *(non-member) 18

19 A hymn of joy Give rest, O Christ, to me, Your servant, with all Your saints: where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighing, but life everlasting. You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind: and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return: for so You did ordain it, when You created me, saying, dust you are, and unto dust shall you return. All we go down to the dust; and weeping over the grave, we make our song: alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ~ ancient liturgy, 1200s A.D. A letter from one grieving man to another: Excellent and beloved Osiander: We have heard that you have again been visited by a cross, and indeed a twofold cross, through the death of your wife and of your dearly loved daughter. I know from the death of my own dearest child how great must be your grief. It may appear strange, but I am still mourning the death of my dear Magdalene, and I am not able to forget her. Yet I know surely that she is in heaven, that she has eternal life there, and that God has thereby given me a true token of his love in having, even while I live, taken my flesh and blood to his fatherly heart. This love of which I speak is natural love, which, although in itself good and human, must be crucified with us so that the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God may be done. For God s Son, through whom and by whom all things were made, gave his very life although this was neither deserved nor required of him. I write this as a testimony, and I am sure that you share with me the belief that we are partakers together in your sufferings, even as God has made you a true and faithful participant in our faith and doctrine. Thus you must yield up your dear Isaac as a burnt offering and for a sweet-smelling savor to God by Isaac, I do not mean your daughter or your wife, for these live and are blessed in the Lord, but I mean that natural and strong affection which asserts itself too powerfully in us. While for the Lord this burnt offering is necessary, for us it is a consolation. But why should I try to explain these things to you when you understand them far better than I? Farewell, and be assured that we love you. Yours, Martin Luther June 3,

20 Zion Lutheran Church Sixth and Grant Streets, Wausau, Wisconsin Those who trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Psalm 125:1) Church Telephone: Senior Pastor Steven K. Gjerde Visitation Pastor Theodore B. Gulhaugen Pastoral Assistant Joseph C. Pinzl Kantor Irene Beethe Parish Nurse Lenore Grosinske Office Manager Pam Gabriel Secretary Anna Mae Zeinemann Head Custodian Michael Renken Substitute Custodian Tom Gabriel To contact us by To visit our webpage: Host of the Wausau Lutheran Hour Sundays, 9:00 am, WSAU Radio 550AM (or click Listen Live at Member Congregation of Lutheran CORE 20