Part 2: The Service of the Word

Transcription

1 All this summer, we've been studying the liturgy in Sunday morning Bible Study, and I've had quite a few requests to share some of the material we've covered in the newsletter. So for the next few months, we'll be covering some of the parts of the liturgy. For consistency sake, we'll use Divine Service setting three as our guide. Part 2: The Service of the Word The Service of the Word begins with the Introit, which is just the Latin term for entrance. At one time, confession and absolution was separate from the Sunday morning service, so the Introit began the service. There was both a practical and theological reason for the Introit. First, the church developed the tradition of reciting one of the psalms that set the theme for the day. If you look closely at the Introit, it still ties together with the Collect (that short prayer) and the readings for the day. Secondly, the Introit became entrance music during which the pastor and his assistants processed into the church. Next is the Kyrie, or its full name, the Kyrie Eleison, which means, Lord, have mercy. These are the words of blind Bartimaus as he cried out to Jesus. (Mark 10:47) Blind Bartimaus is not alone. Many who were blind, crippled, and diseased cried out to Jesus, Lord, have mercy. And when we repeat these words, we too are acknowledging that we are the spiritually blind, lame, and diseased. We sit on the side of the road crying out to Jesus for our sight. And we know that we will receive it. The Kyrie leads into the Gloria in Excelsis, which is a fitting response. This liturgical song, or canticle, is a fusion of the song which the angels sang to the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth and what John the Baptist blurted out when he first saw Jesus, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! In the Kyrie, we cried out to our Lord for mercy, and He responded by sending His Son into our flesh. We echo the angels who sing, Glory to God on high, and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men.

2 Peace and goodwill are not trite holiday greetings, but then angels announce that this little child brings peace between God and wayward mankind. This Jesus also brings God's goodwill to us, which means that God's merciful favor. And God will bring this peace and goodwill towards men by making this child in the manger a sacrificial lamb, whose death will take away the sins of the whole world, and reconcile us to God. If this isn't mercy, I don't know what is. In the Salutation, the pastor says, the Lord be with you, and the congregation responds, and with your Spirit. In fact, if you keep count, you'll find that we do the Salutation three times in the communion service. But why does our greeting sound so funny? Why doesn't the pastor just say hey, how's everybody doing? and the congregation respond, Great, how are you? But the Salutation is much more than a simple greeting. It is a reminder of the special relationship between the pastor, the congregation, and the Lord. When you normally greet someone, it's a way of acknowledging that you're there with that person. Hello is kind of like saying, here I am, with you. But in the Salutation, we greet each other by acknowledging the Lord's presence in our midst. The pastor doesn't say, I am with you. Instead, the pastor says the Lord be with you. So the Salutation isn't just a friendly greeting, it's a reminder that we are God's people, and that we are in His presence. Although we've been quite active in the service thus far, the readings are a time to be passive, simply listening as our Lord speaks to us in His words. The church inherited the practice of a fixed system of readings from the Jewish synagogue, and over the years, the church has expanded and refined that system. We use a three-year cycle of readings we call the lectionary, which consists of an Old Testament reading (most of the year), an Epistle (one of the NT letters), and a reading from one of the four Gospels. So why don't we just read the Bible straight through from cover to cover? The lectionary readings reflect the themes of the season. The readings in Advent prepare us for the birth of Jesus. The readings in Lent call us to repentance and follow Jesus on his journey to the cross. The readings during Easter recount the experience of the apostles and the other believers in light of the risen Christ. So every year, we hear the story of Jesus again. And we hear how we have become His church. So it is not only His story but also our story as well. The Pastor's feet never look better than when he is preaching. Although in most cases, you can't actually see his feet, they are nevertheless beautiful. They are beautiful because the pastor is delivering the good news to the Lord's people. After all, the Word of God is meant to be heard, and that is why pastors are sent to preach. 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15) But preaching is a bold statement. It isn't merely some guy with a seminary education telling you about ancient empires, dead kings, and someone who got crucified. The Pastor is speaking God's very own words a bold claim indeed! At the end of the sermon, he could add, thus says the Lord. Now who has the gall to claim that he is speaking for the Lord? Perhaps think of it another way. Who has the gall to stand in the pulpit and preach his own ideas?

3 When all is said and done, the pastor is charged with preaching the Lord's Word, nothing more and nothing less. If he wants to offer his two cents worth, he can do it outside of the pulpit. The pulpit is reserved for the beautiful feet that preach the Gospel. The offertory always seemed like a strange companion to the offering. It comes from Psalm 51, create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. The offertory sounds like it fits in better with our confession than with the gifts we bring to the Lord. But when you read the rest of Psalm 51, it makes sense. David says that God isn't interested in our offerings, but The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Ps. 51:17) The only gifts that God receives are the ones from a repentant sinner. [T]hen will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar. (Psalm 51:19) So we ask God to create in us a clean heart, and then and only then can we bring our gifts to the Lord, and He assures us that they will be received. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42) This is the earliest description of what the Church did on a regular basis. It should be familiar it's what we still do on Sunday mornings. When I was younger, my Dad always used to tell me that when the pastor was praying, I was praying too, along with the whole Church. But I objected, but Dad, that's not what I would have prayed for! But that's exactly what's so great about praying together as the Church. The prayers of the Church are always much bigger than our own prayers. Suppose we pray a prayer in Church about the wildfires out west. Personally, I don't know anybody who is affected by them, but maybe you might. The prayers of the Church draw us out of our own little corners of the world and into the larger concern of the Church. So in our prayers this morning, pay special attention to anything that you wouldn't have prayed for. Then look around to see which one of your brothers and sisters really does need that prayer. Pastor Johnson Worship this Month Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost Philippians 3:4-14 October 5, 2014 Religious Credentials Credentials prove that we're important and that we know what we're talking about. Or that's the assumption, anyway. Paul's religious resume was brimming with proud credentials: a life-long Jew, a purebred from the tribe of Benjamin, an upstanding Pharisee, and an ardent defender of Judaism from a new upstart sect called Christianity. If anyone had something to brag about, it was Paul. But in the end, none of these credentials matter. The only thing that matters, as Paul says, is knowing Jesus and being known by him the righteousness that comes by faith.

4 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 25:6-9 and Matthew 22:1-14 October 12, 2014 The Feast of Salvation The scriptures frequently describe the reign of God (God's salvation) as a great feast and here in the Old Testament and the Gospel readings, we have two good examples, although describing two different dimensions of it. Matthew 22 sounds a strong note of judgment, comparing the reign of God to a wedding banquet for the king's son. But those who were invited first (and more than once!) mocked the king's invitation and thus received the punishment for their insolence. So instead, many others were invited. Isaiah 25, however, is pure gospel, describing God's reign as a feast that would put even a royal banquet to shame. But not only will this feast serve the choicest meats and the most expensive, aged wines, but the centerpiece of this feast will be the most unlikely course imaginable: death. And at this feast, the host, the Lord himself, will swallow death whole, and it will never be able to touch the guests at the feast again. Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 22:15-22 October 19, 2014 Render to Caesar Here we find the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus once again. Paying taxes to the Roman oppressors was certainly not popular among the crowds. Yet the Jews did not enjoy the freedom of speech as we do today. If you criticized the Emperor in public, you could get arrested. So the Pharisees ask Jesus, Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? knowing that if Jesus says yes, the crowds will turn against him, but if he says no, he could get arrested by the Roman authorities. But Jesus saw right through their trap and revealed that the Pharisees that they were confused about this issue of authority. Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. As citizens of this age, there are some things that we owe to those who rule over us, but the one to whom we owe all things is God. Reformation Day Romans 3:19-28 October 26, 2014 Righteousness by Faith The center of Reformation Day is not a celebration of Martin Luther as some kind of countercultural hero but a celebration of the Gospel. The reformers did not lay their lives on the line for the sake of a movement or an idea, but for truth that God has brought us sinners back to himself and made us good and holy in His eyes through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the Righteousness of God that Romans 3 is talking about. We are right with God now, not because we got our act together (works of the law), but because Christ made us right with the Father. And we believe this is true (the righteousness by faith). And this, our new status before God, changes everything. We are no longer hell-bound sinners but heaven-bound saints. And although we still struggle in this age, we cling to this righteousness that we could never earn, but has been given to us free of charge. This is what Reformation Day is all about.

5 Please mark your calendars for Monday, October 6 th at 1:00 for the Compassion Circle monthly meeting. All are welcome! Also, look for quilting dates to be set in the next weeks! You don t need to be a master quilter; help is always needed with cutting squares, pinning, setting squares, ironing and sewing. Everyone is welcome! Many hands make light work. MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The Sunday School Christmas program will be December 14. Even if you do not have Sunday School aged children, please plan to attend as we are expanding the program this year to include more congregational singing. This will allow you to sing more of your favorite carols than just the few on Christmas morning. Sunday School parents and kids- practices will be from 9-11 AM on the 6th and 13th of December. If you have questions, please ask your teacher or Maddie Marshall Paintball Anyone? The Youth Group invites anyone interested to join them October 12th beginning at 1:30pm. Sign up is short and ends next week on Wed. Oct 8th. Contact Julie Anderson to sign up, or for more information julesanders@live.com. This summer s 2015 Higher Things Conferences will rejoice in the gift of the Te Deum, a hymn of praise that gives us a foretaste of what s happening in worship in heaven and on earth. Registration for the 2015 Higher Things Conference is now open. We don t want to miss the boat this year! There are 2 location choices of interest for our group: Calvin College Grand Rapids, MI July Or Concordia University Seward, NE July 28-31

6 Dear Glory of Christ Member, Mark Swenson (Head Elder) filled in for me at our September 9 th Council meeting. We didn't have a quorum at the meeting; subsequently some items were covered via , with most items moved to the October meeting agenda. The two items that the council members in attendance thought should move forward via were: The council 1) accepted Janet s gift of Pastor Preus' library books; and, 2) agreed to allow the use of the church for a wedding next May 29th. This wedding has since been set for another location however, so our church is no longer needed as their ceremony space. Jesse Huber, our Treasure, reported our general fund offerings have turned the corner as expected and we are about $9, ahead of our budget for the year and should meet our budget and mission goals. Council person Dan Gruenhagen reported the steeple flashing repair work will cost around $3, The price includes the rental of a lift that is needed to reach over the skylights. This will be completed before winter. Building and Grounds, (Dan Gruenhagen / Travis Dorweiler) had the annual furnace inspection done. It revealed a burned out heat exchanger. Repair cost would be $5, or replacement cost $6, with everything new. A decision was made to install a new furnace. The Council will be recruiting candidates for President and the Elders will be recruiting candidates for council members. Please prayerfully consider letting your name be added to the ballot if asked. The Council will begin planning the budget for 2015 to be presented at our annual meeting in early December (date and time to be published). I spoke with Dave Koosman, our Large Gift Chairman. He told me The summer months have been spent gathering more details on domestic and international mission projects. It is our intent to have a conregational informational meeting in October/ early November to discuss the details and recommendations, which will be shared with the Elders and Council prior to this meeting, regarding the use of this gift in areas of missions, our youth and our facility. Just a reminder! Dan Gruenhagen (Building and Grounds Chairman) has scheduled our Fall Clean-up Day for October 4 th. We will start at 9:00AM and work until noon. Dan hopes to accomplish inside church cleaning (kitchen included), yard and garden work and window washing. Please bring equipment and tools if you can. My thanks to Christine Zitzlsperger for the many hours she spent on creating our new picture phone directory. Great job! Yours in Christ, Bob Strom, Council President

7

8

9 General News & Updates Next Men s Reading Group is scheduled for Saturday, October 4 th 6:30 am at the Maple Grove Perkins. If you haven t attended a meeting before, please let Pastor Johnson know if are interested. Thank You! Our Annual Fall Clean-up day has been scheduled for Saturday, October 4 th. We will start at 9:00AM and work until 1:00 PM. The hopes are to accomplish inside church cleaning (kitchen included), yard and garden work and window washing. Please bring equipment and tools if you can. Many hands make light work! New Member Sunday! Please join us this coming Sunday, October 5 th as we welcome 7 new members to our church! They will be introduced during the 9:00 Divine Service and cake will be served during coffee hour/bible Study to celebrate. Interested in volunteering for Altar Guild? An Altar Guild meeting is scheduled for Tuesday October 7 th at 6:00 PM at church. All current Altar Guild volunteers are asked to attend, but we are also looking for additional volunteers. If you are interested in Altar Guild, please come and join the meeting. Thank You! The Character of Christian Worship It May Not Be What You Think. is the topic for the 27 th Annual Lutheran Free Conference on Saturday, October 25, 2014, at Redeemer Lutheran Church, rd St. N., St. Cloud, from 9:30 to 3:45. Addressing this topic will be Rev. Dr. Holger Sonntag of Hiram, OH, and Rev. Paul Strawn, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Spring Lake Park, MN. Registration is $25, which includes coffee, rolls, and lunch ($10 for high school and college students). Though pre-registration is not required, a non-monetary pre-registration is required, if you plan to eat. So, If you plan to eat call (320) or office@redeemerstcloud.og by Oct. 16 th. A poster with more information is located on the table in the Narthex. SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, November 9 th after Bible Study, Carl Hartness will present on Scientific Evidence for a Young Earth. More information will be forthcoming. There are still a few dates that need to be filled for Acolyting. Signup sheet is on the Youth Board. Also, High School Boys - the signup sheet to carry the Processional Cross is there as well. Thank You!

10 Chili Cook-off SAVE THE DATE! Our annual Chili Cook-off is scheduled for Sunday October 26 th at 5:00 PM. Please place this fun event on your calendar and sign up on the sheets in the Narthex. CHILI COOK-OFF Sunday October 26th 5:00 PM Chili will be judged for 1) Taste 2) Hottest Chili 3) Presentation. Cornbread and Pie will be judged for 1) Taste 2) Presentation. If you have any questions please call Brenda Richards ( ) Young Adult Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 11th AT CHURCH. Grilling will start around 5:00 with brats, buns, condiments, kraut, and cabbage provided. Please bring food or drink to share. Sign up in the Narthex or call/text Maddie at

11 Serving this Month Serving Sunday October 5, 2014 Coffee: Acolyte: Elders: Ushers: Altar Guild: Offering Counters: Bread Baker: Bread Deliverer: Curt & Sharla Woolfolk Bri Dorweiler Dennis Neumann & Peter Krenzke Bob Strom & Jerry Malo Cheryl McCreary & Brenda Richards Lori Beck & Carl Hartness Sandi Edenborg Carl Hartness Serving Sunday October 12, 2014 Coffee: Acolyte: Elders: Ushers: Altar Guild: Offering Counters: Bread Baker: Bread Deliverer: Gary & Mary Peterson Claudia Wikman Dennis Neumann & Peter Krenzke Mark Swenson & Jonathan Schultz Chad & Denae Kuenzel Craig Smith & Charlotte Smith Susan Johnson Carl Hartness Serving Sunday October 19, 2014 Coffee: Acolyte: Elders: Ushers: Altar Guild: Offering Counters: Bread Baker: Bread Deliverer: Marilyn & Chuck Scharlau Chris Corey Dennis Neumann & Peter Krenzke Roger Hargreaves & Tim Lavanger Janel Koosman & Karen Swenson Janelle Franzmeier & Kent Rudeen Janis Kimmel Janis Kimmel Serving Sunday October 26, 2014 Coffee: Acolyte: Elders: Ushers: Altar Guild: Offering Counters: Bread Baker: Bread Deliverer: Ann Milbrath & Linda Corey Bryce Wikman Dennis Neumann & Peter Krenzke Jerry Malo & Brian Malo Pauline Hemingway & Marilyn Scharlau Chad & Denae Kuenzel Julie Anderson Julie Anderson

12 Birthdays & Anniversaries October 1 st Ashley Larson Birthday Ocie Petersen Birthday October 2 nd Sue Torkelson Birthday October 5 th Dan Gruenhagen Birthday John Fehrmann Birthday Olivia Schaumberg Birthday October 7 th Kim & Jan Diemand Anniversary October 8th Mike & Carol Swenson Anniversary October 10 th Wes & Nancy Kettner Anniversary October 11 th Ben & Jennifer Schaumberg Anniversary Dan & Barbie Gruenhagen Anniversary October 13 th Garry & Cheryl McCreary Anniversary John Edson Birthday October 18 th Maya Breininger Birthday October 19 th Levi DeBlois Birthday Lisa Brackmann Birthday October 20 th Leonard Albers Birthday October 21st Will Brolsma Birthday Cheryl McCreary Birthday October 24 th Elsie Gruenhagen Birthday Jesse Huber Birthday October 25th Craig Smith Birthday October 28 th Rachel Brolsma Birthday October 30 th Carol Swenson Birthday October 31 st Mike Connealy Birthday

13 Calendar