First Lutheran Community Traditional Worship July 2nd, 2017

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First Lutheran Community Traditional Worship July 2nd, 2017 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of

1 First Lutheran Community Traditional Worship July 2nd, 2017 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 As we once again celebrate our nation s independence, we will hear much about freedom. As citizens, we give thanks for the blessings we have and for the many who fought for and paid the price for our liberties. While we certainly do not worship our nation, we appropriately honor and give thanks to God for this land in which we can freely worship the one true God. As this national celebration then passes, we are joyful that we don t need an annual holiday to recognize true freedom as Christians. Daily we hold fast to the wonderful news that the battle has been fought and the price has been paid by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we may have freedom from sin, eternal death, and the devil. We welcome Rev. Pat O Brien back to our pulpit and thank him for his message to us this weekend.. We re very glad he is with us here today. Almighty God, open our ears, our hearts, and our minds to hear Your Word and lead us by Your Spirit to follow it, especially when doing so creates challenges and hardships for us as Your people. Amen. Rev. Philip J. Rigdon, Pastor Vicar Andrew Apple, Youth and Family Ministries Mrs. Ann Hinz, Minister of Music Mrs. Elaine Popp, Principal Pre-service Music Welcome and Greeting Prelude Opening Hymn Mrs. Anna Weigel, Admin. Assistant Mrs. Susan Heller and Miss Toni Sawyer, Parish Nurses Rev. Pat F. A. O Brien, Pastor Emeritus Rev. Arnold E Piering, Circuit Visitor O Beautiful for Spacious Skies - arr. James Mansfield Improvisation on America the Beautiful - Charles Callahan America the Beautiful O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!

2 Invocation Hymn and Dialog In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. We gather together to praise God and to be reminded of our calling as God s own people. And we gather as the people of God and as a people of a great nation who celebrate 241 years of freedom. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all people are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. America (My Country Tis of Thee) My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing: Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, From ev ry mountainside let freedom ring. Freedom s holy light shines upon us from our God. Freedom s holy light shines between all citizens of the kingdom of heaven. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. We are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. Freedom s holy light shines between all citizens of the kingdom of heaven. We are aglow with freedom s holy light. We bring light to this dark world. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. We are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. We are aglow with freedom s holy light. We bring light to this dark world. 2

3 Our father s God to thee, Author of liberty, to thee we sing: Long may our land be bright with freedom s holy light. Protect us by Thy might, great God our King. Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America Pledge of Allegiance National Anthem We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Please join with me as we pledge ourselves to the flag of our country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Oh, say! Can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming; Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there: Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? First Amendment of the Constitution 3 Star Spangled Banner Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Pledge to the Christian Flag We are also citizens of a heavenly Kingdom which has no end. Please join me as we pledge ourselves to our Heavenly King. I pledge allegiance to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the faith for which it stands, one Savior, eternal, with mercy and grace for all. Confession and Absolution

4 Hymn Let us confess our sins to God, our Father. Silence for reflection. Lord God, You have given us freedom and called us to follow Your only-begotten Son, to learn from Him, to live and grow in Him, and to tell others of Him. But we have been distracted by the responsibilities, the busyness, and the temptations of daily life in this world as we sin against You and one another in thought, word, and deed by what we have done and left undone, not loving You with our whole heart, and not loving others as ourselves. For the sake of Jesus Christ, forgive us, renew us, and lead us, that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Upon this, your confession, I, by virtue of my office as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. 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 + Son and of the Holy Spirit. For freedom Christ has set us free! Amen! Thanks be to God! In God We Trust Sung to the tune SINE NOMINE - For All the Saints - TLH # 463 In God we trust, Lord of eternity, By whose strong Word creation came to be, Lord of the nations, clothed in majesty. Alleluia! Alleluia! In God we trust, the Father s own true Son, By whose strong death our freedom has been won, And by whose rising new life is begun. Alleluia! Alleluia! In God we trust, the Holy Spirit dear, Whose inspiration shines the Gospel clear. That all the world the saving Word may hear. Alleluia! Alleluia! Children s Message 4

5 First Lesson Romans 13:1 7 (Paul urges obedience to God-given civil government.) Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Second Lesson Galatians 5:1, (Freedom in Christ and life by the Spirit) For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 5

6 Gospel Lesson John 8:31 38 (The truth will set you free.) 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? 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. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father. Hymn This is the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Who Could Have Dreamt a Land Like This? - Jaroslav J. Vajda, Sung to the tune WIE SCHON LEUCHTET: O Holy Spirit, Enter In Who could have dreamt a land like this, the answer to an exile s prayer, An Eden in the making? The thankful find a rare surprise, bright bursts of blessing ev rywhere, At ev ry new dawn s breaking. Ring out, sing out, hills replying, banners flying, bells a-ringing, Flood our Father s throne with singing. In deep and honest grief lament Your glory marred by greed and pride, The blood for vengeance crying. Before the Crucified repent the wasted land, the fratricide, Your ruthless, selfish vying. Toll then, toll ten bells of mourning, wrath and warning, tearful token, Once for each commandment broken. God s grace and pow r remain the same As when our fathers found this shore, His Spirit for the asking. America, invoke that Name, so shall we all, spared want and war, In fruitful peace be basking. Sing out, ring out, live in thrilling, dream-fulfilling expectation. Crack new bells in jubilation! Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, Copyright 1975 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. [P ermission is granted to reproduce this text for use between June 11 September 10, The above copyright notice must appear on each reproduction.] 6

7 Sermon Confession of Faith Prayer of the Church I believe in one God The Jesus Question (Matthew 16:13-17) Pastor O Brien The Nicene Creed Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. Almighty God, You sacrificed Your Son that we may be set free from the power of sin and eternal death. We give thanks for those who have gone before us in faith and for those who have sacrificed their lives in service to this country, that we may freely worship You and call upon Your name in thanksgiving and in time of need. Our God, our Help in ages past, our Hope for years to come, Our Shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal Home! Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, and our defense is sure. Gracious Lord, You have blessed this land with the bounties of farm and factory, the beauty of forest and mountain, and You continue to provide our daily bread in what we need for this body and life. Continue to bless this nation, state, and community. Preserve our liberties, and enable our leaders to govern with wisdom and justice. Give us willing hearts to observe laws of order and to work together for the common good of others. Guard us from calamities and disaster, and continue to call many to true freedom in You both now and for eternity to come. Before the hills in order stood or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same. A thousand ages in Thy sight are like an evening gone, Short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun. Merciful Father, You are our help in ages past and our hope for years to come. We humbly ask You to be the help for those now in need facing physical trials, uncertainty, and grief, especially... and those we name before You in our hearts. Grant them trust and faith in Your promises to come. When times are prosperous, let our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times, do not let our trust in You fail. 7

8 Thy word commands our flesh to dust: "Return ye sons of men!" All nations rose from earth at first and turn to earth again. Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away; They fly forgotten as a dream dies at the opening day. Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Prayer for our Nation God Bless Our Native Land TLH # 577 God bless our native land! Firm may she ever stand thro' storm and night! When the wild tempests rave, Ruler of wind and wave Do Thou our country save by Thy great might. For her our prayer shall rise to God above the skies; on Him we wait. Thou who art ever nigh, guarding with watchful eye, To Thee aloud we cry, God save the State! Gathering of Offerings Eucharistic Prayer America the Beautiful - arr. Christine Anderson Blessed are 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. In these last days, You have poured out Your Holy Spirit on Your Church, that Your sons and daughters might proclaim the wonders of Your salvation accomplished by the death and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Send us Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth that, faithfully eating and drinking the body and blood of Your Son we thereby remember Him and proclaim His salvation to the ends of the earth. Amen Lord s Prayer Our Father who art in heaven, Words of Institution 8

9 Invitation and Peace Distribution Come, let us eat for now the feast is spread. Our Lord s body let us take together. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. Hymn Before the Lord We Bow TLH #575 This hymn was written by Francis Scott Key, who also wrote the Star Spangled Banner. Hymn Before the Lord we bow, the God who reigns above And rules the world below in boundless pow'r and love. Our thanks we bring in joy and praise our hearts we raise To heav'n's high King The nation Thou hast blest may well Thy love declare, From foes and fears at rest, protected by Thy care. For this fair land, for this bright day, our thanks we pay--gifts of Thy hand. May ev'ry mountain height, each vale and forest green, Shine in Thy Word's pure light and its rich fruits be seen! May ev'ry tongue be tuned to praise and join to raise a grateful song! Earth, hear thy Maker's voice, Thy great Redeemer own; Believe, obey, rejoice, and worship Him alone. Cast down thy pride, Thy sin deplore, and bow before the Crucified. And when in power He comes, oh, may our native land From all its rending tombs send forth a glorious band, A countless throng, for aye to sing to heaven's high King salvation's song! Christ, by Heavenly Hosts Adored - TLH #566.1&3 Christ, by heav nly hosts adored, gracious, mighty, sov reign Lord, God of nations, King of kings, Head of all created things, By the Church with joy confessed, God the Son forever blessed, Pleading at Your throne we stand, save Your people, bless our land. Give us rulers faithful, true, such as love and honor You; Let the powers You ordained be in righteousness maintained. In the people s hearts increase love of piety and peace. Thus united, we shall stand one wide, free, and happy land. 9

10 Sending of Communion Prayer Sending Benediction (If an elder is taking communion to a shut-in) O God of tender compassion, as You healed the sick and welcomed the stranger, bless those who leave this assembly to share the gifts of this table with our sisters and brothers who are sick or homebound. May they be sustained by the love and prayers of this community and by the Bread of life that satisfies all hunger, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Wise and generous God, we thank You that at this holy table You have fed us again with the food of everlasting life. Send us with Your blessing to seek the good of our neighbor and call others to Your feast. Amen. We celebrate with flags and guns. God bless us and lead our nation into peace. We celebrate with songs and games. God bless us and lead our nation into unity. We celebrate with shouts and fireworks. God bless us and lead our nation into equality for all. We celebrate with parades and parties. God bless us and lead our nation into stewardship of creation. We celebrate with pomp and festivities. God bless us and lead our nation into productive growth. We celebrate with speeches and prayers. God bless us and lead us all into the freedom found in Christ. Amen. The Lord bless you Amen. For freedom Christ has set us free! Live in love, as Christ loved us. Walk by the Spirit, and go in peace as you serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! 10

Closing Hymn Soloist: God Bless America Irving Berlin While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that s free.

11 Closing Hymn Soloist: God Bless America Irving Berlin While the storm clouds gather far across the sea, Let us swear allegiance to a land that s free. Let us all be grateful for a land so fair, As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer. God bless America, land that I love, stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home. God bless America, my home sweet home. Postlude God bless America, land that I love, stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above. From the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam. God bless America, my home sweet home. God bless America, my home sweet home. America the Beautiful - arr. Fran Smith 11

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church 403 W. Bridge St. Brownstown, Indiana. As We Prepare for Worship FOR FREEDOM

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church 403 W. Bridge St. Brownstown, Indiana July 1, 2018 Independence Day celebration WELCOME to Worship today! What a joy to be together in Christ! Please fill out the