Concordia Lutheran Church 255 West Douglas St. South St. Paul, MN

Transcription

1 Concordia Lutheran Church 255 West Douglas St. South St. Paul, MN Vision Creating a Christ-Centered Community, one family at a time, beginning in South St. Paul and continuing through the world Mission Creating a Christ-Centered community gathered together To joyfully worship our God To grow in faith and knowledge To love one another And to share the Good News of Jesus Christ

2 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 17 September 2, 2018 AS WE GATHER One of the greatest accomplishments of Satan is tricking people into believing he is not real. After all, if people think he does not exist, then they aren t prepared for his attacks. Today, however, the apostle Paul reminds us of the reality of the old evil foe. Satan and his threats are real, but God does not leave us defenseless. We are to take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm (Ephesians 6:13). When Paul calls us to put on the full armor of God, the pieces of armor are all given in the one garment we put on in Holy Baptism. Clothed in Christ and His strength, we are able to stand against Satan, confident that even though he is a real threat, we need not fear! PRE-SERVICE MUSIC THE WELCOME THE RITE OF FRIENDSHIP PREPARATION OPENING HYMN Onward Christian Soldiers LSB Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. Christ, the royal master, Leads against the foe; Forward into battle See His banners go! Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. 2

3 2 Like a mighty army Moves the Church of God; Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod. We are not divided, All one body we, One in hope and doctrine, One in charity. Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. 3 Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane, But the Church of Jesus Constant will remain. Gates of hell can never Gainst that Church prevail; We have Christ s own promise, And that cannot fail. Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. 4 Onward, then, ye faithful, Join our happy throng, Blend with ours your voices In the triumph song: Glory, laud, and honor Unto Christ, the king; This through countless ages Men and angels sing. Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before. Text: Public domain 3

4 INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Psalm 51:2, 7, 10 P: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! C: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. P: Since we are gathered to hear God s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people, let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. C: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen. 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 Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. WORD INTROIT Psalm 111:1 5, 9; antiphon: v. 10 P: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! C: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. P: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit with- in me. C: Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. P: Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. All: Glory be 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. P: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 4

5 KYRIE P: In peace let us pray to the Lord. P: For the gift of divine peace and of pardon, with all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord. P: For the holy Christian Church, here and scattered throughout the world, and for the proclamation of the Gospel and the calling of all to faith, let us pray to the Lord. P: For this nation, for our cities and communities, and for the common welfare of us all, let us pray to the Lord. P: For seasonable weather and for the fruitfulness of the earth, let us pray to the Lord. P: For those who labor, those whose work is difficult or dangerous, and for all who travel, let us pray to the Lord. P: For all those in need, for the hungry and homeless, for the widowed and orphaned, and for all those in prison, let us pray to the Lord. P: For the sick and dying and for all those who care for them, let us pray to the Lord. P: For these and for all our needs of body and soul, let us pray to the Lord. P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us gracious Lord. HYMN OF PRAISE Praise to the Lord, the Almighty LSB 790 (verse 1) Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is your health and salvation! Let all who hear Now to His temple draw near, Joining in glad adoration! Text: Public domain SALUTATION P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. 5

6 PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray. O God, our strength is not found in our knowledge, but in Christ alone. Give us good courage, C: that we would stand firm even in the midst of the devil s schemes by the strength You give; P: through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OLD TESTAMENT READING Deuteronomy 4:1 2, And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the just decrees that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the LORD our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and just decrees so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? 9 Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children s children. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. GRADUAL ALL: Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing! Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. EPISTLE Ephesians 6: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 6

7 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA AND VERSE ALL: Alleluia. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Alleluia. THE HOLY GOSPEL Mark 7:14 23 P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the seventh chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled? (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. 7

8 THE CREED The Apostles Creed C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life T everlasting. Amen. THE HYMN OF THE DAY Lord, Keep Your Statues in My Heart Lord, keep Your statutes in my heart; Guard me, that I will not depart From You or from Your righteous Law, Which holds no hint of human flaw. Lord, I am set apart in You And all that You would have me do. Your wisdom shines in this dark world As testimonies come unfurled. Lord, tears of sorrow mar my face: Your truth is met with hell s disgrace. As unseen powers clash at war, Preserve me from the harm in store. Lord, help me cling to Your clear will Against all sin and earthly ill, And when I fail and come undone, Restore me in Your perfect Son. 8

9 Lord, I take joy in Your command And watch it spread to ev ry land. Behold, Your people stand in light And trust in Your eternal might. Text: Lisa M. Clark. Copyright 2018 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. SERMON OFFERING HYMN Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart LSB 806 Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He s given Jesus Christ His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One, Give thanks because He s given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say I am strong, Let the poor say I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say I am strong, Let the poor say I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks, give thanks. Text: 1978 Integrity s Hosanna! Music. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: We come before our Lord in prayer, saying along with the psalmist, Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your way with those who love Your name. O Lord, You spoke through Your servant Moses, instructing us to teach Your Word to future generations. Grant us diligence in sharing Christ with our children and our children s children, that they may know Him as their Savior. Turn to me and be gracious to me, C: as is Your way with those who love Your name. 9

10 P: O Lord, the apostle Paul warns us of Satan and his schemes. We thank You that You do not leave us defenseless but give us Your armor to guard and defend us. Turn to me and be gracious to me, C: as is Your way with those who love Your name. P: O Lord, You have the power to heal and to restore, and so we humbly ask that You look with favor upon the sick and hurting in body, mind, or spirit, [especially...]. Give to them strength and restoration according to Your perfect will. Turn to me and be gracious to me, C: as is Your way with those who love Your name. P: O Lord, we thank You for those who serve on behalf of others, including teachers, first responders, and those in the armed forces of our land. Watch over and bless these individuals as they fulfill these vocations with selflessness and honor. Turn to me and be gracious to me, C: as is Your way with those who love Your name. P: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy. C: Amen. LORD S PRAYER 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. (Matthew 6:9 13) BENEDICTION 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 give you peace. Numbers 6:24 26 C: Amen. 10

11 CLOSING HYMN Fight the Good Fight LSB Fight the good fight with all your might; Christ is your strength, and Christ your right. Lay hold on life, and it shall be Your joy and crown eternally. 2 Run the straight race through God s good grace; Lift up your eyes, and seek His face. Life with its way before us lies; Christ is the path, and Christ the prize. 3 Cast care aside, lean on your guide; His boundless mercy will provide. Trust, and enduring faith shall prove Christ is your life and Christ your love. 4 Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changes not who holds you dear; Only believe, and you will see That Christ is all eternally. Text: Public domain Acknowledgments Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2018 Concordia Publishing House. Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 4. Copyright 2018 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. 11

12 Concordia Lutheran Church s Covenant with One Another How Do We Love One Another at Concordia Lutheran Church? 1. We will behave in a spirit of forgiveness always speaking well of others with love and kindness knowing that God created every human being in His image and we will always show respect for others despite our mutual failures, acknowledging shortfalls and willing to forget prior harms. 2. We will promote and practice honest conversations following the 8 th Commandment to speak well of each other, avoiding gossip by redirecting people to the appropriate person and avoiding anything that would cause divisions in the Body of Christ. 3. We will lift up each other in prayer in all that we do by turning to God for guidance and support, showing our gratitude and thanksgiving, and realizing we depend on Him for our entire existence. 4. We will offer a hand of hospitality welcoming all people by acknowledging the presence of others, greeting everyone with concern for them and openly sharing our biblical faith with everyone in word and deed. 5. We will be positive and joyful sharing openly our happiness in the Lord with fun, positive humor and inclusive fellowship always defending each other, speaking well of each other, and putting the best construction on everything. Serving In God s House Pastor: Reverend William L. Keller II Organ/Piano: Beth Ekblad Usher Captain: Bruce Avenson Lay Reader: Bruce Avenson Altar Guild: John & Marcia Lally Greeters: Greg & Vickie Peterson 12