He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. Rev. 21:6 September 27, 2015
PRELUDE COME TO BELIEVE, COME TO BELONG PO BOX 1643-221 E LAKELAND DR. - ALLYN, WA 98524-360.275.3390 www.northbaylutheran.org 18TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST SEPTEMBER 27, 2015 WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen 2 Robert Aaron Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, let us confess our sins in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. Most merciful God, we confess that we are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your holy name. Amen In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Fairest Lord Jesus READINGS AND SONGS FROM REVELATIONS ADAPTED FROM THE WORK OF DR. CRAIG KEOSTER Reader 1: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near (Rev 1:1-3). 3
Reader 2: I was in the Spirit on the Lord s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet saying, Write in a book what you see and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamum, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea (Rev 1:10-11). Reader 3: Church of Ephesus, I know that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love that you had at first. Reader 4: Church of Smyrna, I know your affliction and your poverty, even though you are rich. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Reader 3: Church of Pergamum, I have a few things against you. There are some who follow the teachings of Balaam, so that they eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. Repent. Reader 4: Church of Thyatira, I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel who teaches others to eat food sacrificed to idols. I gave her time to repent, but she refuses. Reader 3: Church of Sardis, you have the name of being alive, but you re dead. Wake up and strengthen what is on the point of death. Remember what you received and heard. Repent. Reader 4: Church of Philadelphia, I know you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have. Reader 3: Church of Laodicea, you say I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing. You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. Repent. Listen, I am standing at the door and knocking. Let anyone who has an ear now listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. 4
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence verses 1,4 Reader 1: At once I was in the Spirit, and there in heaven stood a throne, with one seated on the throne! And the one seated there looks like jasper and carnelian, and around the throne is a rainbow that looks like an emerald. And around the throne are 24 thrones, and seated on the thrones are 24 elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads... and in front of the throne is something like a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, and each side of the throne, are four living creatures... each of them with six wings. Day and night without ceasing they sing... (Rev 4: 1-8) 5
Holy, Holy, Holy verses 1-2 Reader 2: Then I saw in the right hand of the one seated on the throne a scroll... with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. And I began to weep bitterly. Reader 3: Then one of the elders said to me, Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals. Reader 2: Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb, standing as if it had been slain... When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense... They sing a new song... 6
Crown him with many crowns verses 1, 3 7
Reader 1: Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals... and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer. Reader 2: When he opened the second seal... out came another horse, bright red, and its rider was permitted to take peace from the earth. Reader 3: When he opened the third seal there was a black horse! its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a voice... saying, A quart of wheat for a day s pay, and three quarts of barley for a day s pay. Reader 4: When he opened the fourth seal...there was a pale green horse! Its rider s name was Death, and Hades followed with him. They were given authority to kill with sword, and famine, with pestilence and by the wild animals of the earth. Reader 1: When he opened the fifth seal I saw martyrs under the altar crying out Lord how long before you avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth? Reader 2: When he opened the sixth seal the sun became black and the sky vanished and every mountain and island was removed from its place. And all the people called to the mountains and rocks, Hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand? Reader 3: After this I looked and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white. 8
You Servants of God verses 3, 4 Reader 4: When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (Brief silence) And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 9
Reader 1: There was hail and fire. Reader 2: The seas turned to blood. Reader 3: A star fell from heaven. Reader 4: The sky became dark. Reader 1: Locusts swarmed the earth. Reader 2: Demonic hordes appeared. Reader 3: I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven... and when he shouted the seven thunders sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down. Reader 4: Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told to measure the temple of God, whose outer court was being trampled. And two witnesses wearing sackcloth prophesied until the beast made war on them and killed them. But the breath of God entered them and they stood on their feet. And a voice from heaven said Come up here! There was a great earthquake and in terror people gave glory to God. And the seventh angel blew his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven, saying Excerpt from the Hallelujah Chorus Reader 1: A great portent appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head was a crown of twelve stars. Reader 2: Then another portent appeared in heaven, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns. Reader 3: The woman gave birth to the child who is to rule the nations, then fled into the wilderness. Reader 4: A war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated. And the dragon was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Reader 1: I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads... and it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. 10
Reader 2: Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth... and it makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast. Reader 3: Then an angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he had a sharp sickle... And the angel swung his sickle over the earth and gathered the vintage of the earth, and threw it into the great wine press of the wrath of God. And the wine press was trodden outside the city. Battle Hymn of the Republic Verses 1,2 11
Reader 1: Then I saw another portent in heaven. There were seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is ended. Reader 2: Sores came upon the worshipers of the beast. Reader 3: The sea turned to blood. Reader 4: The rivers and springs turned to blood. Reader 1: There was fierce heat. Reader 2: There was darkness. Reader 3: There were foul spirits let loose upon the earth. Reader 4: There were earthquakes, thunder, and hail. Reader 1: Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls said to me, Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who is seated upon many waters. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns... and on her forehead was written a name, a mystery: Babylon the great... and I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the witnesses to Jesus. Reader 2: But the beast will hate the harlot and will make war on her and burn her with fire. Reader 3: After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven with great authority. He called out with a mighty voice, Fallen, fallen, is Babylon the great! Reader 4: After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns! Excerpt from the Hallelujah Chorus Reader 1: Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood and his name is called the Word of God. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. 12
Reader 2: Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, and bound him for a thousand years. Reader 3: And I saw thrones, and those seated on them were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God. They came to life and ruled with Christ for a thousand years. Reader 4: When the thousand years were ended, Satan was released from his prison, but fire came down from heaven, and the devil was thrown into the lake of fire. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and the books were opened, and another book was opened, the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done. Reader 1: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Reader 2: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Behold the dwelling of God is among people. He will dwell with them and they will be his peoples. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the former things have passed away. Reader 3: Then one of the seven angels said to me, Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. And he carried me away to a great high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem. It had twelve gates on which were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. And it had twelve foundations on which were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The wall is built of jasper, while the city is pure gold. And the twelve gates are twelve pearls, each of the gates a single pearl. Reader 4: I saw no temple in the city, for the temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. SERMON Pastor Brian Pederson 13
HYMN OF THE DAY This Is The Feast 14
CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING The offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. If you are visiting with us, please feel free to pass the offering plate, you are our guest. OFFERTORY Doxology BH 253 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heav'nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. A-men OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. 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 15
DIALOGUE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise. WORDS OF INSTITUTION LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, which 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 forever. Amen INVITATION TO COMMUNION THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION: is open to all. We believe and teach that Christ is truly present in the bread and wine/juice, which are his body and blood. Young children whose parents do not wish for them to receive Communion yet are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing. For those who wish, the clear center cups are grape juice COMMUNION SONG 16
POST COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you, and keep you in his grace. Amen PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray. We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Reader 1: Then the angel showed me the river of the water life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb, through the middle of the street of the city. Reader 2: God s servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Reader 3: And there will be no more night. Reader 4: For the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever. Shall We Gather at the River 17
The Lord says, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Behold I am coming soon! Amen. Come Lord Jesus! For All the Saints Verse 1,3,8 18
BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord's face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen DISMISSAL Go in peace, Serve the Lord! Thanks be to God! TODAY S WORSHIP ASSISTANTS GREETERS: Sherry Nutter and MJ Moss USHERS: Jim and Arlene Burton COMMUNION ASSISTANTS: Joyce Chandler and Jessine Foss READERS: Pastor Brian Pederson, Jan Gleich, Jerry Pedersen, and John Lorenz COFFEE HOSTS: Carole Boyko, Deanna Smith, and Arlene Burton SACRISTANS: Jan Thoemke and Patty Rogers ACOLYTE: Logan Evans COUNTERS: Marv Frye, Don Nelson, and Joyce Chandler FLOWERS: From Pastor Brian & Leah Pederson, given to the glory of God. Last Week s Attendance: 100 19