Concordia Lutheran Church 255 West Douglas St. South St. Paul, MN 55075 651-451-0309 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
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LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH YEAR PROPER 29 November 25, 2018 AS WE GATHER Today is the Last Sunday of the Church Year. Next week we will turn our attention to Advent and preparations for the celebration of Christ s incarnation. But as we prepare to celebrate Christ s first coming, we also anticipate His second coming. Christ s return in glory is the focus of this service. Jesus calls on His followers to stay awake and remain prepared for His coming. He warns that no one knows the day or the hour of His return. But He promises He is returning and returning soon. PRE-SERVICE MUSIC THE WELCOME THE RITE OF FRIENDSHIP PREPARATION OPENING SONG/HYMN The Power of Your Love Lord I come to You. Let my heart be changed renewed Flowing from the grace that I found in You And Lord I've come to know, the weaknesses I see in me Will be stripped away by the pow'r of Your love Chorus: Hold me close. Let Your love surround me Bring me near. Draw me to Your side And as I wait I'll rise up like the eagle And I will soar with You. Your Spirit leads me on in the pow'r of Your love 3
Lord unveil my eyes, let me see You face to face The knowledge of Your love as You live in me Lord renew my mind as Your will unfolds in my life In living ev'ry day by the pow'r of Your love Chorus 2 times INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION P: Christ is coming again and coming soon. Although we know this, although we have heard His words and warning, we have not always acted as though Christ were coming soon. At times we have grown complacent and lazy, focused on the things of this world rather than on Christ, His Word, and His salvation. As we gather together in the Lord s house, let us consider our failure to live according to His holiness. Silence for reflection P: Heavenly Father, C: we have not always lived according to Your Word. We have fallen asleep in the comfort of our sins. We have not stayed awake and remained prepared for the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive us, renew us, and stir us up so that we might prepare ourselves and others for Christ s return. P: Because of Jesus Christ s death and resurrection, you are presented blameless before the presence of God. As a called and ordained servant of the risen Christ and by His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. To God be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, now and forever. Amen. WORD INTROIT Psalm 39:4-5a, 7-8, 12a; antiphon: 2 Peter 3:13b NIV P: We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. C: O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! P: Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. 4
C: And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. P: Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! C: Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! 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: We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. KYRIE P: In peace let us pray to the Lord. C: Lord, have mercy. P: For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord. C: Lord, have mercy. P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all let us pray to the Lord. C: Lord, have mercy. P: For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord. C: Lord, have mercy. P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. C: Amen. GLORIA IN EXCELSIS p. 204 5
SALUTATION P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son into the world to die and rise for the sins of the world, and You have promised that He is coming again soon. Keep us firm in the true faith, ever clinging to Your promises and ever watchful for Your Son s return, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 51:4 6 (God s salvation will be forever.) 4 Give attention to me, my people, and give ear to me, my nation; for a law will go out from me, and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples. 5 My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait. 6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 6
GRADUAL Revelation 7:14b, Psalm 84:5 ALL: 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. Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. EPISTLE Jude 20 25 (Keep yourselves in the love of God.) But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. CHOIR ANTHEM: Seek Ye First by Karen Lafferty ALLELUIA AND VERSE ALL: Alleluia. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Alleluia. HOLY GOSPEL Mark 13:24 37 (Stay awake and keep prepared for Christ s coming.) P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the thirteenth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. 24 But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 7
28 From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. CREED Nicene Creed C: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, 8
who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. HYMN OF THE DAY Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending LSB 336 SERMON OFFERING 1 Lo! He comes with clouds descending, Once for ev ry sinner slain; Thousand thousand saints attending Swell the triumph of His train: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign. 2 Ev ry eye shall now behold Him Robed in glorious majesty; Those who set at naught and sold Him, Pierced and nailed Him to the tree, Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, deeply wailing, Shall their true Messiah see. 3 Those dear tokens of His passion Still His dazzling body bears, Cause of endless exultation To His ransomed worshipers. With what rapture, with what rapture, with what rapture Gaze we on those glorious scars! 4 Yea, amen, let all adore Thee, High on Thine eternal throne; Savior, take the pow r and glory, Claim the kingdom as Thine own. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! Thou shalt reign, and Thou alone! Text: Public domain 9
HYMN Jerusalem the Golden LSB 672 1 Jerusalem the golden, With milk and honey blest The promise of salvation, The place of peace and rest We know not, oh, we know not What joys await us there: The radiancy of glory, The bliss beyond compare! 2 Within those walls of Zion Sounds forth the joyful song, As saints join with the angels And all the martyr throng. The Prince is ever with them; The daylight is serene; The city of the blessèd Shines bright with glorious sheen. 3 Around the throne of David, The saints, from care released, Raise loud their songs of triumph To celebrate the feast. They sing to Christ their leader, Who conquered in the fight, Who won for them forever Their gleaming robes of white. Please stand for final verse D 4 O sweet and blessèd country, The home of God s elect! O sweet and blessèd country That faithful hearts expect! In mercy, Jesus, bring us To that eternal rest With You and God the Father And Spirit, ever blest. Text: Public domain 10
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. Lord, You reign as King forever. Protect Your Church from false teaching and scandalous living. Set Your justice as a light to all people. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Lord, You are robed in majesty. In creation, You clothed us with Your image, but we daily sin, staining and warping Your perfect image into something unrecognizable. Keep us in Christ, who clothes us in robes that have been washed white in His own blood. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Lord, in this fallen world, creation groans with many disasters. Restore the livelihood of those who have suffered such disasters as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and fires, for You, O Lord, are mightier than any storm or flood. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Lord, send healing to all who are sick, injured, and recovering, [especially...]. If it be Your will, restore their heath with the overflowing abundance that comes only from Your hand. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Lord, death remains a curse until You come again. Though we know You are coming soon, we still mourn the death of loved ones. [Today we remember the families and friends of...] Comfort all who grieve with the hope of the promised resurrection and return of Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Lord, we praise You for the blessings You have poured out upon us. We rejoice with those who rejoice, [especially...]. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Into Your hands we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. C: Amen. 11
SACRAMENT We believe, teach and confess that in the Lord s Supper, Christ comes to us and his body and blood are really present to forgive our sins and assure us of everlasting life and salvation. We, as baptized believers, prepare for Communion by examining ourselves, repenting of our sins, anticipating our Lord s forgiveness and drawing on Christ s power in the Sacrament to help us live an amended life for Christ. To those who share this confession with us, we invite you to join us as we welcome you to the Lord s Table. PREFACE P: The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4:22 C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. [Colossians 3:1] C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. [Psalm 136] C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. PROPER PREFACE P: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who is risen from the dead, alive and reigning at the Father s right hand. We look for His glorious return and the promised restoration of all creation. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying: SANCTUS Lord God of Holy Power Lord God of holy power, Lord God of holy might, We do not know the hour When You ll return in light. Hosanna in the highest To David s truest Son! He brings His peace and pure rest, The King and Blessed One! Text: Andrew R. Jones. Copyright 2018 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. 12
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING P: Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. THE WORDS OF OUR LORD 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. In the same way also He took the cup after 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 it, in remembrance of Me. LORD S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9 13) 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. PAX DOMINI P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen. 13
AGNUS DEI O Lamb of God, Our Savior O Lamb of God, our Savior, You take our sins away. Your mercy never wavers. Your grace will always stay. Grant peace we pray, Lord Jesus. Grant peace in ev ry place. From earth s vain chaos free us. Come meet us face to face. Text: Andrew R. Jones. Copyright 2018 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Just as I Am LSB 570 Lord, Jesus Christ, You have Prepared LSB 622 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence LSB 621 Your Table I Approach LSB 628 POST COMMUNION HYMN Sent Forth by God s Blessing LSB 643, v.1 1 Sent forth by God s blessing, Our true faith confessing, The people of God from His dwelling take leave. The Supper is ended. O now be extended The fruits of this service in all who believe. The seed of His teaching, Receptive souls reaching, Shall blossom in action for God and for all. His grace did invite us, His love shall unite us To work for God s kingdom and answer His call. Text: 1964 World Library Publications. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003134 14
POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING P: Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son s body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith as we wait for Christ s return, that on the day of His coming we may be awake and prepared to celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. BENEDICTION P: God the almighty Father bless you and keep you. God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, fill your hearts and lives with His glory. God the Holy Spirit be with you that you ever walk in the way of peace. C: Amen. CLOSING HYMN I ll Fly Away Some glad morning when this life is o re, I ll fly away. To a home on God s celestial shore. I ll fly away. Chorus: I ll fly away O Glory, I ll fly away. When I die, hallelujah by and by, oh I ll fly away. Just a few more weary days and then I ll fly away. To a land where joy shall never end. I ll fly away. Chorus Some glad morning when this life is o re. I ll fly away. To a home on God s celestial shore. I ll fly away. Chorus 2 times 15
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 Elder: Eric Weir Usher Captain: Kim Huebscher Lay Reader: Peggy Kilb Altar Guild: John & Marcia Lally Greeters: John & Marcia Lally Acknowledgments Divine Service, Setting Four from Lutheran Service Book 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. 16