THE DIVINE SERVICE August 3, 2014 The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, this church opens wide her doors and offers welcome to all who sin and need a Savior; to all who are spiritually weak and seek rest; to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who struggle and desire victory; to all who are strangers and want fellowship; to all who hunger and thirst after righteousness; and to whosoever will come. Jesus taught us that if our brother has something against us, we ought to go and be reconciled to him before we do anything else in gathered worship. Please do that without delay if necessary. Hearing enhancement devices available please ask an usher. Children s worship folders are available on the literature rack in the narthex. In Preparation PRELUDE Julie Brister; Mattie Brister, cello Like a River Glorious arr. Kurt Kaiser Like a river glorious is God s perfect peace, Over all victorious in its bright increase; Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day, Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way. Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest, Finding, as he promised, perfect peace and rest. WORDS OF PREPARATION Isaiah 55:1-5 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. (ESV) COLLECT OF THE DAY O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures you have stored up for us in heaven, that we may never despair but always rejoice and be thankful for the riches of your grace; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. SILENT PRAYER Following the prelude, please observe silence in final preparation for gathered worship.! Congregation stands as able
The Service of Entrance CHORAL INTROIT! HYMN OF INVOCATION! All That Hath Life and Breath Rene Clausen All that hath life and breath praise ye the Lord, shout to the Lord, alleluia! Alleluia, praise him, laud him, alleluia! Minister: People: Minister: People: Minister: I will give thanks to thee O Lord among the nations; I will sing praises to thee among the peoples! For thy steadfast love is great to the heavens and thy faithfulness reaches to the skies. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. PRAYER OF ADORATION world without end. Amen. 2! Congregation stands as able
! CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN Minister People: Minister: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart, and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching him, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to grant us forgiveness. Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto thee, that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against thee by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to thine infinite mercy, seeking and imploring thy grace, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Having confessed together our great need for God s mercy, let us now silently and humbly confess to God our personal and particular sins. DECLARATION OF ABSOLUTION Minister: People: Hear the Word of the Gospel: Christ has died for our sins and been raised for our justification. All you who repent of your sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, rejoice and be glad and give glory to the Lord who has taken away all of your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.! Minister: Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: the Maker of heaven and earth. Minister: O Lord, open our lips, People: and our mouth will declare your praise.! Congregation stands as able 3
! THE GLORIA AND HYMN OF GRATITUDE AND PRAISE!! Congregation stands as able 4
The Service of the Word! THE PSALTER Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26! Minister: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, People: for his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his mercy endures forever. Who only does great wonders, for his mercy endures forever; Who by wisdom made the heavens, for his mercy endures forever; Who spread out the earth upon the waters, for his mercy endures forever; Who created great lights, for his mercy endures forever; The sun to rule the day, for his mercy endures forever; The moon and the stars to govern the night, for his mercy endures forever. Who remembered us in our low estate, for his mercy endures forever; And delivered us from our enemies, for his mercy endures forever; Who gives food to all creatures, for his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his mercy endures forever. THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Isaiah 55:1-5 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! CHORAL RESPONSE The Eyes of All Wait upon Thee Jean Berger The eyes of all wait upon thee; And thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15, 16)! Congregation stands as able 5
THE GOSPEL LESSON Matthew 14:13-21 Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise be to you, O Christ!! OUR RESPONSE!! Congregation stands as able 6
! WELCOME At this time, please sign and pass the attendance pads down the row.! INTERLUDE PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION AND THANKSGIVING Ruling Elder Randy Scott Unison: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.! THE EPISTLE LESSON Romans 9:1-16 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION MORNING SERMON Ruling Elder Robert Phillips Does God Love Everybody the Same? Romans 9:1-16 (A sermon outline is available at the back of the bulletin.)! Congregation stands as able 7
The Biblical significance of eating in God s presence can be noted from the Garden of Eden in Genesis to the Garden-City in Revelation. The Lord Jesus instituted the New Covenant at a meal the meal as he broke bread and shared the cup with his disciples. The Church has always repeated this meal as Christ and his Apostles command, the culmination of worship in God s presence and a bold proclamation of Christ s death until he comes. We invite all baptized Christians to come to this table, his table, and to rejoice with us in God s grace given to us in Christ. If you recognize yourself as a repentant and believing sinner, trusting in Christ s shed blood for the forgiveness of your sins, then come. Baptized children are admitted to the Table upon an age-appropriate profession of faith in Christ. Let us draw near, then, with thankful and reverent hearts and receive by faith the body and blood of Christ, a true nourishment for our souls. If you have any question about whether or not you should receive communion, please ask one of our elders. Communicants who for medical reasons must consume gluten free bread can receive this during the passing of the peace. An elder or deacon serves in front, near the reading lectern. Children are served only when accompanied by a parent. The center cup and inner circle contain grape juice and the outer circles contain wine. Our elders strongly encourage everyone to take the wine. The juice is available for those who cannot drink the wine in faith (Romans 14:23). Please hold each element until all have been served so that we may partake together. The Service of the Table! CORPORATE CONFESSION OF FAITH The Nicene Creed Unison: 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 Ghost, 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 sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic 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. PASSING OF THE PEACE! Minister: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you! Minister: Let us offer one another a sign of peace. Members of the congregation greet one another with a sign of friendship such as the ancient words that the church has used over the centuries, The peace of Christ be with you, and the response, And also with you.! Congregation stands as able 8
TITHES AND OFFERINGS Minister: The earth is the Lord s, and the fullness thereof; People: the world, and they that dwell therein. HYMN OF GRATITUDE TO GOD! Congregation stands as able 9
! Minister: Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendor, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.! PRAYER OF DEDICATION Minister: People: Our Holy and Triune God, for your glory and the advancement of your kingdom, with grateful, joyous, and faithful hearts we present to you these tithes and offerings, together with all that we are. Multiply these gifts and increase their usefulness; magnify your name and purposes in their distribution; continually increase in us the joy of honoring you so; and now set your blessing upon us all, supplying our every need according to your riches and glory in Christ Jesus, in whose mighty name we pray. Amen.! THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Minister: The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Minister: Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them up to the Lord! Minister: Let us give thanks to our Lord God! People: It is good and right to do so! Minister: It is very good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we praise and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and singing:! Congregation stands as able 10
WORDS OF INSTITUTION PRAYER OF CONSECRATION COMMUNION HYMN (as the bread is served)! Congregation stands as able 11
AGNUS DEI Minister: Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! People: Amen! COMMUNION HYMN (as the cup is served)! BENEDICTION! Congregation stands as able 12
! DEPARTING HYMN! Congregation stands as able 13
LESSONS Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26 1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. 2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth forever. 3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth forever. 4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth forever. 5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth forever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth forever. 7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth forever: 8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth forever: 9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth forever. 23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth forever: 24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth forever. 25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth forever. 26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth forever. (KJV) Isaiah 55:1-5 1 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. 3 Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. 4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples. 5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the LORD your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you. (ESV) Matthew 14:13-21 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves. 16 But Jesus said, They need not go away; you give them something to eat. 17 They said to him, We have only five loaves here and two fish. 18 And he said, Bring them here to me. 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. (ESV) Sermon Lesson: Romans 9:1-16 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but Through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad in order that God s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls 12 she was told, The older will serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (ESV)! Congregation stands as able 14