MOUNT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH 210-824-8748 New Year s Eve December 31, 2018 We realize that it is difficult for some people to stand for long periods of time, or to kneel. Please feel free to sit as necessary during the liturgy and the prayers. Sitting during the confession is also appropriate for those who cannot kneel. Prelude Opening Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past LSB 733 Invocation P In the name of the Father, the Son T and the Holy Spirit. P The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. C those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light has shone. P For to us a child is born, C to us a Son is given; P And the government shall rest upon his shoulder. C And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace P Of the increase of his government and of peace C there will be no end! P for to us a child is born C to us a Son is given. (Isaiah 9) Confession and Absolution P 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. P Our help is in the name of the Lord, C who made heaven and earth. P I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, C and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Kneel/Sit Silence for reflection on God's Word and for self-examination. P O almighty God, merciful Father, C I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being. 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 T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Stand Hymn of Praise: Angels We Have Heard on High LSB 368 Collect P Lord Jesus, stay with us, for the evening is at hand and the day is past. Be our constant companion on the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope among us, that we may recognize You as You are revealed in the Scriptures and in the breaking of the bread. Grant this for Your name s sake. Sit Old Testament Reading Isaiah 30:8-17 8 And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever. 9 For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, Do not see, and to the prophets, Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel. Therefore thus
says the Holy One of Israel, Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant; and its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern. For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you were unwilling, 16 and you said, No! We will flee upon horses ; therefore you shall flee away; and, We will ride upon swift steeds ; therefore your pursuers shall be swift. A thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Epistle Romans 8:31b-39 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. P This is the Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God. Stand
Holy Gospel Luke 12:35-40 P The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twelfth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. 35 Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. P This is the Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ. Nicene Creed 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, 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 T of the world to come. Amen. Sit Sermon Hymn: Great Is They Faithfulness LSB 809 Sermon: Rev. Dr. James Lee Stand Offertory Gathering of Tithes and Offerings Our offering is our way of saying, Thank you to God for all His gifts to us and to support His work here at Mt. Calvary and around the world. To all our guests this morning, we are happy to have you with us, but you are under no obligation to give an offering. But we would request your prayers for our ministry. We would ask all present to please complete an attendance card found in the pew and place it in the offering plate in order that we have a record of your worshipping with us. If you have a prayer request, please put it on a Prayer Request Card and the ushers will bring it forward with the offering. Sit Voluntary Stand Prayers of the Church Communion Liturgy P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. C It is right to give him thanks and praise. 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, for in the
mystery of the Word made flesh You have given us a new revelation of Your glory that, seeing You in the person of Your Son, we may be drawn to the love of those things which are not seen. 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 Tune: Hark the Herald Holy, holy, holy Lord! God of hosts by all adored! Heaven and earth cannot contain All the glory of Your name! Hail, hosanna, God most High! Blest is He who now draws nigh. In the name God the King! Alleluias, glad we sing: Hail, hosanna! God Most High! Blest is He who now draws nigh. P Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on us 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 allavailing sacrifice on the cross. Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strength 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 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 P Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: Lord s Prayer Tune: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear Our Father, Lord on heav ns high throne, most holy be Your name. Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth in heaven the same. Give us this day the food we need; forgiven may we be. Into temptation do not lead; from evil set us free.
Yours is the Kingdom; unto You, in grateful love we bow; And Yours the pow r; Lord let us view Your mighty presence now. The glory Yours; Your praise be sung by angel hosts and men. In every land and every tongue, forevermore Amen! 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 T 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 T blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. The peace of the Lord be with you always. Agnus Dei Tune: The King Shall Come O Lamb of God, You take away, the sin of all the world; Have mercy on us, now we pray, O Christ, true Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, You take away, the sin of all the world; Have mercy on us, now we pray, O Christ, true Lamb of God. O Lamb of God, You take away, the sin of all the world; Have mercy on us, now we pray, And grant us all Your peace. Communion Hymns: What Feast of Love What feast of love is offered here, what banquet come from heaven? What food of everlasting life, what gracious gift is given? This, this is Christ the King, the bread come down from heaven. Oh, taste and see and sing! How sweet the manna given! What light of truth is offered here, what covenant from heaven? What hope of everlasting life, what wondrous Word is given? This, this is Christ the King, the sun come down from heaven. Oh, see and hear and sing! The Word of God is given!
What wine of love is offered here, what holy drink from heaven? What stream of everlasting life, what precious blood is given? This, this is Christ the King, the sweetest wine of heaven. Oh, taste and see and sing! The Son of God is given! Text: Delores Dufner, OSB b. 1939 Tune: English Traditional Greensleeves Lo, How a Rose E er Blooming LSB 359 Let Us All with Gladsome Voice LSB 390 Across the Sky the Shades of Night LSB 899 Stand Nunc Dimittis Tune: From Heaven Above Oh, thank the Lord, whose goodness sure and steadfast love fore er endure! Our eyes have seen, our ears have heard, And we have tasted of His Word. As His own servants we depart - with His salvation in our heart. His saving pow r He has made known His love through all the earth is shown. Lord, let us show the world Your light; let us declare Your glory bright, Proclaim Your death until You come to take Your ransomed servants home. Glory to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One! Oh, thank the Lord, whose goodness sure, And steadfast love fore er endure! Post-Communion Collect P O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in lovingkindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Benediction P The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. Sit Closing Hymn: The Day Thou Gavest LSB 886 Postlude + + + + + + + + + COMMUNION: Holy Communion will be celebrated today. If you are a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and desire to take communion, please indicate on the Rite of Friendship card found in the pew and place it in the offering plate. All other guests are kindly asked to speak to the Pastor before communing. Both the common and individual cups are offered at each table simultaneously. If you desire the common cup, the Pastor will provide it to you, while the Elders serve the individual cups. It is proper to take hold of the cup when receiving the common cup. This helps prevent spilling and greatly assists the Pastor. NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE AVAILABLE: For those who are allergic or for health reasons unable to drink regular wine, alcohol-removed wine is available for Holy Communion. The non-alcoholic wine is white in color and is in the three individual glasses in the center of each tray. It is available in each service at each table. The reception of this wine in no way affects the theological meaning or benefits of this Sacrament. + + + + + + + + + Our thanks to Dr. Toby Elbert for serving as organist tonight; and to Rev. Dr. James Lee for preaching tonight and Christmas Day. Please join us for a reception in the gym following tonight s service. 2019 Offering Envelopes may be picked up from the narthex. Please discard any old offering envelopes you may have. If you did not receive a box of envelopes and would like to, please contact Susan in the church office.
MT. CALVARY S MISSION STATEMENT Responding to God s love, we STRENGTHEN and SERVE each other and go forth from the Mount to SHARE the changeless message of Jesus Christ with the world. OUR MOTTO From the Mount to the world with God s love. 2018 THEME Nothing Less Than Jesus STAFF PHONE David Reedy, Senior Pastor 210-541-5607 Craig Meissler, Associate Pastor/Director of Music 210-296-4071 James Haupt, Pastor Emeritus 210-344-8454 Millard Watson, Lay Minister 210-659-1298 Sarah Paseur, Youth Ministry Leader 210-347-0172 Pam Dodson (Celebration Ringers) 210-259-7383 Church office 210-824-8748 Fax 210-804-0052 WEB PAGE ADDRESS: www.mtcsa.org CHURCH E-MAIL: mtcalvary@mtcsa.org