Core: Here We Stand - Reformation On October, 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed a list of complaints he had against the Roman church, on the doors of the Wittenberg Castle Church. 500 years later, Protestants around the world continue to reform their churches, working to make sense of life, culture, and faith much as Martin Luther did. Happy Reformation Day, and 500 years of reforming! Welcome! At the center of our bodies is what exercise scientists have come to call the core. When the core is strong, the whole body is stronger and healthier. The same is true with the church of Jesus Christ. When we are centered on the CORE of our faith, we are stronger and healthier as a church and as individuals living out our faith in the world. During this eight week worship series, we will focus on what really matters to the life of faith. While we are taking our cues from Martin Luther s teachings (Fun fact: 2017 is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation), we celebrate that the church of Jesus Christ does not stand still in history, but instead is a living, breathing body that needs a strong CORE to thrive in our world. Parents, you can find canvas activity bags for your children in the back of the sanctuary. For infants up through age three, the nursery is available. Thank you for joining us today. We welcome you! You are also invited to take an Announcements sheet here at Easter, or visit easter.org for events & activities (Announcement sheets are posted weekly under Events & News). Core: Here We Stand - Reformation October 29, 2017 8:30 & 10 a.m. Easter Lutheran Church to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ Prelude: Rejoice, the Lord Is King - Darwall, arr. Innes Ben Kornelis, organ As Jesus did, we welcome children of all ages as integral members of the body of Christ, and we welcome the sounds and activity that accompany them! Thank you Parents/Grandparents for bringing your children to worship! Greetings and Announcements Video: Homework Help Gathering Confession and Forgiveness Pastor: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Congregation: Amen P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. (Silence) Most merciful God, C: we confess that we are captive 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. P: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen
The Sharing of the Peace is a way of demonstrating hospitality and grace with others. Please understand if some people choose not to shake hands while sharing the Peace for health reasons, but simply greet you with a smile. Sharing of the Peace Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Congregation: And also with you. Gathering Hymn: Unto God s Word We Turn Again The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week, the day of Christ s resurrection Text 2017, Terre Johnson Greeting: Leader: Congregation: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. Kyrie 2 continued on next page
Kyrie continued Holy Communion, Setting Three 1978, 2006: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923. Canticle of Praise: This Is the Feast Hymnal #167 continued on next page 3
Canticle of Praise: This Is the Feast continued Holy Communion, Setting Three 1978, 2006: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923. Prayer of the Day Behold, Lord, I am an empty vessel that needs to be filled. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me and make my love go out to my neighbor. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you. I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor. I am a sinner; you are upright. Therefore I will remain with you, in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, Amen. 4
Anthem: Old Hundredth Psalm Tune - Ralph Vaughan Williams Easter Choir Judy Campen, organ; Nathan Stoerzinger, Brent Elert, Randy Bowman, trumpet All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice; Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell, Come ye before him, and rejoice. The Lord, ye know, is God indeed, Without our aid he did us make; We are his folk, he doth us feed, And for his sheep he doth us take. O enter then his courts with praise, Approach with joy his courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless his name always, For it is seemly so to do. For why? The Lord our God is good: His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure. Congregation join at cue: To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, The God whom heav n and earth adore, From men and from the angelhost Be praise and glory evermore. William Kethe (d.1594), in Daye s Psalter (1560-1) Text 2017, Terre Johnson. Used by permission. Children s Message Word JAM Kids! You can go to the Fellowship Hall now to join your Small Group. Have fun learning about Jesus! God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song Lesson: Jeremiah 31: 31-34 (NRSV) The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, Know the Lord, for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 5
Lesson: Psalm 46 (NRSV) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Lesson: Romans 3: 19-28 (NRSV) Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For no human being will be justified in his sight by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. L: The word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation: 6 Holy Communion, Setting Three 1978, 2006: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923.
Gospel: John 8: 31-36 (NRSV) Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. They answered him, We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, You will be made free? Jesus answered them, Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. L: The gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon: Pastor Rolf Jacobson Hymn of the Day: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God Hymnal #504 7
Father is a specific and accessible image of God that Jesus gave us. Jesus did not limit God to this image. References to God as Creator, Parent, Mother, Counselor can be equally as helpful and valid. Another translation of catholic church is church universal Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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. Prayers of Intercession Each prayer petition will conclude: Pastor: Lord, in your mercy, Congregation: Hear our prayer. The offering is an act of worship. We give ourselves, our time and resources as a symbol of our love and appreciation for God s grace, and our investment in God s work through this church. Offering of Gifts Meal Offering Hymn: As Saints of Old Hymnal #695 NEW! Text-to-Give Simply send a text message to 651-419-3775 with the amount you would like to contribute (example: 25). Within a few minutes, you ll be sent a text with a link to register. We hope you enjoy this new way to share your generosity, and thank you for supporting the ministries of Easter Lutheran Church. 8 continued on next page
Presentation: Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow Hymnal #885 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye heav nly host; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Offering Prayer Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts; our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. The Great Thanksgiving Holy Communion, Setting Three 1978, 2006: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923. P: It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 9
Holy, Holy, Holy All are invited to receive these gifts of God. Children are welcome to come forward for a blessing. Children who have received instruction are welcome to commune. Communion today is by intinction - the dipping of the wafer in the wine. Please come to one of the stations, as directed. Gluten-free wafers are at the back of the sanctuary near the sound booth. Holy Communion, Setting Three 1978, 2006: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923. Words of Institution Lord s Prayer 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. Distribution Lamb of God 10 Augsburg Fortress, 1978, 2006: Richard W. Hillert
Thee We Adore, O Savior Hymnal #476 Faith of Our Fathers Hymnal #812 continued on next page 11
Faith of Our Fathers continued Prayer after Communion Blessing Sending Dismissal Postlude: Ein feste Burg - Luther, arr. Marpurg Ben Kornelis, organ Did you pick up your Announcements? The Announcements tell you what s going on at Easter in the coming weeks. They can be found at the doors to the sanctuary. Check it out! Visit easter.org for details Serving Today 8:30 10:00 Assisting Pastor: Kristen Capel Kristen Capel Acolytes: needed needed Greeters: Ron & Arliss Anderson needed Ushers: needed Steve Bunde Fred Tatting Wayne Johnson Readers: Robin Kieffer Sarah Wright Walstrom Communion set-up: Carole Hoeft Karla Kosel Communion: Lori Ford Karla Kosel Nursery: Bruce Gaard Ryan & Cathie Ford Brooke Gray Christy Newton Liturgist: Barb Tjader Barb Tjader Sound: Dave Montgomery Jared Dawson Live Streaming: n/a Brice Erickson Easter Lutheran Church Ministers: All the members of Easter Pastors: Kristen K. Capel, Brandon Newton, Rolf Jacobson, Steve Thomason 4200 Pilot Knob Road (Hill) Phone: 651-452-3680 4545 Pilot Knob Road (Lake) easter.org to grow in faith and carry on the work of Jesus Christ