SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST The Father s Treasured Possession June 17, 2017 5:00pm AS WE GATHER People all over our country today will be celebrating Father s Day as we give thanks for our earthly dads, grandfathers, and other men who are special to us. Every time we gather in the Lord s house for worship, our time together can also be seen as a Father s Day. As we are reminded in our Readings, God, our heavenly Father, has reconciled us to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. By our Father s grace, we are made His treasured possession. As those who receive His Word and are filled with His Spirit, He forms us into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We approach Him directly and confidently as children do their loving Father. May your time in our Father s house be blessed this day for this day is His day! WELCOME May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) HANDSHAKES & HUGS OPENING HYMN #605 1 PREPARATION Father Welcomes Refrain: Father welcomes all His children To His fam ly through His Son. Father giving His salvation, Life forever has been won. Little children, come to Me, For My kingdom is of these. Life and love I have to give, Mercy for your sin. Refrain In the water, in the Word, In His promise, be assured; Those who are baptized and believe Shall be born again. Refrain Let us daily die to sin; Let us daily rise with Him. Walk in the love of Christ our Lord, Live in the peace of God. Refrain INVOCATION Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION Pastor: God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. People: Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. Pastor: Let us join together and confess our sins to God our Father: People: Heavenly Father, even though you have called us to be your treasured possession, we have not always obeyed your voice, nor have we abided by our covenant with you. In our thoughts, words, and deeds, we have not behaved like the holy nation you created us to be. Through your unfailing love and tender mercy, remove our transgressions from us. Speak over us words of life that flow from the cross of your Son, Jesus Christ. Father, forgive us and restore us as your children. Amen. Pastor: All that the Lord has spoken, His Son has done. Jesus obedient life was lived for you so that, by His death and resurrection, you are now reconciled to the Father. Upon this your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, announce His grace to all of you and, in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive you all of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. HYMN OF PRAISE #550 Lamb of God Your only Son, no sin to hide, But You have sent Him from Your side To walk upon this guilty sod, And to become the Lamb of God. Refrain: O Lamb of God, sweet Lamb of God, I love the holy Lamb of God! O wash me in His precious blood, My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Your Gift of love they crucified, They laughed and scorned Him as He died: The humble King they named a fraud, And sacrificed the Lamb of God. Refrain 2
I was so lost, I should have died, But You have brought me to Your side To be led by Your staff and rod, And to be called a lamb of God. Refrain SALUTATION & PRAYER OF THE DAY Pastor: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Pastor: Let us pray. Father in heaven, you have brought us to yourself and made us your treasured possession through the saving work of our Savior. By the power of Your eternal Spirit, may we extend your saving Word into all the world; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. WORD OLD TESTAMENT READING Exodus 19:2 8 (The Lord calls His people His treasured possession. ) After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites." So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the LORD had commanded him to speak. The people all responded together, "We will do everything the LORD has said." So Moses brought their answer back to the LORD. EPISTLE Romans 5:6 15 (God shows His love for us through the death of His Son.) You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death 3 through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 9:35 10:20 (Jesus sends out His disciples to proclaim His kingdom.) Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. "Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. CHILDREN S MESSAGE 4
SERMON HYMN #721 Lead Me, Guide Me Refrain: Lead me, guide me, along the way; For if You lead me, I cannot stray. Lord, let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. I am weak and I need Thy strength and pow r To help me over my weakest hour. Help me through the darkness Thy face to see. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain Help me tread in the paths of righteousness, Be my aid when Satan and sin oppress. I am putting all my trust in Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain I am lost if You take Your hand from me, I am blind without Thy light to see. Lord, always let me Thy servant be. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Refrain SERMON "The Father of all Fathers" Ephesians 3:14-18 APOSTLES CREED (found on the inside back cover of the hymnal) OFFERING As your offering is collected, please sign our attendance book located at the end of the pew. If you are a visitor, please leave your address and phone. After you are finished, please pass the book along to others in your pew, and return the book to the center aisle. You may check the register to see the names of those to greet after the service. PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Pastor: Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. After each petition: Pastor: Let us pray to the Lord: People: Lord, have mercy. At the conclusion of the prayers: Pastor:... one God, now and forever. THE WORDS OF OUR LORD SACRAMENT THE PEACE OF THE LORD Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always. AGNUS DEI Page 210 O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, You take the sin of the world away; O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray. O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, You take the sin of the world away; Have mercy on us, Jesus Christ, And grant us peace, O Lord, we pray. DISTRIBUTION Those guests who desire to commune who are members of another LCMS congregation may do so; if you are coming from another church background, please see the pastor or an elder first. HYMN #637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord Draw near and take the body of the Lord, And drink the holy blood for you out-poured; Offered was He for greatest and for least, Himself the victim and himself the priest. He who His saints in this world rules and shields, To all believers life eternal yields; With heav nly bread He makes the hungry whole, Gives living waters to the thirsting soul. Come forward then with faithful hearts sincere, And take the pledges of salvation here. O Lord, our hearts with grateful thanks endow As in this feast of love You bless us now. THE LORD S PRAYER 5 6
HYMN #571 God Loved the World So That He Gave God loved the world so that He gave His only Son the lost to save, That all who would in Him believe Should everlasting life receive. Christ Jesus is the ground of faith, Who was made flesh and suffered death; All then who trust in Him alone Are built on this chief cornerstone. God would not have the sinner die; His Son with saving grace is nigh; His Spirit in the Word declares How we in Christ are heaven s heirs. Be of good cheer, for God s own Son Forgives all sins which you have done; And, justified by Jesus blood, Your Baptism grants the highest good. If you are sick, if death is near, This truth your troubled heart can cheer: Christ Jesus saves your soul from death; That is the firmest ground of faith. Glory to God the Father, Son, And Holy Spirit, Three in One! To You, O blessed Trinity, Be praise now and eternally! HYMN #617 O Lord, We Praise Thee O Lord we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee, In thanksgiving bow before Thee. Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish Our weak souls that they may flourish: O Lord, have mercy! May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary, That our sins and sorrows did carry, And Thy blood for us plead In all trial, fear, and need: O Lord, have mercy! Thy holy body into death was given, Life to win for us in heaven. No greater love than this to Thee could bind us; May this feast there-of remind us! O Lord, have mercy! Lord, Thy kindness did so constrain Thee That Thy blood should bless and sustain me. All our debt Thou hast paid; Peace with God once more is made: O Lord, have mercy! May God bestow on us His grace and favor That we follow Christ our Savior And live together here in love and union Nor despise this blest Communion! O Lord, have mercy! Let not Thy good Spirit forsake us; Grant that heav nly-minded He make us; Give Thy Church, Lord, to see Days of peace and unity: O Lord, have mercy! 7 COMMON DISMISSAL POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING Pastor: Let us pray. O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving kindness sent your only-begotten Son to reconcile us to you, we thank you that for His sake you have given us pardon and peace in this eucharistic feast. As we have shared in the benefits of our Savior s death, may we now go forth to share His life; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. BENEDICTION Pastor: Jesus said, The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. People: Lord, send us out to proclaim your kingdom in your harvest field. Amen! Pastor: The Lord does just that as He sends us out with His blessing. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. CLOSING HYMN #861 Christ Be My Leader Christ be my Leader by night as by day; Safe through the darkness, for He is the way. Gladly I follow, my future His care, Darkness is daylight when Jesus is there. Christ be my Teacher in age as in youth, Drifting or doubting, for He is the truth. Grant me to trust Him; though shifting as sand, Doubt cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand. Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife; Death cannot hold me, for He is the life. Nor darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain Can touch my salvation; with Jesus I reign. 8
Preacher Liturgist Lector Acolyte Organist Pastor Harold Bender Pastor Tim Prince Russell Hurst Aubrey Kadolph Michelle Prince Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Part 3. Copyright 2017 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.