Trinity Lutheran Church Contemporary Worship Service September 23, 2012 10:45 a.m. WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS CALL TO WORSHIP (Based on Psalm 1) Blessed are those who delight in God s law, who take time to ponder its meaning. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and whose leaves do not wither. But those who reject God s way are like parched and dried out earth in which nothing good grows. So let us worship and praise God as we seek to live nourished and shaped by God s righteousness. GATHERING SONG: Jesus Was Sent Ylvisaker Verse 1: Chorus: Verse 2: Verse 3: Jesus was sent to bring health to the ailing, Jesus was sent with good news for the poor. Jesus releases us all from our failing, Jesus increases our will to restore. Jesus was sent that our eyes may be open, So we might witness the day of the Lord. He will make sense of our loving and hoping; He will break fences and open the door. Jesus was sent to bring wholeness and healing, Jesus was sent to upset and annoy. Jesus releases from negative feeling, Jesus in creases our wonder and joy. Jesus was sent to bring life everlasting, Jesus was sent by the Spirit of God. Jesus releases us just for our asking, Jesus will free us and cover the Law. John Ylvisaker CCLI # 1330601 1
CONFESSIONS AND FORGIVENESS L) Lord Jesus Christ, there are times when we all feel like victims-pawns in the power plays which are so much a part of life these days. As usual, however, you look into our hearts and question what part we play in these power games. We know that in your eyes it is not social status, or wealth or reputation that count, and we confess how easily our lives can become enmeshed in such worldly values. You risked personal comfort and security when you reached out to those on the edge of your society, lepers and sinners-people whom others considered unclean. C) Forgive us when we fail to meet your challenge to identify with those whom society would call worthless. L) You showed us that the journey of discipleship is a journey into servanthood and powerlessness. C) Forgive us for being tempted to pursue power and to favor competition over compassion. L) You, Lord, saw the good in everyone and showed us exactly what it means to be the servant of all. C) While too often we see others as rivals in the race for success, influence and popularity, Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. ALL: Imprint these words on our hearts and put your living Spirit within us, we pray, so that we serve others and you with wisdom, understanding, love and compassion. ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS L) Out of that deep love for us, God sent Jesus into the world to save sinners-and to make all things new. And so I declare to you, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. C) Thanks be to God. PRAYER OF THE DAY God of all time and space, of all wisdom and knowledge, you could have remained far beyond our understanding yet you chose to reveal yourself in the person of Jesus, your Son. He widened the horizons of minds and hearts when he made your love and your wisdom known through his gentleness, compassion and humility. Accept our praise and adoration in response to all your gifts to us. Amen CHILDREN S TIME: Shivon Miller 2
SONG: Tell Me Why Barry Marciniak/Jerome Evavold 1) Tell me why the birds sing out their songs. Tell me why. Tell me why. Tell me why the sun comes up at dawn. Tell me why. Tell me why. Refrain: When I look at the heavens above and see all that you have done. Who am I to wonder why? Tell me why. Tell me why. 2) Tell me why the leaves die in the fall. Tell me why. Tell me why. Tell me why they come back at your call. Tell me why. Tell me why. Refrain 3) Tell me why the rain comes falling down. Tell me why. Tell me why. Tell me why the growth comes from the ground. Tell me why. Tell me why. Refrain 4) Tell me why you gather us around. Tell me why. Tell me why. Tell me why in your love we are found. Tell me why. Tell me why. Refrain----- Repeat the refrain. SCRIPTURE READINGS FIRST READING: Jeremiah 11:18-20 Today s reading tells of the suffering of the prophet Jeremiah, who announced God s word to Judah but was met with intense opposition and persecution. Jeremiah continues to trust in God in the midst of his suffering. 18 It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds. 19 But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered!" 20 But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. 3
PSALM: Psalm 54 1 Save me, O God, by your name; in your might, defend my cause. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life, those who have no regard for God. 4 Behold, God is my helper; it is the Lord who sustains my life. 5 Render evil to those who spy on me; in your faithfulness, destroy them. 6 I will offer you a freewill sacrifice and praise your name, O LORD, for it is good. 7 For you have rescued me from every trouble, and my eye looks down on my enemies. GOSPEL: Mark 9:30-37 Jesus' teaching and action in this text are directed to the church whenever it is seduced by the world's definition of greatness: prestige, power, influence, and money. The antidote to such a concern for greatness is servanthood. 30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me. SERMON - The Value of Questions Pastor Jerome Evavold SONG: What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine ELW #774 4
CONFESSION OF FAITH: The 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. OFFERING SONG: Do Justice Dakota Road Verse 1: Chorus: Verse 2: Verse 3: Racing around, chasing idols, unfulfilled, empty vessels. World on the edge, out of control, will we survive, God only knows. Do justice, love mercy, Walk humbly with our God, with our God. People broken, falling pieces, dignity lost, loving ceases. Hopeless eyes, lonely faces, yearning hearts, hurting places. (Chorus) Deadly hunger, desperate crying, wounded living, children dying. Nails in the flesh, piercing fear, why can t we see Christ hanging here? (Chorus) Larry Olson and Julie Hennies Clark CCLI# 1330601 OFFERING PRAYER: Gracious God, in your great wisdom you revealed your human face of love in Jesus and he gave further expression to your wisdom by putting no limits or conditions on his love. We show our gratitude by offering these gifts and our lives to be used to love and serve others as Jesus has loved and served us. This we pray in Jesus name. Amen 5
PRAYERS THE 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. BENEDICTION L) Go into the world, blessed with the wisdom and understanding of God, filled with the gentleness and compassion of Jesus Christ, empowered by the enthusiasm and passion of the Holy Spirit. C) Amen SENDING SONGS: To Live On Chorus: Dakota Road To live on in grace and wonder. To reach out and to love each other. To live on. To live on. To live on. Verse 1: Verse 2: We don t always know where we re going. We don t always know what to believe. But we stand inside this hope of freedom, Holding to the faith we have received. (Chorus) Some days we are in life s dark valleys. Some day we are on life s mountain tops. Ev rywhere we go in all creation, We walk in the promises of God. God who made us, claims and saves us, lead us in your love. (Chorus) CCLI# 1330601 L) Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C) Thanks be to God! 6
This week at Trinity... Sunday, September 23, 2012 8:45 a.m.-traditional Worship Service 9:45 a.m.- Coffee Fellowship 10:00 a.m.- Education Hour 10:45 a.m. - Worship Service 11:45 a.m. - Coffee Fellowship 5:30-9:30 p.m. - NAMI Monday, September 24, 2012 5:00 p.m. - AA 6:30 p.m. - Boy Scouts Tuesday, September 25, 2012 9 a.m. Quilters 1 p.m. - Trinity Travelers Farley s Restaurant 5:00-7:00 - FALL FEST DINNER 7:30 p.m. - NA Wednesday, September 26, 2012 6:00 p.m. - OASIS KICK-OFF 6:30 p.m. - Alive & Kickin Pizza and Planning Meeting Thursday, September 27, 2012 5:30 p.m. - In Stitches 7:00 p.m. - Pipes & Drums Friday, September 28, 2012 5:00 p.m.- Wedding Rehearsal 6:00 p.m. - AA Saturday, September 29, 2012 4:00 p.m. - Wedding Sunday, September 30, 2012 8:45 a.m.-traditional Worship Service 9:45 a.m.- Coffee Fellowship 10:00 a.m.- Education Hour 10:45 a.m. - Worship Service 11:45 a.m. - Coffee Fellowship 5:30-9:30 p.m. - NAMI Trinity Announcements WELCOME Welcome to Trinity We are happy that God led you to us today. We hope you feel at home here. You are surrounded by your brothers and sisters in Christ and the presence of God. If you are looking for a church home please talk to Pastor Evavold or Shivon before you leave today and sign the guest book in the Narthex or call 218-724-9369. We invite you to join us downstairs for coffee and fellowship following the service. You can find us on the internet at www:tlcduluth,org or on Facebook at trinity@tlcduluth.org. Keeping It Real WORSHIP Today's gospel begins with Jesus wanting to find a place for some private and disturbing teaching to his disciples (Mark 9:30-31). What the disciples learned that day were two extremely important lessons about who God is and who we are. They are lessons that never grow old and that can help us "keep it real" as we respond to life's moments. One of the main lessons Jesus tried to teach that day was that God's ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8). This was the second time Jesus tried to get the disciples to understand that though he was indeed the Messiah, he had to suffer and die at the hands of others. The disciples could not conceive of any version of the Christ (Greek for messiah) who had to suffer. Peter had already been strongly rebuked by Jesus for saying what the other disciples were probably thinking (Mark 8:32-33), so this time they all kept quiet (Mark 9:32). They failed to realize that God's infinite wisdom and understanding is far beyond anything our finite minds can fathom or imagine. For reasons that had to do with God's unfathomable love for us, a suffering Messiah is how God chose to show us that love. That's who God is. The other main lesson Jesus tried to teach that day was who we are. In response to the disciples arguing over which of them was the greatest, Jesus used one of the most poignant object lessons ever. Jesus brought a child into the room and said the child is as important and honored and welcomed as God is (Mark 9:36-37). In God's eyes, all of us are equally valuable. We are all God's children. Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2011 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress. 7
WITNESS Hannah Doug Carlson Jake Ulvi Barry Marciniak Rebecca Nelson Linda Ostrofsky Robin Jago We offer prayers of healing for Jessica Brochu and Oshan Lee. We offer prayers of protection for Duluth s 148th Fighter Wing in Time & Talent Volunteers - Today Sept. 23, 2012-10:45 am Greeter: Gundars, Theresa & Vilnis Stumbris Ushers: Jack & Joann Salmela Reader: Joann Salmela Coffee Hosts: Kerttulas Time & Talent Volunteers: September 30, 2012-10:45 am Greeters: Bill & Maureen Ulvi Ushers: Gene & Sandy Keyser Reader: Fred Sowl Coffee Hosts: Brenda Bonnema & Ann Clark TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH FALL FEST September 25, 2012 Upcoming Events to put on your calendar: Trinity Lutheran Church September 25th - 1 p.m. Trinity Travelers Farley s Family Restaurant - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. TRINITY FALL FEST 1108 East 8th Street Fall Fest Dinner Tuesday, September 25, 2012 5-7 pm Serving and Take-Out Available September 26th - 6 p.m. Oasis Kick-Off Grilled brats & kraut, potato salad, chips & apple crisp - $9.00 a ticket 6:30 p.m. Alive & Kickin Pizza & Planning Mtg. Grilled hot dogs, chips, carrots & apple crisp - $6.00 a ticket October 7th - Catch-Up Sunday October 13th - WELCA Lake Superior Conference Fall Gathering Augsburg Centennial Singers, (Men of Faith Passing on the Faith Through Songs of Praise ) with Al Reesnes, Director, will be performing at First Lutheran Church, 1100 Superior Street, Duluth, MN on Friday, Sept. 28th at 7:30 p.m. There will be a free-will offering and the community is welcome. Lake Superior Sounds, an Organ Weekend in Duluth - Martin Jean, concert organist in recital Saturday, October 20th, 10:00 a.m. and Sunday Oct. 21st 4:00 p.m. $10 adults, $5 students and senior. First Lutheran Church 1100 E. Superior This fall we celebrate Trinity Deeply Rooted Branching Out. Trinity has deep roots. At this Fall Fest meal we will celebrate those who have kept this congregation rooted through many seasons. As part of our commitment to branch out and invite others, we encourage everyone to think of a neighbor, work college or friend to invite. Complementary tickets to be shared will be available on request as an incentive to invite others. This event is sponsored by the Witness Within Team as a ministry outreach event and fundraiser for the general budget. Tickets available Sundays in the Narthex and through the office. Limited tickets will be available at the door. 8