Seek First the Kingdom Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 9:30 am Sanctuary 2021 W. State Road 426 Oviedo, FL 32765 sllcs.org 407.365.3408 9:30 am
In Preparation for the Lord s Supper The Bible tells us (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) that it is vitally important that we understand and believe that the Lord s Supper is a participation in the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. To receive the blessings of this Sacrament to our benefit it is necessary that we examine our hearts and our lives. Please read and prayerfully consider the following: I believe that I am sinful by nature and in need of forgiveness. I confess that I have sinned in my thoughts, words, and deeds. I believe I am forgiven only through faith in Jesus Christ. I confess that in, with, and under the bread and wine I receive the very Body and Blood of Jesus. I promise by the power of the Holy Spirit to amend my sinful life and strive to live a God-pleasing life. As members of Jesus family, we have a responsibility to teach and encourage one another so that we receive the blessing intended for us in this Sacrament. Out of sincere love, we respectfully ask that those who have not been instructed and confirmed in the Lutheran Church please speak with a pastor before attending the Lord s Supper. St. Luke s offers Explorations an adult information class for those high school age and above desiring to be confirmed. Children are confirmed at the end of their eighth grade year after completing instruction. We are happy to meet with you and discuss any special circumstances or needs you may have. Communion Procedure Note: Anyone who cannot come to the communion rail may receive the Lord s Supper in the pew. Simply let a pastor or usher know your request and sit in one of the front rows. Those who are not communing are invited to come forward for a blessing (please cross your arms across your chest to indicate your desire for a blessing). 2 9:30 am
As We Gather: Third Sunday of Easter April 15, 2018 Connecting to Christ - Starting Over Series - Part 3 New Actions How much do we need? We live in a unique moment in history when the vast majority of us have more than enough. It is a unique human tendency to redefine our wants as our needs and then imagine that we cannot live without them. The call of following Jesus does not mandate living in poverty. However, it does call for a very close watch on what we imagine is necessary for our happiness and security. Jesus offers His followers a solution always and continuously seek first the Kingdom and His righteousness. In other words, keep your eyes on Jesus and God s plan for this world namely, to forgive all for Jesus sake and to make all things new when He comes again in glory. Pre Service Music Chancel Ringers Welcome Ringing of the Bell 9:30 am 3
Opening Hymn: Blessed Assurance 1. Blessed assurance Jesus is mine O what a foretaste of glory divine Heir of salvation purchase of God Born of His Spirit washed in His blood Chorus: This is my story this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long This is my story this is my song Praising my Savior all the day long 2. Perfect submission perfect delight Visions of rapture now burst on my sight Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy whispers of love Chorus: 3. Perfect submission all is at rest I in my Savior am happy and blest Watching and waiting looking above Filled with His goodness lost in His love Chorus (2x s): 4 9:30 am
Invocation: God Grants Us The Gift Of Forgiveness P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. (Matthew 28:19b; 18:20) Confession: P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence for reflection on God s Word and for self-examination. P: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. 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. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. 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. Absolution 9:30 am 5
Hymn of Praise: This Is the Feast 6 9:30 am
Prayer of the Day: P: O God, we are surrounded by material objects that promise to give our lives greater meaning. You have us taught us that our lives are meant to honor You and serve our neighbor. Help us to look beyond the empty promises of this world, and instead find contentment in building up Your kingdom in our community; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. C: Amen. God Speaks To Us From His Word First Reading: Acts 3:11-21 (ESV) 11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's. 12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name by faith in his name has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. 9:30 am 7
Holy Gospel: Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV) P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the sixth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord! 25 Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ! 8 9:30 am
Hymn of the Day: You Are My All in All 1. You are my strength When I am weak You are the treasure That I seek You are my all in all Seeking You as a precious jew'l Lord to give up I'd be a fool You are my all in all Chorus: Jesus Lamb of God Worthy is Your name Jesus Lamb of God Worthy is Your name 2. Taking my sin My cross my shame Rising again I bless Your name You are my all in all When I fall down You pick me up When I am dry You fill my cup You are my all in all Chorus: 9:30 am 9
Sermon Affirmation of Faith: The 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 of the world to come. Amen. God Receives Our Offerings And Prayers Gathering of the Offerings Musical Offering Church Choir Prayer of the Church give.sllcs.org 10 9:30 am
God Gives Us A Foretaste Of The Feast To Come We are celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion which we believe to be a great gift from our loving God. Please read In Preparation for the Lord s Supper on page 2. Preface: 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, 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 laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing: Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy): (Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9) 9:30 am 11
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. Words of Institution Peace of the Lord: P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. Agnus Dei (Lamb of God): (John 1:29) Distribution 12 9:30 am
Hymn: Seek Ye First LSB 712 9:30 am 13
Hymn: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing LSB 686 14 9:30 am
Hymn: The Strife is O er LSB 464 9:30 am 15
Post Communion Canticle: Thank the Lord (Luke 2:29-32) Prayer of Thanksgiving Benediction: God Blesses Us And Sends Us Out P: 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. (Numbers 6:24-26) C: Amen. 16 9:30 am
Closing Hymn: Alleluia! Jesus is Risen LSB 474:1, 4, 5 Silent Prayer YOUR PRAYER PARTNERS Prayer Partners are available near the front sides of the sanctuary. If you have an expression of joy, a concern or other prayer need, they would welcome the opportunity to pray with you. 9:30 am 17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Portions of liturgy taken from Lutheran Service Book Copyright 2006, Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Portions of Liturgy taken from Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish Series A Copyright 2014, Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. Blessed Assurance CCLI Song # 22324 Fanny Jane Crosby Phoebe Palmer Knapp Words: Public Domain Music: Public Domain For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1352627 You Are My All in All CCLI Song # 825356 Dennis Jernigan 1991 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc. (Admin. by PraiseCharts Publishing, Inc.) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 1352627 Seek Ye First Text (sts. 1 3) and Music: 1972 Maranatha! Music Used by permission.; admin. Music Services (ASCAP) Used by permission. C.C.L.I. # 1352627 Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License.NET, no. 100010620. 18 9:30 am
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