Sweet Surrender LENTEN MIDWEEK 4 March 22, 2017 ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH 700 Main St. P.O. Box 220 Clyman, WI 53016 920-696-3495 www.zionclyman.org Rev. Michael Schempf Cell 920-342-1578 Home 920-262-9582 mschempf@gmail.com Office Hours: Tuesday 10 am-noon, Wednesday noon-3 pm or by appointment Mrs. Dee Dee Wille, Organist Ralph Kohlhoff Acting Elder Lent Bulletin Announcement email: Zionclyman@gmail.com Congregation information: Dan Chaveriat dchaveriat@yahoo.com 1
Theme of the Day: Like Job, we have three choices when something catastrophic happens. We can let it destroy us. We can let it define us. Or we can let it develop us. Today we learn how suffering can develop us and it all begins with one act surrender. HYMN Christ, the Life of All the Living 420 (stanzas 1-3) CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION P: Gracious and most merciful Father, C: In the light of your holiness we see ourselves as we really are. P: And we are ashamed. C: We confess that we have impure thought and unclean lips. P: We think too highly of ourselves and too little of others. C: We cling so tightly to the treasures of this world, P: That we cannot open our hands to receive blessings from above. C: Our feet follow the paths of sin. P: We wander so far astray that we become strangers to righteousness. C: Forgive us, and set us again on the path that leads to life. P: Deal with us not as we deserve, but according to your mercy, C: Not because we are worthy but because you are gracious. P: While it is true that we have sinned, it is a greater truth that through God s love in Jesus Christ we are forgiven. God has shown his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross and by his wounds we are healed. I 2
declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. C: I know that my Redeemer lives! HYMN Christ, the Life of All the Living 420 stanzas (6, 7) PRAYER OF THE DAY P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. Gracious God, when life seems cruel and the going gets real rough, empower us to surrender to your loving will, even as we say, Blessed be the name of the LORD; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. TODAY S SCRIPTURE LESSONS REFLECT THE THEME OF SURRENDERING TO GOD S WILL OLD TESTAMENT READING JOB 1:13-22 EPISTLE READING 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9 GOSPEL LUKE 9:51-62 APOSTLES CREED SERMON NOTES The Second Part in the Series Job: Blessed be the Name of the Lord Sweet Surrender (Job 1:13 22) Suffering can 3
D me D me D me At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: Naked I came from my mother s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. (Job 1:20 21) 1. Surrender through. Yahweh (LORD) is related to the Hebrew word for. Yahweh appears over times in the Old Testament. Yahweh, Yahweh only appears in Exodus 34:6. 2. Surrender through. El Shaddai = God This name appears times in Job It appears more times in the Old Testament 3. Surrender in. Eloah = This name appears times in Job 4
It appears more times in the Old Testament Offering HYMN How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds 524 PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH P: O God, when you allow suffering and pain instead of sunshine and gladness we will still believe and live by your Holy Word. C: When we feel loss empower us to still bless your holy name. P: For it is the weak and humble who receive your love; C: Who are pardoned and healed, P: Who are enlightened and strengthened. C: And so we will find joy in suffering P: And pray for your will to be done. Father, we surrender to our present circumstances that we can t control; C: Because we have your names P: Yahweh, El Shaddai and Eloah. C: We have your name Jesus ALL: The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD. Amen. LORD S PRAYER Benediction (Based upon Job 1:21) [This is the benediction for all of the services in the series] L: The LORD gives. C: And the LORD takes away. L: Blessed be the name of the LORD. C: Yes, blessed be the name of the LORD! L: And so we go forth confidently in the name of our LORD. C: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 5
ALL: Amen. HYMN Children of the Heavenly Father 725 Silent Prayer: Lord Jesus, I surrender to your will for my life as I bless your holy name! Amen. The new quarterly portals of prayer are available for you at either of the exits. Pick one up! Wednesday March 29 th we have enough people to have a soup supper before church starts. If we could have any volunteers to take April 5 th that would be great. The March Lutheran Witness is on the table in the narthex if you re interested in some good reading material. 6
The sign-up sheet for Bread & Roses donations is on the table in the narthex. If anyone wants to volunteer and needs a ride let us know. You are invited to Christina Schempf s senior music recital at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL on Saturday, March 25 th at 2:00pm. The hour long recital in Pierce Chapel will be followed by a light luncheon. Please contact Pastor or Karen Schempf (920 342-1579) for more details and if you are interested in carpooling. There s sign-up sheets in the narthex for the Easter Breakfast for helpers and/or donation of food. 7
March 24 & 25 th Youth Retreat Lock In @ St. Peter s Lebanon more information taped on doors as you entered in. Also permission slips are lying on the table in the narthex. March 30 th Bread & Roses @ Immanuel in Watertown from 4pm to 7pm April 3 rd Elder s Meeting @ 6:30pm April 4 th Council Meeting @ 6:30pm April 7 th Spring Fundraiser for The Gathering Source starting @ 4:30pm with dinner @ 6:30pm April 13 th Maundy Thursday 7pm April 14 th Good Friday 1:30pm & 7pm April 16 th Easter Services 6:30am and 9:30am with breakfast in between services May 21 st - Confirmation March grapevines are ready to be picked up they are on the table in the narthex 8