Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Seventh Sunday After Epiphany February 24, 2019 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Introduction to the Day Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided. Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-giving Spirit. It is a reflection of the glory of God revealed in the Christ.
Welcome to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church! If you are a visitor, please know that the restrooms are out the door in the back of the right side of the worship space, up the ramp to the left, across that room, and down the hall to the offices on the right side before you get to the offices. If you need the nursery, go out the door in the back of the right side of the worship space, down the steps to the right, and through the door at the bottom of the steps to your right. It has a sign on it. There is a changing table and a rocker available there. The nursery is not staffed. Communion Statement The belief of this congregation is that participation in the Lord s Supper is the reception of the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ himself for us to eat and drink (Luther s Small Catechism, ELW p. 1166). We believe that a person who has faith in these words, given for you and shed for you for the forgiveness of sin, is really worthy and well prepared. However, a person who does not believe these words or doubts them is unworthy and unprepared, beca-use the words for you require truly believing hearts (Luther s Small Catechism, ELW p. 1166). Prayers for before worship and before receiving communion can be found on page 72 in the front of Evangelical Lutheran Worship. At this service, communion is distributed at the foot of the chancel steps. You will be given a piece of bread to eat, then you will be given a small cup filled with wine to drink. When you are done with the small cup, please put it in the tray held by the next person you see, which will either be empty or have other empty small cups in it. Prayers for after receiving communion and after worship can be found on pages 72 and 73 in the front of Evangelical Lutheran Worship. May the Spirit bless our time of worship. 2
Please stand. GATHERING PRELUDE: Madrigale Simonetti/Calkins CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Most merciful God, 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. In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 3
GATHERING SONG: Oh, Praise the Gracious Power (ELW 651) 1 Oh, praise the gracious pow'r that tumbles walls of fear and gathers in one house of faith all strangers far and near: Refrain We praise you, Christ! Your cross has made us one! 2 Oh, praise persistent truth that opens fisted minds and eases from their anxious clutch the prejudice that blinds: Refrain 3 Oh, praise inclusive love, encircling ev'ry race, oblivious to gender, wealth, to social rank or place: Refrain 4 Oh, praise the word of faith that claims us as God's own, a living temple built on Christ, our rock and cornerstone: Refrain 5 Oh, praise the tide of grace that laps at ev'ry shore with visions of a world at peace, no longer bled by war: Refrain 6 Oh, praise the pow'r, the truth, the love, the word, the tide. Yet more than these, oh, praise their source, praise Christ the crucified: Refrain 7 Oh, praise the living Christ with faith's bright songful voice! Announce the gospel to the world and with these words rejoice: Refrain 4
GREETING 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. CANTICLE OF PRAISE 5
The Lord be with you. And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury, pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Please be seated. WORD (8:00) CHERUB CHOIR: The Great Commandments by Pauline Palmer Meek (10:30) CHOIR ANTHEM: Prayer For Peace Benjamin Harlan CHILDREN'S MESSAGE FIRST READING: Genesis 45:3-11, 15 Many years after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph reveals himself to them. Now the second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph reassures his brothers that God has used their evil intentions for good, to preserve life during a devastating famine, and Joseph forgives them. A reading from Genesis. 3 Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph. Is my father still alive? But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, Come closer to me. And they came closer. He said, I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, 6
because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. 10 You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 I will provide for you there since there are five more years of famine to come so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM 37:1-11, 39-40 1 Do not be provoked by evildoers; do not be jealous of those who do wrong. 2 For they shall soon wither like the grass, and like the green grass fade away. 3 Put your trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and find safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the LORD, who shall give you your heart s desire. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; put your trust in the LORD, and see what God will do. 6 The LORD will make your vindication as clear as the light and the justice of your case like the noonday sun. 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently. Do not be provoked by the one who prospers, the one who succeeds in evil schemes. 7
8 Refrain from anger, leave rage alone; do not be provoked; it leads only to evil. 9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD shall possess the land. 10 In a little while the wicked shall be no more; even if you search out their place, they will not be there. 11 But the lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace. 39 But the deliverance of the righteous comes from you, O LORD; you are their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 You, O LORD, will help them and rescue them; you will rescue them from the wicked and deliver them, because in you they seek refuge. SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 In the Apostles Creed, we speak of the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Using the metaphor of a planted seed and the story of Adam, Paul preaches passionately about the mystery of following Christ s perfect life into eternity. A reading from 1 Corinthians. 35 But someone will ask, How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come? 36 Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, The first man, Adam, became a living being ; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from 8
the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Please stand for the gospel. GOSPEL: Luke 6:27-38 Jesus continues to address a crowd of his disciples. He invites his followers to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even to enemies and outsiders. Living in harmony with God s intent brings the reward of overflowing blessing. The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus said:] 27 But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will 9
be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. Please be seated. Please stand. SERMON HYMN OF THE DAY: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (ELW 631) 1 Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav'n, to earth come down! Fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown. Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation, enter ev'ry trembling heart. 2 Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit into ev'ry troubled breast; let us all in thee inherit; let us find thy promised rest. Take away the love of sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty. 10
3 Come, Almighty, to deliver; let us all thy life receive; suddenly return, and never, nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray, and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love. 4 Finish then thy new creation, pure and spotless let us be; let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee! Changed from glory into glory, till in heav'n we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise! 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 11
Each petition ends: Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. The prayer concludes: Receive our prayers and fill us with the radiance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ s peace, and may say, Peace be with you, or similar words. Please be seated. ANNOUNCEMENTS MEAL OFFERTORY: Elegy Gounod/Scott Please stand as the offering is brought forward. OFFERING HYMN: Light Shone in Darkness (ELW 307) 1 Light shone in darkness at the world's creation, bathing in beauty nature's revelation. All that has being, cry in adoration, "Praise for the light. Amen!" 2 Light shone in darkness at the new creation; Christ rose in glory, won for us salvation. Sing, earth and heaven, hymns of jubilation, praise for the light. Amen! 12
3 Light shines in darkness till the full creation; Christ's body, groaning, suffers tribulation, longs for God's justice, global transformation, prays for the light. Amen! OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen. 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. Please be seated. 13
COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION COMMUNION SONG DISTRIBUTION HYMN: Here Is Bread (ELW 483) 1. Here is bread, here is wine, Christ is with us, he is with us. Break the bread, taste the wine, Christ is with us here. Refrain In this bread there is healing, in this cup is life forever. In this moment, by the Spirit, Christ is with us here. 2. Here is grace, here is peace, Christ is with us, he is with us. Know his grace, find his peace, Feast on Jesus here. Refrain 14
3. Here we are, joined in one, Christ is with us, he is with us. We ll proclaim until he comes Jesus Crucified. Refrain Please stand. SONG AFTER COMMUNION: Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise (ELW 204) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray. O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son. By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SENDING BLESSING Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. Amen. 15
SENDING SONG: O Christ, Our Hope (ELW 604) 1 O Christ, our hope, our hearts' desire, creation's mighty Lord, redeemer of the fallen world, by holy love outpoured, by holy love outpoured: 2 How vast your mercy to accept the burden of our sin, and bow your head in cruel death to make us clean within, to make us clean within. 3 But now the bonds of death are burst, the ransom has been paid; you reign above at God's right hand, in robes of light arrayed, in robes of light arrayed. 4 Oh, let your mighty love prevail to purge us of our pride, that we may stand before your throne by mercy purified, by mercy purified. 5 All praise to you, ascended Lord; all glory ever be to Father, Son, and Spirit blest through all eternity, through all eternity! VISION STATEMENT From generation to generation, we live as friends following Jesus. 16
DISMISSAL Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE: Trumpet Air Purcell/Smith Material in this bulletin is reprinted under One License #729344-A, Augsburg Fortress License #SAS007009, and CCLI #1956468. From sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. O Praise the Gracious Power Text: Thomas H. Troeger, b. 1945 Text from New Hymns for the Lectionary 1984 Oxford University Press, Inc. We Know that Christ Is Raised Text: John B. Geyer, b. 1932 Text John B. Geyer Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise Text: John W. Arthur, 1922-1980 Music Richard W. Hillert, b.1923 Text and music 1978, 1995 Augsburg Fortress O Christ, Our Hope Text: Latin hymn, c. 8th cent.; tr. John Chandler, 1806-1876, adapt. Love divine, All Loves Excelling Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 Light Shone in Darkness Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939 Text 2001, 2003 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission Here is Bread Text: Graham Kendrick, b.1950 Music: Graham Kendrick Text and Music 1991 Make Way Music, admin. By Music Services in the Western Hemisphere Attendance/Offering February 16-17 th (214) General Fund Offering received $5,915.00 Midweek General Fund received $1,500.00 Weekly budgeted amount $7,480.77 Total General Fund amount received $7,415.00 The center vase is given by Carol Steuk in memory of Marjorie Owings. A Special Congregational Meeting will be held today, Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 9:15 in the church sanctuary. The purpose of this meeting is to give you an update of the Capital Campaign and to discuss screens in the Worship space. 17
Worship leaders today are: Presiding Minister: Rev. Dr. Eric L. Bodenstab Assisting Minister: Deacon Carolyn Steinfeldt Acolyte: (8:00) Emily Terry Crucifer: Organist: Cathy Nye Senior Choir Director: Ron Albert Cherub Choir Directors: Jenn Long & Tricia Stradtman Lector: (8:00) Addison Stradtman (10:30) Alaina Keegan Prayers of the People: Marj Burton Children s Message: Dale Cerny Serving Bread: Carolyn Steinfeldt, ELCA Deacon Communion Assistants: (8:00) Kris Stradtman and Randy Koch (10:30) Suzanne Jeffrey and Carla Mitchell Sound Board: (8:00) Janet Stradtman (10:30) John Nejedly Ushers: (8:00) Darlene Lowery, Tom Wieber, John Chapman, Janet Stradtman, Sharon Lavey, and Dawn McKillips (10:30) Gary Gangluff, Earl & Bea Rosen, Julie Kessler, and Elaine Conley Gathering Hosts: (8:00) Darlene Lowery (10:30) Dean & Karen Slater Greeters: Joanne Hosey Altar Guild: Tami Schultz NEXT WEEK S READINGS Exodus 34:29-35, Psalm 99, 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2, Luke 9:28-36 [37-43a] DEADLINES TO REMEMBER: Weekly Bulletin Announcements: Tuesday by Noon. CARE & SHARE VOLUNTEERS FOR MONDAY, March 4th: Jeannie Johnson, Bruce Bravard, Dean Meyers, Alan Mitchell 18
Lenten meals (supper on Tues. & lunch on Wed.), will begin on Tuesday, March 12. If you would like to provide a meal for one of these dates, it would be greatly appreciated. Usually meals consist of soup / sandwich / and dessert. Carla and Vicki will take March 12 & 13. Other dates to be filled are March 19 & 20; March 26 & 27; April 2 & 3, and April 9 & 10. The average attendance for supper is 35 to 40. Lunch average attendance is 15. You choose your menu. It works great to have two or three work together for meal preparation. Carla will be glad to assist, and is usually there. All you have to do is prepare the food. Please, call Carla at 419-621-7473, if you or your group would like to cook a meal or have questions. This is a wonderful way of providing hospitality and a time of fun fellowship! Thank you, in advance for your help! SANDUSKY LIONS CLUB PANCAKE DINNER Fat Tuesday, March 5 th from 5-7 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Tickets are $6.00 (ages 5 and under are free with paying adult) and can be purchased from a Lions Club member or at the door. The ticket is for all you can eat pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs. Orange juice and coffee will also be provided. 50% of net proceeds will be donated to the purchasing of a wheelchair for local special needs resident, Jimmy Meade. In addition to the pancake dinner, there will also be a bake sale to help raise funds for the wheelchair. Donate your old eyeglass frames to Lions Club International. Volunteers collect old eyeglasses, and reading glasses. They clean and repair the used eyewear, which is then distributed to people who can't afford to buy their own. Drop off your used glasses in the designated box in the Gathering Room. 19
To view the full calendar of events and the current weekly announcements please visit our website at Zionsandusky.org Sunday, February 24 8:00/10:30 am Worship 9:15 am Children of Zion of all ages 9:15 am Congregational Meeting 6:00 pm Open Game Night Monday, February 25 5:30 pm Temple Caretakers 6:30 pm Quilters 7:00 pm Firelands Chorus 7:00 pm Troop 8 Scouts 7:30 pm Dartball at Faith Memorial Tuesday, February 26 9:00 am Quilters 12:00 pm Year of Scripture Study with Pastor Eric-Mr. Smith s 1:00 pm Lectionary Study - Mr. Smith s Coffee House 7:00 pm Year of Scripture Study with Elaine Wednesday, February 27 7:30 am Lectionary Study 9:30 am Staff Meeting 12:00 pm Shared Ministry Board Mtg. at St. John s Sheid Rd. 2:00 pm Music & Worship Planning 2:30 pm Book Connection 6:00 pm Property & Facilities Mtg 6:00 pm Agape Thursday, February 28 9:00 am Card Making 9:30 am Year of Scripture with Marj 1:00 pm 2019 Lakeside Planning- Down Thyme Café, Fremont 5:30 pm Cherub Choir 6:00 pm Year of Scripture with Carolyn 6:15 pm Bell Choir 7:00 pm Senior Choir Friday, March 1 Church Office is Closed Saturday, March 2 6:00 pm Worship Pastor, Rev. Dr. Eric. L. Bodenstab Deacon Carolyn Steinfeldt 503 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870 (419) 625-2112 zionelc@zionsandusky.org www.zionsandusky.org Firelands Lutherans Active in Mission (FLAMe) Our 10:30 a.m. service is broadcast each Sunday over WLEC 1450 AM 20