CONCORDIA S PURPOSE To Make the Love of Jesus R.E.A.L. in the Lives of All People 1 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST AS WE GATHER September 1, 2013 8:15 and 10:45 a.m. (Prepared by Jim Gann) I will never leave you, nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5b ESV Being weak and insecure, we often view the future with apprehension and yes, even foreboding. In the months ahead there will be many anxious hours, even days, agonizing over finances, health and perhaps even death. But, we take great comfort knowing that in our deepest, darkest moments, we can put our hand into God s loving outstretched hand and go forward boldly. We can depend on His promise to be with us at all times, and to hear us when we pray to Him with that lump in our throats and tears in our eyes. means to be seated means to stand, unless repeated standing is difficult CALL TO WORSHIP RINGING OF THE BELLS OPENING HYMN #829, v. 1, 2, 3 Christ the Eternal Lord
+ DIVINE SERVICE SETTING FOUR + 2 INVOCATION, CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION P: In the name of the Father and the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Our help is in the name of the Lord. C: who made heaven and earth. P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? C: But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared. P: Since we are gathered to hear God s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Silence for personal confession C: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen. P: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
KYRIE 3 HYMN OF PRAISE Gloria in Excelsis
COLLECT OF THE DAY P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. ALL: O Lord of grace and mercy, teach us by Your Holy Spirit to follow the example of Your Son in true humility, that we may withstand the temptations of the devil and with pure hearts and minds avoid ungodly pride; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 4 OLD TESTAMENT READING Proverbs 25:2-10 (Do not put yourself forward.) R: The Old Testament reading is from Proverbs, chapter twenty-five. (After the reading ) R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. EPISTLE READING Hebrews 13:1-17 (Sacrifices Pleasing to God) R: Epistle reading is from Hebrews, chapter thirteen. (After the reading ) R: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God!
ALLELUIA VERSE 5 HOLY GOSPEL Luke 14:1-14 (Jesus teaches in profound parables.) P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the fourteenth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. (After the reading ) P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ NICENE CREED All: 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. We invite the children forward as we sing: L.U.Y.H. #13, v. 1 & 2 God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He s so good to me. He cares for me, He cares for me, He cares for me, He s so good to me. CHILDREN S TALK SERMON HYMN #645, v. 1, 4, 5 Built on the Rock 6
SERMON Text: Hebrews 13:8 Title: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same 7 TITHES, PLEDGES, AND OFFERINGS PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH P: With lives redeemed by Christ and in His love let us entrust to Him our prayers. Gracious God, send Your Holy Spirit on Your whole Church on earth to make her a dwelling of welcome to the poor and the humble. May He transform our Sunday assemblies to be reunions of celebration in brotherly love. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Send Your Holy Spirit on each of us. Forgive us when we assert ourselves unjustly. Convict us when we seek places of honor. Give us the faith and humility to offer up sacrifices of praise to You. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Send Your Holy Spirit on all church leaders, all pastors, and servants of Your Church. Help us to be of aid and encouragement to them that they may extend the blessings of Your kingdom to all. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Guard and guide all elected officials in our land, that they may perform their duties faithfully and promote policies to preserve
peace, that Your Church may care for the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: Hear our prayers for all who are in any need, especially for those who are sick or injured, [including ]. Give them faith and hope in Your everlasting grace and grant them healing and strength. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. 8 [Additional prayers may be offered here.] P: You are, Lord our God, Father of orphans and friend of the poor. To those who weep, pour out the wine of joy; to those who hunger, give the bread of love. All glory and praise to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. + SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT + (Hymnal, p. 208) 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. PROPER PREFACE
SANCTUS 9 THE WORDS OF OUR LORD PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST P: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 LORD'S PRAYER P: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray: 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.
PAX DOMINI P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen. 10 AGNUS DEI COMMUNION INVITATION Baptized persons instructed regarding this Holy Meal, who sincerely repent of their sinful nature and sinful behavior, and wish to experience once again the forgiveness of God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and truly believe that Jesus Christ is present in, with, and under the elements of Holy Communion, and are prepared to submit their lives and will to Jesus Christ as Savior are invited to come forward to receive Holy Communion. Children and others who have not yet been instructed may come forward to receive a blessing.
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS #722 Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me #623 Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray #636 Soul, Adorn yourself with Gladness 11 NUNC DIMITTIS POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING P: Let us pray. We give thanks to You, almighty God, that You have refreshed us through this salutary gift, and we implore You
that of Your mercy You would strengthen us through the same in faith toward You and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. 12 BENEDICTION P: The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and + give you peace. C: Amen. CLOSING HYMN #738 Lord of All Hopefulness ANNOUNCEMENTS (p. 14) VERSE OF THE MONTH Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (Hebrews 13: 7-8) MISSION HYMN (sung together) Lift high the Cross, the Love of Christ proclaim till all the world adore his sacred name. POSTLUDE
ANNOUNCEMENTS 13 BE OUR GUEST BREAKFAST TODAY following the 10:45 service. By popular demand we are serving coffee in the narthex between services. If you d like a cup while you chat or as you head off to Sunday school, please help yourself. HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY LABOR DAY! This week: Wednesday, Choir Practice, 7:00 p.m. Thursday LWML Meeting, 7:00 p.m. We still need Sunday School teachers, aides, and subs! Please see Pastor Emil or Charlie Myers if you can help in any way. Sunday School starts Sept. 1! WORK DAY- Sept. 5, 9:00am 3:00 pm sorting yard sale items & cleaning CCDC items. See Cheryl Fertitta or sign up in the narthex. NEW MEMBER CLASSES will be offered at two separate times for ten weeks, beginning Thursday, September 5 at 10am in the Luther Room, and Sunday September 8 at 9:30 in the sanctuary. If you or anyone you know are interested in finding out more about the Christian faith, and what we believe at Concordia, please join us! The "Pennsylvania Bible Study" Group will meet for the first time of the new academic year at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, at the Fosters' home. We will resume our study of "The Fruit of the Spirit" at Lesson 6, "Goodness." The West Virginia Bible Study Group will meet at 7:00 pm on Monday, September 9th at the Tichnell s home. We will begin a six
session study Surprised by Hope... Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. Study materials will be provided in advance of the beginning of class. The "Maryland Bible Study" Group will meet for the first time of the new academic year at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 16, at the Shives' home. We will begin our study using the Lutheran Hour Ministries' Bible study, "Death... then what?" Study materials will be sent to everyone during the week of September 9. Beginning September 15th, Parish Nurse Lori Penrod, will be available in the Library to take blood pressures of anyone over the age of 18. This service will be provided once a month from 9:30 am to 10:15 am. Social Ministry is looking for volunteers to occasionally provide transportation to church or a doctor visit for CLC members when family or friends are unable to do so. If anyone is interested in serving our Church Family in this way, please contact Jean Tichnell @ jeantich@comcast.net or at 304-274-0025. Thank you. Our Mission of the Month for September is Hispanic Ministry. We will take a special free will offering after worship on September 29 over and above our normal giving. More info later. Please be careful when checking your mailboxes. We added 7 new mailboxes for new members and it is likely your mailbox is not in the location it was last week! Mark your calendars: Vicar Joel Fridgen s Ordination is currently scheduled for November 10 at 4:00pm. 14