From Foe to Friend by God s Grace Alone 3rd Sunday of Easter Relay for Life American Cancer Society April 9 &10, 2016
Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage 573-459-6432 Church 573-459-6431 Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheran@hotmail.com ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com AS WE GATHER: Jesus may walk on water, but He was treading on thin ice by telling seasoned fishermen where to fish. The miracle of their catch of 153 large fish was designed to help His disciples trust in Him when our Lord would redirect their vocation. Peter was transformed from a fisherman into a shepherd, whom the Lord called to feed, guard, and keep the flock for whom Jesus died. Saul is transformed from persecutor of the Church to apostle to the Gentiles. God turns His foes into friends by His grace alone. And the rescue of Christ always leads to a new vocation for the pastors who shepherd the flock to the baptized people who serve Him with their worship, witness, and works of love and mercy. PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Jesus may walk on water, but He was treading on thin ice by telling seasoned fishermen where to fish. The miracle of their catch of 153 large fish was designed to help His disciples trust in Him when our Lord would redirect their vocation. Peter was transformed from a fisherman into a shepherd, whom the Lord called to feed, guard, and keep the flock for whom Jesus died. Saul is transformed from persecutor of the Church to apostle to the Gentiles. God turns His foes into friends by His grace alone. And the rescue of Christ always leads to a new vocation for the pastors who shepherd the flock to the baptized people who serve Him with their worship, witness, and works of love 2
and mercy. THE DIVINE SERVICE HYMN At the Lamb s High Feast We Sing LW 126 At the Lamb s high feast we sing Praise to our victorious king, Who has washed us in the tide Flowing from his pierced side. Alleluia! Now no more can death appall, Now no more the grave enthrall; You have opened paradise, And your saints in you shall rise. Alleluia! Easter triumph, Easter joy! This alone can sin destroy; From sin s power, Lord, set us free, Newborn souls in you to be. Alleluia! Father, who the crown shall give, Savior, by whose death we live, Spirit, guide through all our days; Three in One, Your name we praise. Alleluia! INVOCATION In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 3
OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 30:5; 145:9 Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Let us confess our sins before God and in the presence of one another. Merciful Father, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. We are dead in sin by our very nature. We have failed to do the good You have called us to do, and we have done the evil You forbid. We pray for pardon, peace, and forgiveness for our sin, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Release us from sin s burden and guilt that we may know the peace of forgiveness and serve You with our whole heart, mind, and strength. (silence for meditation and reflection) 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. 4
Amen. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you. Amen. PSALM Psalm 30 (You turned my mourning into dancing.) You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever! I will extol You, O LORD, for You have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me. O LORD, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the LORD, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me! O LORD, be my helper! You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing Your praise and not be silent. 5
All: KYRIE O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. All: Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us. HYMN OF PRAISE "This is the Feast of Victory" LW page 161 Refrain: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, Whose blood set us free to be people of God? (Refrain) Power, riches, wisdom and strength, And honor blessing and glory are his. (Refrain) Sing with all the people of God And join in the hymn of all creation. Blessing, honor, glory, and might Be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. (Refrain) For the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia. (Refrain) SALUTATION 6
The Lord be with you. And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world. Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. FIRST READING Acts 9:1 22 (Saul, why do you persecute Me?) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Gradual All: Christ has risen from the dead. God the Father has crowned Him with glory and honor, He has given Him dominion over the works of his hands; He has put all things under His feet. SECOND READING Revelation 5:1 14 (Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!) 7
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. VERSE Romans 6:9; Luke 24:32 All: Alleluia. We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. Alleluia. Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures? Alleluia. HOLY GOSPEL John 21:1 19 (After directing the disciples to a great catch of fish, Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him.) The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 21 st chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. (The Gospel is read.) This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. THE APOSTLES CREED I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. 8
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. HYMN OF THE DAY Where Charity and Love Prevail HS98 878 (sung to Hiding Place LW 274) SERMON OFFERING OFFERTORY Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me, Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. Amen. CHURCH CANDLE CEREMONY PRAYER FOR THE CONQUEST OF CANCER LORD S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9 13) HYMN Great is Thy Faithfulness HS98 899 [Chorus] Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be. 9
[Chorus] [Chorus] Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! CLOSING COLLECT Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by the patience and comfort of Thy holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which You have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen. BENEDICTION 10
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. Amen. CLOSING HYMN Amazing Grace LW 509 Amazing grace, How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, Was blind, but now I see. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come, 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far And grace will lead me home. The Lord has promised good to me His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, As long as life endures. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease I shall possess within the veil, A life of joy and peace. 11
OUR MISSION AND MINISTRY We welcome our members and guests who are here with us today. May the Lord refresh you with peace and love during our worship services on this Third Sunday of Easter. Please join us here at Ebenezer again soon! Please sign the guest register near the front entrance with your name, address, and Church affiliation. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ TODAY S SERVICE IN RECOGNITION OF THOSE WITH CANCER We recognize those who have had been diagnosed with cancer. We remember those who have fought and won over this disease, and those who lost their lives. We have luminaries set up during our Sunday morning service in honor of those who have undergone treatment for cancer, those who are still going through treatment, and in memory of the ones who lost their lives to cancer. In Honor of: Albert Bade, Dorris Bade, Carol Bell, Mary Ann Bellis, Truman Brewer, Paul Creek, Mira Dijmovic, Debbie Donatti, Margie Donner, Rhonda Helling, Wilma Helling, Geri Homeyer, Lucille Homeyer, Richard Hughes, Alec Ingram, Barb Kassebaum, Lowell Kassebaum, Jennifer Roewe, Kathy Scheer In Memory of: Irene Bade, Deborah Bobbitt, Gregory Bopp, Robert Bopp, LeRoy Danz, Leo Deppermann, Janet Geisert, Gerald Groce, Virgil Kasmann, Leonard Kassebaum, Rose Kassebaum, Judy Kemp, Jim Kormeier, Nancy Martin Kryszaniek, Margie 12
Lane, Lawrence Pelster, Greg Pointer, Michael Van Ronzelen, Russell Wenck Relay for Life We will be having a pulled pork and baked ham dinner in our dining hall today immediately after service. The dinner will be served from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM benefitting the American Cancer Society. All profit from this dinner will go to provide lifesaving work in the fight against cancer. A free will offering will be collected with checks written to the American Cancer Society. The Immanuel Lutheran School kids are raising money for the Jordan Scheer Children's Relay and are selling donuts from Krispy Kreme. Please see the bulletin insert to order and for more information. You can also contact Jennifer Roewe: e-mail jroewe@7rfarms.com or her home number 573 459 6531. Guest preacher on April 17 th : We will be welcoming Rev. Ed Engelbrecht to our congregation on April 17 th. Pastor Ed will be preaching and presenting a Bible Class during the Sunday School hour. On April 17 th, Pastor Zastrow, Washington Circuit Visitor, will be visiting Zion Lutheran Church in Owensville and Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Belle. Pastor and Susan Engelbrecht and family were former members of our congregation. Plan to spend time with Pastor and Susan on April 17 th. Bible Study has been canceled for the month of April (14 th, 21 st, and 28 th ) due to scheduling conflicts for Pastor. Please watch for the next morning Bible Study coming in May. Please feel free to take your Easter Lily home to enjoy! 13
Please keep in mind to attend the Quarterly Voters Meeting of our congregation on Monday, April 18 th at 7:30 PM. The officers will meet in preparation for this meeting on this coming Tuesday, April 12 th at 7:00 PM. Those Serving Today Organist Saturday Organist Sunday Head Usher Saturday Head Usher Sunday Altar Guild Acolytes Bell Ringer Jenny Huellinghoff Ruth Marschel Tracey Bade Marvin Kassebaum Nancy Quinn and Mary Sprick Cierra Donatti Ava Monzyk Trent Huellinghoff Jeff Hohlt Offerings and Attendance April 2 & 3, 2016 Weekly Offerings $1,459.00 Plate 219.87 Sunday School 25.00 Easter Offerings 30.00 $1,733.87 YTD Thrivent Choice income $3,029.00 Attendance: Morning Worship 67 Saturday Worship 21 Sunday School Attendance: Children 6 Adults 19 14
This Week at Ebenezer Monday Tuesday Wednesday Saturday Rescheduled Elders Meeting 7:00 PM Officers Meeting 7:00 PM Confirmation 6:30 PM Go and Be Reconciled Seminar, Immanuel Lutheran Wentzville 8:00 AM Worship with Holy Communion 5:00 PM 15