HOLY COMMUNION Installation of Congregation Council Christ revealed as a great teacher Blessings on the poor, woes on the rich Sunday, February 17, 2019 10:30 am Choral Eucharist Exploring the promise of God for all The Holy Spirit gathers us in unity on the first day of the week. Planted by the waters of baptism, we grow from Christ our root Blessings and curses abound on the sixth Sunday after Epiphany. We would do well to listen closely to whom the blessed ares and the woe tos are directed and to find our place in the crowd among those who desire to touch Jesus. The risen Christ stands among us in the mystery of the holy supper with an invitation to live in him and the power to heal us all. GATHERING PRELUDE Chaconne André Campra The carillon calls the assembly to worship. At the sound of the bell the assembly stands to face the worship leaders at the back of the church. PROCESSIONAL HYMN (hymn) 449 We Know that Christ Is Raised GREETING AND PRAYER OF THE DAY P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. a And also with you. P Let us pray. Living God, in Christ you make all things new. Transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace, and in the renewal of our lives make known your glory, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. a Amen. The presider continues with words of welcome. WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song. CHILDREN S WORD Children are invited to come forward; parents are welcome to come with their children. - 1 -
READING Those who trust in the LORD are like trees Jeremiah 17:5 10 These verses compose a poem that is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings (17:5-11) that contrast two ways of life. Life with God brings blessing; the power and vitality of God is active in our life. Life without God brings a curse, the power of death. Thus says the LORD: Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the LORD. 6 They shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when relief comes. They shall live in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 Blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 8 They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit. 9 The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse who can understand it? 10 I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. a Praise to Christ the Word. Thanks be to God. SECOND READING Christ has been raised 1 Corinthians 15:12 20 For Paul, the resurrection of Christ is the basis for Christian hope. Because Christ has been raised, those who are in Christ know that they too will be raised to a new life beyond death. Paul writes to the church at Corinth: If Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. Praise to Christ the Word. a Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Luke 6:23 The assembly stands and welcomes the gospel, singing: c Rejoice, and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven The assembly repeats the ALLELUIA. - 2 -
GOSPEL Blessings on the poor, woes on the rich Luke 6:17 26 The holy gospel according to Luke. a Glory to you, O Lord. [Jesus] came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. After choosing his twelve apostles, Jesus teaches a crowd of followers about the nature and demands of discipleship. He begins his great sermon with surprising statements about who is truly blessed in the eyes of God. 20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. The gospel of the Lord. a Praise to you, O Christ. SERMON silence for reflection follows the sermon HYMN OF THE DAY (hymn) 728 Blest Are They stanza 1 all; 2 lower voices (all on refrain); 3 all; 4 higher voices (all on refrain); 5 - all APOSTLES CREED A Let us proclaim the faith that we share: a 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; - 3 -
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. Prayer requests may be recorded in the book of prayer concerns in the great room prayer niche. INSTALLATION OF CONGREGATION COUNCIL PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Each petition concludes: Hear us O God, a Your mercy is great. MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ. PEACE P The peace of Christ be with you always. a And also with you. The assembly is invited to share God s peace with one another. GATHERING OF GIFTS The offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time, the table is set. After the offering is gathered, bread, wine, money, and other gifts are brought forward. The assembly stands as the procession reaches the chancel. Christus Paradox Offertory Prayer A Let us pray together. a Merciful God, receive the gifts we bring, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Through this meal unite us as your body, shining with the light of your justice and mercy; for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The assisting minister pours out the wine. GREAT THANKSGIVING P The Lord be with you. a And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. a We lift them to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. a It is right to give our thanks and praise. P we praise your name and join their unending hymn: Alfred Fedak - 4 -
The presider continues with the Great Thanksgiving, concluding: Lord s Prayer (1975) a Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Breaking of the Bread and Invitation to Communion Communion All who come seeking Jesus are invited to receive these gifts of God. Lamb of God Communion at this service is served standing. Please follow the directions of the ushers to a communion station. Grape juice and gluten-free bread are available upon request. The benefits of the sacrament are fully present in either the bread or the wine, should health reasons prevent you from receiving one of them. Children are welcome to receive communion or a blessing. Prayer at the chancel kneelers during communion is always welcomed. Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee Gordon Young - 5 -
silence for reflection concludes the Communion Prayer after Communion A Let us pray. God of abundance, you have fed us with the presence of Christ. Use us as beacons of light and bearers of Christ s love for the sake of the whole world. In Jesus name we pray. a Amen. SENDING BLESSING P May the love of Jesus Christ, the light of the world, fill your hearts and illumine your path., Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever a Amen. RECESSIONAL HYMN Lord, Now You Let Your Servant Go DISMISSAL Please face the processional cross for the dismissal. A Go in peace. Christ is your light. a Thanks be to God. - 6 -
The carillon sends the assembly into mission. POSTLUDE Prelude and Fugue in F Dietrich Buxtehude Portions of the liturgy are from Sundays and Seasons.com 2019 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress liturgies license #26515. God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world. SERVING TODAY Pastor D. Foy Christopherson Pastor Stephanie Friesen Tom Allen Deacon Mark Sedio Central Choir Froya Olson, Robin Helgen, Mike Fairbairn, David Gindra Barb Hoernemann, Floyd Ward Shirley Dahl Pastor Peter Nycklemoe Mark Kieffer, Marc Wilson Sue & Tom Jorgensen Judith Hedman Patti Brestrup, Liz Crouch presiding preaching assisting minister cantor/organist choir quartet readers crucifer communion minister sound operators lead ushers for February docent hosts & greeters Chancel flowers this weekend are given by the children of Orv Westby in gratitude for their father. If you wish to donate flowers, contact Judy Korogi 10 days in advance at 612-788-1288. Central Reminisces A Centennial Celebration historical hymn sing with historic footage A program of audio and video recordings, photographic montages, choral music and hymns Sunday, February 17, 2019 2:00 pm This service is being streamed live on the internet at www.centralmpls.org. Following worship coffee and lunch is served in the great room. Brief sanctuary tours will be offered after this service. Meet a docent at the pulpit. Large print service folders, assisted listening devices, and access seating are available to aid your participation in worship. Please inquire with an usher. - 7 -
WELCOME TO CENTRAL You are welcome. No exceptions. Central Lutheran Church experiences God s expansive love and strives to share it abundantly. We affirm all people without regard to age, race, biological sex, housing status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration, refugee or migration status, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, and physical or mental health or ability. All are a part of God s family, created in God s image. We strive to practice radical hospitality with all people. Everyone is invited to immerse themselves in the life of this community of faith as we explore the promise of God for all. Central Lutheran is a Reconciling in Christ congregation. Guests are welcome. We are pleased you are worshiping with us today. We invite guests to complete the Welcome to Central card found in the pew racks and leave it with an usher or place it in the offering plate. If you would like more information about Central, please contact us at 612-870-4416, or email info@centralmpls.org. Children are welcome at all services. Worship bulletins for children and activity bags are available at Sanctuary entrances. If you would prefer to use Central s nursery (available for children ages four and younger), you will find it up the steps from the information desk at the South Entrance (across from the fellowship hall). An usher or greeter will be glad to assist you. Welcome to the Lord s Table. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome at the Lord s Table. Please follow the guidance of the ushers and instructions in the order of service. During communion, ministers will bring bread and wine to persons in designated access seating areas. If you are not in a designated access seating area and desire to commune where you are seated, please notify an usher who will direct communion ministers to come and serve you. Communion may be received in one kind (only bread or only wine) from any station if wheat bread or alcohol presents a health concern. Gluten-free breads and alcohol-free wine are available by request at most liturgies from most communion stations. Friends of Central Stay connected Across the country and beyond there are many people who have a soft spot in their heart for Central Lutheran Church people who feel a connection both to the history and the ongoing mission of this congregation. If you re one of them, we invite you to join our network of Friends of Central. Pick up a brochure or visit our website for more information or to join. Electronic Giving Opportunities: Online at www.centralmpls.org click on Give Today; or text 73256, enter code word centralmpls (lower case), and a numerical amount. Press send and fill in the details. All contributions from members and guests will appear in a contribution statement. WIFI is available as Central Lutheran (password guestclc). If you give electronically, use the green pew card to drop in the offering plate instead of an envelope. The ministries and mission of Central Lutheran are supported by givers like you. Questions? Contact the church office at 612-870-4416. - 8 -