VANGELICAL LUTHERAN BOOK OF WORSHIP SETTING EIGHT Loving, Living & Sharing Christ Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School 99 Central Park Rd., Plainview, NY 11803 Phone: 516.349.1966 Website: ourshepherdlives.org Email: church@ourshepherdlives.org Liturgy + Sundays at 8:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.* *2 nd, 4 th & 5 th Sunday Service of Healing with Holy Communion *Contemporary Worship with Meal at 5:00 p.m. on every 1 st Sunday *Taize at 6:00 p.m. on every 3 rd Sunday
November 11, 2018 TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST Our Chancel Flowers are Dedicated Anonymously to the Glory of God. Worship Assistants Ministers The People of Good Shepherd Presiding Minister Pastor Eric O. Olsen Assisting Minister (8:00 a.m.) Ronn Hall Assisting Minister (10:15 a.m.) Christin Walsh Assisting Minister (10:15 a.m.) Terry Miccio Lector (10:15 a.m.) Cathy Vollono Assisting Minister (6:00 p.m.) Lori DeFilippis Assisting Minister (6:00 p.m.) Marge Wenger Altar Care Victoria Shenko-Jacobson Flower Care Gisela Conforti Flower Care JoAnn Schulz-Dellacona Cantor/Choir Director Caryn Yakacki Minister of Music Teresa Ratkowski Organist Christian Cuesta Cang Reverend Eric Olaf Olsen, Pastor Home Phone: 516-342-9501 Cell Phone: 716 352-0055 pastorolsen@aol.com Teresa Ratkowski, School Director Cell Phone: 516-343-2763 E-mail: Teresa.Ratkowski@gsplainview.org Website: gsplainview.org
A Warm Welcome to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School We hope that your worship experience this morning is spiritually enriching and meaningful; we invite all to stay for fellowship in the narthex following the liturgy. Children are always welcome to join us at worship. If you have small children with you today who need a break, please feel free to utilize our Kids Corner in the Agape Room. We also provide religious coloring books and crayons that your children may wish to use during the liturgy. If you missed seeing them when you came in, they are in a basket in the rear of the chancel on the bell table. Your children are welcome to take the coloring book home after the liturgy. We would, however, like the crayons returned in the plastic bag to the basket in the back. As always there are age appropriate Little Lambs Activity Bags located on the stands in the narthex. Are you new to Good Shepherd? Our congregation is a member of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and our day school is a member of the Lutheran Schools Association. If you are looking for a church home/school we would be happy to share more information with you. At the entryway to the church you will find a guest book in which to leave your name and contact information. You may use the pew card for the same purpose and place it in the offering plate. We d be delighted to keep you informed about events and opportunities here at Good Shepherd and hope you will join us again. Restrooms are located off the narthex and a handicapped accessible restroom is located near the main entrance of the education building. Cell phones create a distraction during worship. We ask that you turn them off while in our church building. Our team of ushers is available throughout the service to be of any assistance you might need. Gluten-free hosts: all of our baked bread is gluten free.
GATHERING The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God. Announcements Prelude Brief Order of Confession & Forgiveness P: Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. C: Amen. P: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Gracious God, C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. P: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of + Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. C: Amen. Entrance Hymn: ELW#707 Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us
Apostolic Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: and also with you! Kyrie
Canticle of Praise
P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray O God, you show forth your almighty power chiefly by reaching out to us in mercy. Grant us the fullness of your grace, strengthen our trust in your promises, and bring all the world to share in the treasures that come through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. WORD God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song First Reading 1 Kings 17:8-16 8 The word of the Lord came to [Elijah,] saying, 9 Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you. 10 So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink. 11 As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand. 12 But she said, As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13 Elijah said to her, Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth. 15 She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Children s Sermon (10:15 a.m. service) Antiphon (sung by choir) The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. Second Reading Hebrews 9:24-28 24 Christ did not enter a sanctuary made by human hands, a mere copy of the true one, but he entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Holy Place year after year with blood that is not his own; 26 for then he would have had to suffer again and again since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the age to remove sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. L: The Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation
Gospel Mark 12:38-44 P: The Holy Gospel according to Mark the 12 th Chapter C: Glory to you, O Lord. 38 As [Jesus] taught, he said, Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! 40 They devour widows houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation. 41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them, Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. 44 For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon Hymn of the Day ELW#679, For the Fruit of All Creation 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 the Church P: Lord, in your mercy, C: hear our prayer. Peace P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you. The Offering is received as the Lord s table is prepared. Choir Anthem: "Just As I Am by Charlotte Elliott and William B. Bradbury Just as I am without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bideth me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come. I come broken to be mended, I come wounded to be healed, I come desperate to be rescued, I come empty to be filled, I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb, And I m welcomed with open arms, praise God just as I am. Just as I am I would be lost, but mercy and grace my freedom bought, And now to glory in Your cross, O Lamb of God, I come. I come broken to be mended, I come wounded to be healed, I come desperate to be rescued, I come empty to be filled, I come guilty to be pardoned by the blood of Christ the Lamb, And I m welcomed with open arms, praise God just as I am.
Offertory (Stand) MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ Offering Hymn ELW#184 Let the Vineyards be Fruitful Offertory Prayer A: Let us pray. C: Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts: our selves, our time, and our possessions. Use us, and what we have gathered, in feeding the world with your love, through the one who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving Proper Preface The preface appropriate to the day or occasion is sung or said. Sanctus A brief silence.
Eucharistic Prayer P: within each cell; with every breath. C: We praise you, O God. P: into the future. C: We bless you, O God. P: among the poor; with us now. C: We thank you, O God. P: we proclaim the mystery of faith: C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. P: by your Spirit, in your church, without end. C: Amen. The Lord s Prayer
Period of silence Lamb of God Distribution Good Shepherd practices Eucharistic hospitality. All baptized Christians are welcome at the Lord s Table, believing that in bread and wine we truly receive the Lord s precious body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Hymns During Distribution ELW#638, Blessed Assurance ELW#685, Take My Life, That I May Be Blessing P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace. A: Amen.
Post-Communion Canticle
Post-Communion Prayer A: God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: Amen. Silence for reflection. Temple Talk Greg Berry Benediction P: The God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus. C: Amen. P: The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: The God of all grace + bless you now and forever. C: Amen. Sending Hymn ELW#790, Day By Day Dismissal A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Fulfilling God s Purpose! Living as Servants We are reminded by the words of Matthew 20:28, Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many, that the life of Jesus was one of total sacrifice. That he wants to develop a servant spirit in his disciples and us as well is made clear by his statement recorded in Matthew 20:26:... whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant (Matthew 20:26). Jesus embodied this truth, becoming the ultimate servant who laid down his life for those he came to serve (John 10:14-15). He sends us his Spirit who conforms us to the image of God (2 Corinthians 3:18) creating in us the desire to take on the role of servants. The concept of serving rather than being served is not a natural one. We have an inborn desire to be served ourselves and to have our own needs met rather than to see to the needs of others. It is our nature to want to be number one. God s love transforms our mindset from wanting to please ourselves into a desire to serve others. Seeing others as our brothers and sisters in Christ helps us follow God s command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Besides our selfish natures that put ourselves first, the world urges us to do the same. We are told that we should aspire to fame, power, and wealth, but rarely is there glory, spotlight, or fame for the servant. Worldly praise has no lasting value, but that is not what God s servants aspire to, anyway. In living a life of service, we
give of ourselves without striving for financial rewards or glory. Along with the Apostle Paul we say, We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Because of our desire to serve Jesus, we begin to identify with the passion he has for people. We are freed from selfish interests and freed for Christian service. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13) God brings us into a proper relationship with himself so we can begin to serve one another in love. As imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1), who lived a life of compassion for others, we, too, will serve the hungry, handicapped, and helpless. We serve out of love for Christ and his people and, desiring to be worthy of his calling (Colossians 1:10), thoughts of self-exaltation or praise from men are absent. Jesus Example The entire life of Jesus was one of service, but one act of servanthood that is most often referred to is his washing of the disciples feet during the evening of the Passover Feast before his crucifixion (John 13:12-17). As he performed this duty of a servant, Jesus told them to do as he had done. Christ did not consider a life of servanthood to be beneath him. Neither should we. Through service, we put our faith into action. As we rely on God s strength to serve, we desire all the more to put our faith into practice. James reminds us that faith and actions work together and that faith is made complete by what we do (James 2:22). Speaking about our service to others Joan Rawlusyk wrote, There is a great paradox in reaching out to someone and that is, the more you reach out to others, the more you will be touched yourself. Joy and happiness in great measure are waiting for us if we will reach just a little further. In the reaching we become God s
own hand. While serving others, we are equally blessed. Jesus, speaking about acts of service, said,... you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:17b). Using Our Gifts for Service First Peter 4:10 is one of the Bible s most challenging and motivating verses: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. The verse outlines three truths. First of all, each one of us has received a gift. Second, we are to serve others. Finally, we are to be stewards in administering God s grace, which has been entrusted to us. Scripture teaches us that these are things we as Christians ought to do, but, like the old hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus reminds us, Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Only by God s strength are we empowered to live as his servants (Philippians 4:13). Only by his grace are we forgiven for our failures, our sinfulness. Truly, Jesus knows our weakness. That s why he lived the perfect life in our place. That s why he forgives and restores us. When we fall short, he urges us to [forget] what is behind and [strain] toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13).