The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Workers are Few

The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Workers are Few 7 th Sunday after Pentecost July 6 & 7, 2013

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 sends out seventy-two people to go ahead of Him, two by two, to every place where He Himself was about to go. We might, at times, wish that we could have been there, to hear a clear directive from Jesus, to be sent on a mission by Jesus, in person. We imagine, then, how strong we would be and how purposeful the mission would be, if Jesus standing right there had told us. Yet, for the seventy-two, tumult lay ahead: "The laborers are few;" "I am sending you as lambs in the midst of wolves;" "Wipe the dust off your feet;" "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!" It was not so easy for the seventy-two. So to those who listen through almost deaf ears, and follow with almost broken bodies, who look through dimmed eyes, to those who have lived amongst the wolves, and not quite made it out of town before being shoved back into that dust, to those Jesus speaks peace through this message of the cross, "Hush now, the reign of God has come near to you." PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Gracious God, our heavenly Father, during this hour of worship you will give us a foretaste of the feast to come in Holy Absolution, Word and Holy Supper of Your Son's body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, 2

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. RINGING OF THE BELL INVOCATION + PREPARATION + In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. OPENING SENTENCES Rejoice, for the LORD will extend peace like a river. We rejoice! Rejoice, for the LORD will comfort you. We rejoice! Rejoice, for the hand of the LORD extends to you today in blessing. We rejoice! Rejoice that your names are written in heaven! Isaiah 66:10-14, adapt. We rejoice! CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION Lord God, we come into Your presence this day with rejoicing. Yet, our hearts are heavy with the burden of our sin. We confess our sin to You, 3

trusting in Your promise to forgive us and to guide us by Your Spirit to change our sinful ways. Our pride and self-deception, we confess to You, Lord. Our ungracious treatment of those caught in a transgression, we confess to You, Lord. Our unwillingness to go into the harvest field, we confess to You, Lord. Our blindness to the signs of Your reign in our midst, we confess to You, Lord. As a called and ordained servant of Christ and by His authority, I announce to you that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Peace and mercy be upon you now and forever! Amen. + WORD + INTROIT Psalm 19:2, 4-6; antiphon: Psalm 19:1 All: All: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. 4

All: In them He has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 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. The heavens declare the glory of the God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. KYRIE ALL: Lord Have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us, Lord have mercy on us HYMN OF PRAISE "Splendor and Honor" HS98 910 SALUTATION The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. PRAYER OF THE DAY Almighty Father, You send us into the world as sheep among wolves, to declare Your kingdom, 5

which some welcome and others reject. Grant us peace in the midst of our turmoil, and help us to rejoice that our names are written in heaven, so that we may show forth Your kingdom now and forever, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 66:10-14 (Rejoice with Jerusalem) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GRADUAL All: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news, who publish peace and bring good news of salvation. Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. EPISTLE Galatians 6:1-10, 14-18 (Bear One Another's Burdens) VERSE This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Luke 10:5b, 9b Alleluia! Alleluia! Peace to this house! The kingdom of God has come near to you. Alleluia! 6

HOLY GOSPEL Luke 10:1-20 (Jesus sends out the Seventy- Two) chapter. The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the tenth Glory to You, O Lord. (The Gospel is read.) This is the Gospel of the Lord. 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 onlybegotten 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. 7

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. HYMN OF THE DAY "Rise, Shine, You People" HS 98 871 SERMON OFFERING OFFERTORY HYMN "We Praise You, O God" LW 494 We praise You, O God, our Redeemer, Creator; In grateful devotion our tribute we bring. We lay it before You, we kneel and adore You; We bless Your holy name, glad praises we sing. Text: Julia B. Cory, 1882-1963, alt. Public domain. Tune: KREMSER THE PRAYERS PREFACE + SACRAMENT + The Lord be with you. 2 Timothy 4:22 And also with you. Lift up your hearts. [Colossians 3:1] We lift them to the Lord. 8

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. [Psalm 136] It is right to give Him thanks and praise. PROPER PREFACE It is truly good, right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who by His death and resurrection established His reign in our cities and towns and in our hearts. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying: SANCTUS "Sanctus" LW page 148 Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of Sabaoth, Heav n and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he, blessed is he, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna, in the highest. PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING LORD of all, You reign in power and glory; You are the source of peace; You comfort us in our turmoil; You have written our names in heaven. In mercy, You sent Your Son, our Lord Jesus, to suffer for us to die for us, to be raised for us, and He ascended to heaven for us. In the eating of this bread and drinking from this cup our Lord's body and blood, You forgive our sins and renew our lives. For this we thank 9

You, we praise You, we adore You, we rejoice in You, now and into all eternity! Amen. WORDS OF OUR LORD Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: "Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me." In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." PROCLAMATION OF CHRIST As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26 Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20 LORD'S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9-13) 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 10

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. THE PEACE OF THE LORD The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen. AGNUS DEI HYMN "The Lamb, The Lamb" HS98 822 DISTRIBUTION HYMNS "What Is This Bread" HS 98 850 "Come, Risen Lord" HS 98 856 POST-COMMUNION HYMN "Lord, Bid Your Servant Go in Peace HS 98 911 POST-COMMUNION THANKSGIVING Almighty God, like a mother who comforts her children, who carries them on her hip, and who brings them great joy, so You, in this Holy Communion, comfort us, carry us, and give us joy. With Christ's body and blood, You bind us together in Your family, the Church. You forgive our sins, and You give us a foretaste of heavenly joy. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit to comfort others in their tumult, to forgive one another, and to demonstrate to the world the joy that comes from You alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 11

BENEDICTION The Lord, who established His reign in your midst in Jesus, bless you. The Lord, who through the cross of Christ keeps your name in heaven, keep you. The Lord, who establishes peace like a river, look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen. From Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series C, Part 3. Copyright (c) 2013 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you to Rev. Justin Pahl, a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis for leading our worship services both Saturday evening and Sunday morning. May God bless Rev. Pahl as he leads us in Word and Sacrament. Pastor and Margaret are in Minnesota visiting with his mother. They are returning late Sunday night. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Lord of body, and spirit, we ask that You would look with favor upon those who are suffering in body, and spirit. Where there is physical or mental illness, we ask that You would grant healing and restoration especially to Brenda Bailey, and David Door as they are undergoing cancer treatments now. We also ask for improved health for Adeline Keune and Esther Voelker. We also remember in prayer our many shut-ins in our congregation Mathilda Ohse, Yvonne Gleitz, Lucille Brune, Wilma Helling, Art Knehans, Ardell Wagner, 12

Hulda Althage, Delores Roehrs, Ed Gardner, Edna Deppermann Eric Hohlt, Beth Pelster, Paula Sprick and all those we remember in our hearts. Faithful Lord, bless Your Church and all the Servants of Your Church, that Your good and gracious will may be done among us and through us that many would be called to remember our Missionaries that we help support Robin McCoy in Thailand, Mike and Cindy Rodewald and John Strasen in Africa. We also ask for comfort and healing for the families of the 19 firefighters who were killed in Arizona this past week. We ask our Lord to keep all these terrible fires under control. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To our members and guests who here with us today, we are very glad you are here for worship services on this Seventh Sunday after Pentecost. May the Lord refresh you with peace and love during our service. Please join us here at Ebenezer again soon. Please sign the guest register near the front entrance with your name, address and Church affiliation Thank you I want to thank everyone for all the cards, visits and phone calls while I was in the New Haven Care Center to recover from my fall. Also thank you to Pastor for the visits while I was there and at home. God bless you all. Sincerely, Esther Hoemann Please remember that the Church Officers meeting will be held this coming Thursday at 7:00 PM. The Congregational Voters Meeting will be Monday July 15 th at 7:30 PM. 13

More Vacation Bible School News VBS Staff We are pleased to thank the following people for their help with teaching Bible School: Pre-School LaRayne Brune Kindergarten Jane Redhage Grade 1 Mary Wesche Grade 2 Jenny Huellinghoff & Justine Huellinghoff Grade 3 & 4 Becky Summers Grade 5 & 6 Kim Becerra Grade 7 & 8 Pastor Zastrow Music Jennifer Roewe Arts & Crafts Karen Sprick We look forward to a wonderful week. We are also in need of any helpers any day or all week. Vacation Bible School will be held here at Ebenezer July 22 to the 26 th from 9:00 to 11:30 AM for our VBS Adventure Tell It On The Mountain Where Jesus Christ is Lord. As we Tell It On The Mountain the children will learn about the one true God through five mountaintop Bible accounts where God meets His people with clear messages of His might and Grace. T-Shirts Needed We will be doing T-shirts again this year. If anyone would like to donate T-shirts, we would appreciate it. Larger sizes would be good too. If parents would like to donate the shirts for their family, that would be great! The T- shirts can be put on the table in the basement. Thank you for your support and donations. There is a sample T-Shirt hanging on the sign in the back of Church. Please take a look at this nice shirt! Vacation Bible School Mission Projects - This year we will be supporting three familiar mission projects. We will be helping our friend Otis Woodard with his Lutheran Outreach 14

with school supplies (new or used), meals in a can, hygiene supplies, ready to eat cereals, and juice boxes. The offering on Friday evening will also go to Lutheran Outreach. Our second project is Kids Against Hunger. On Tuesday morning, July 23 rd, the children will be packaging meals for children around the world that are in need of a balanced meal. Our monetary offerings throughout the week will go toward purchasing the ingredients for the meals. The third project is for Robin McCoy. Some of the classes will make crosses or ornaments for Robin to share in her ministry and daily life. VBS Snacks Each day the children enjoy a cookie, fresh fruit snack, pretzels, raisins, or snack chips and a cup of juice or Kool Aid. Any donations for snack time would be greatly appreciated. These can be dropped off in the Church kitchen or to Pastor or Margaret. Vacation Bible School Publicity Please help us get our VBS information out in the community. Take a few fliers at the back of Church and place them in your place of business or the businesses that you support. Thanks so much for your help and support! VBS Decoration Supply We will need clean plastic Walmart bags or larger. Hopefully these will be used to make rocks for our VBS Mountain! Place the bags in the Church basement or pass along to Margaret. Thanks so much! There is a table at the back of Church, with a few items left from the Picnic Silent Auction. Take a look. Perhaps one of the items will work for you. If interested, please contact Margaret Zastrow or Karen Sprick. 15

Please pick up your umbrellas and dishes from the June Picnic. They are in the Church kitchen. If anyone would like to place flowers on our altar in memory of someone or in celebration of a special anniversary or occasion, please see Mary Sprick. The Thrivent Pot-Luck Dinner will be held Sunday, July 21 st. We are having grilled sausage and hot dogs for the Pot-Luck meat. Please bring a dish to share. After lunch we will set up for Vacation Bible School. Help would be appreciated! Margaret & Karen More Thrivent News Grant Opportunity 1 All Lutheran educational institutions that have Choice Dollars directed to them between May 1 and September 30 will have the opportunity to be randomly selected to receive an additional $2,500 Grant. Extra $25 Choice Dollars to Say Thank You to Member Leaders and to Those Who Direct Online! As a member leader, you put many hours into strengthening your Christian community. This year, you went the extra mile to help members understand two important changes: extending Thrivent Financial s common bond from Lutheran to Christian, and opening up Thrivent Choice to most 501 (3) organizations. Thank you for your time and dedication during this busy year. To show our appreciation, all benefit member leaders have been designated an additional $25 Choice Dollars to direct to an organization they care about. Plus, here s some more good news. Eligible members, including eligible member leaders, who direct Choice 16

Dollars online between July 1 and Oct. 31 will be designated an additional $25 Thrivent Choice Dollars. Those Serving Today Organist Saturday Laura Nichols Organist Sunday - Ruth Marschel Head Usher Saturday - Tracey Bade Head Usher Sunday - Marvin Kassebaum Altar Guild - Janice and Lindsay Meyer Acolytes - Katelyn Bopp Andrew Inman Bell Ringer Paul Kassebaum Our Offerings and Attendance Weekly contributions $1570.00 Plate 107.50 Sunday School 20.88 Sausage sales 7.00 Sunday School Birthday Cake 33.42 Recycle 16.85 Vacation Bible School 20.00 $1775.65 Attendance: Saturday 20 Sunday 62 Sunday School Children 10 Adults 19 17

This Week at Ebenezer Wednesday Adult Class 5:00 PM Thursday Bible Study at 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM Church Officers Meeting 7:00 PM Friday Ladies Aid 1:30 PM Saturday Worship 5:00 PM 18