Trinity Luth_r[n Chur]h Grace...love...fellowship... from the Trinity at Trinity (2 Cor 13:14) 4704 N. Wall St - Spokane, WA 99205 Online @ www.spokanelutheran.com Nathan J. Pfeiffer, Pastor Church & Parsonage Phone: (509)327-4203 Cell: (509)703-2157 / Email: njpfifer@hotmail.com Luke Lillquist, President; Ivan Zarling, Head Elder; Kathy Conway, Organist; Tom Bettinger, Head Usher; Bob and Marci Brand, Tamar Pfeiffer, Sunday School Trinity is a member of the Church of the Lutheran Confession (CLC) Please visit www.clclutheran.org for more information A Special Welcome to our Visitors! We are thankful that the Lord led you to us today! Today s worship services follow a liturgical format which can be found on the following pages of this bulletin. We encourage you to speak with the Pastor or an Usher if you have any questions about today s service or our church. Please record your visit with us by signing our guest register and we hope you will join us again! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE INVOCATION: (We call on the name of our Triune God) PASTOR: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost CONGREGATION: + Amen PASTOR: Service introduction and opening prayer th Sunday in Easter 5 th May 6, 2012 Pre-Service Meditation: Psalm 32; Hymnal, p. 130-131 Morning Prayer for a Communicant: O Lord Jesus, because of Your great goodness, this morning I rejoice in being privileged to go to your house together with my fellow Christians, there to partake of Your body and blood in, with, and under the consecrated bread and wine. Oh, how my soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord and His altar! As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, My Redeemer. You are my Shepherd; I shall not want. O Lord Jesus, even as You have begun the good work of salvation in me, a poor wretched sinner, so also mercifully perform it, by the gracious aid of Your Holy Spirit, to Your honor and the welfare and salvation of my soul. O dearest Redeemer, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. May Your grace which is able to do all things render me worthy and well prepared, so that the priceless nourishment of Your true body and blood may refresh my soul in this heavenly feast of love and joy. Array me in the robes of salvation and in the garments of righteousness of faith. Thus I may not be found among the guests without wedding garments, but may be a worthy guest at Your Table and partake of all the treasures of grace you have provided. May Your grace, O Lord Jesus, be and remain with me; even as my hope is continually in You. May Your providence preserve my spirit, my life, and my being. And do bestow, O faithful God, whatever else I may be in need of in this world and the next. Thou, who feedest us below! Source of all we have or know! Grant that with Thy saints above We may share Thy feast of love. Amen. Opening Hymn #198 - He s Risen, He s Risen, Christ Jesus the Lord THE CONFESSION OF SINS AND ABSOLUTION: (We come before our Creator and Redeemer, confessing our guilt and seeking His forgiveness) P: Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. Our Help is in the name of the Lord. C: + Who made heaven and earth. P: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord. C: + And Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. (Ps 32:5) ALL: O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee and justly deserved Thy temporal and eternal punishment. But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee of Thy boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinful being. P: As Christ has given you the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven, and you have called me to administer the same, even so, upon this your confession, I as a called servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to you all. And in the place and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. C: + Amen -1- -2-
PSALM OF THE DAY: (Psalm 67) P: God be merciful to us and bless us, C: And cause His face to shine upon us. P: That Your way may be known on earth, C: Your salvation among all nations. P: Let he peoples praise You, O God; C: Let all the peoples praise You. P: Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, C: And govern the nations on earth. P: Let the peoples praise You, O God; C: Let all the peoples praise You. P: Then the earth shall yield her increase; C: God, our own God, shall bless us. P: God shall bless us, C: And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him. P: God be merciful to us and bless us, C: And cause His face to shine upon us. P: Glory be to God! THE GLORIA PATRI: + Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen THE KYRIE: + Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS: (With the angels at Christ s birth, we glorify God for all He has done to save us.) P: + Glory be to God on high: + C: And on earth peace, good will toward men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee, we give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; Thou only art the Lord. Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen THE SALUTATION: (The Pastor and Congregation greet one another) P: The Lord be with you. C: + And with thy spirit. THE COLLECT: (A prayer based on the service theme along with any prayer requests) P: Let us pray: O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that among the many changes of this world, our hearts may ever yearn for the lasting joys of heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: + Amen The Scripture Lessons The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Is 40:8) First Lesson: Acts 8:26-40 Behold the work and fruit of the Holy Spirit! THE GRADUAL: (The verse for the day which ties together the Scripture passages and service theme) P: Alleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, says the Lord. Alleluia! (Jn 14:6) ALL: + Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! -3- -4-
THE EPISTLE LESSON: P: Our Epistle lesson for today is from the first letter of John, chapter four, beginning with the first verse. C: + Glory be to Thee, O Lord! 1 John 4:1-11 What are some fruits of faith that result from being in the Vine? John points to two - confessing Jesus as Lord and love for one another. P: So far our New Testament lesson. Blessed are those that hear the word of God, and keep it! (Lk 11:28) C: + Praise be to Thee, O Christ! OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH: (We make public confession of our faith in the Triune God) The Nicene Creed 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 Ghost 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 sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end. AND I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY GHOST, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake 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 Pre-Sermon Hymn: (A hymn which prepares us to hear the Word of God) #296 - Speak, O Lord, Thy Servant Heareth Sermon Theme and Notes: THE WORD OF GOD: John 15:1-8 THERE ARE NO SURPRISES IN GOD S VINEYARD 1) You can expect the pruning process 2) You can expect no fruit apart from Jesus 3) You can expect much fruit in Jesus -5- -6-
THE OFFERTORY: (We pray that God would bless us by His Word) P: The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7) + 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. (Ps 51:10-12) Hymn of the Day: #408 - Jesus Christ, My Pride and Glory ~ Offering of Thankful Hearts ~ In support of the Gospel ministry here at Trinity and throughout the CLC THE PRAYERS (Prayers of the church for our offering and in connection with our service theme) THE SANCTUS: (With the army of angels [Sabaoth] in heaven praise our most holy God) + HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD OF SABAOTH; HEAV N AND EARTH ARE FULL OF THY GLORY; HOSANNA, HOSANNA, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. BLESSED IS HE, BLESSED IS HE, BLESSED IS HE THAT COMETH IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. HOSANNA, HOSANNA, HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST. THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION: (Spoken by the Pastor) THE PAX DOMINI: (Latin for The Peace of the Lord which is given us in the Sacrament) P: The peace of the Lord be with you alway! C: + A- --MEN. THE PREFACE: (A prayer of thanksgiving and introduction to our Communion liturgy) P: The Lord be with you. C: + AND WITH THY SPIRIT. P: Lift up your hearts. C: + WE LIFT THEM UP UNTO THE LORD. P: Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God. C: + IT IS MEET AND RIGHT SO TO DO. P: It is truly fitting, right, and good that we should at all times and all places give thanks......therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying: THE AGNUS DEI: (Jesus is the Lamb (Agnus) of God (Dei) who takes away the sin of the world) + O CHRIST, THOU LAMB OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON US. O CHRIST, THOU LAMB OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON US. O CHRIST, THOU LAMB OF GOD, GRANT US THY PEACE... A --- MEN. -7- THE LORD S PRAYER: P: 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. C: + FOR THINE IS KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.- -8-
A SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR VISITORS: At Trinity, we practice Close(d) Communion in accord with the practice of the Apostolic and Ancient Christian Church of the first four centuries, as well as the confessional Lutheran Churches since the Reformation. The Lord s Supper is no ordinary meal, and requires true understanding and faith in order for the communicant to receive its blessing and not bring judgment upon himself (I Cor. 11:27 ff.). Therefore, in loving concern for those visitors, who are not members of the CLC (Church of the Lutheran Confession), and as a testimony of the closeness of our own faith and confession, we limit participation in Supper. If you are looking for an altar at which to commune, please speak with the pastor. With our practice we do not mean to judge anyone s faith, but to make a confession of our own before God and before the world. DISTRIBUTION OF THE LORD S SUPPER Prayers for Communicants: Before Reception of Holy Communion: Dear Savior, we come to Your table at Your gracious invitation to eat and drink Your holy body and blood. Let us find favor in Your eyes to receive this holy sacrament in faith for the salvation of our souls and to the glory of Your holy name; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen After Reception of Holy Communion: Dear Lord Jesus, we thank and praise You that You have again refreshed us with the gift of Your body and blood in this comforting sacrament. Bless our participation that we may depart from Your presence with peace and joy in the knowledge that we are reconciled to God. We ask this in Your name. Amen. Distribution Hymn: #305 - Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness THE NUNC DIMITTIS: (The Nunc Dimmittis is the song Simeon sang after holding the baby Jesus. We sing it having received the body and blood of Jesus in the Sacrament. - Lk 2:29-32) + LORD, NOW LETTEST THOU THY SERVANT DEPART IN PEACE ACCORDING TO THY WORD, FOR MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THY SALVATION: WHICH THOU HAS PREPARED BEFORE THE FACE OF ALL PEOPLE, A LIGHT TO LIGHTEN THE GENTILES AND THE GLORY OF THY PEOPLE ISRAEL. GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY GHOST; AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING, IS NOW, AND EVER SHALL BE: FOR-EVER-MORE. AMEN. THE THANKSGIVING: P: O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. C: + AND HIS MERCY ENDURETH FOREVER. P: Let us pray -...through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: + A --- MEN. THE BENEDICTION: (The Triune God blesses His people as they leave His house of worship) P: The Lord bless you and keep you The Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you, The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Num 6:24-26) C: + A-men. A-men. A-a-men. The Closing Hymn: #799 - This Is the Feast of Victory ~ Silent Prayer & Meditation ~ I thank and praise you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for the many blessings you have graciously given me in this hour of worship. Thank you for grafting me in to the true Vine, Jesus Christ, by calling me to faith. I pray that You would prune away any unnecessary and unhealthy growth in my life, that I may bear more fruit to the glory of Your name. Help me to always abide in the Vine and through His life cause me to bear much fruit in mine. In this way, help me to glorify You and show the world that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Be with and bless me and my fellow Christ-worshipers as we leave Your house today, that we may bear more fruit to the praise of Your name! Amen. -9- -10-