A Church Family Moves You Out of Self-Centered Isolation.

Sundays after Pentecost October 4, 2015 Content that Christ is Preached A Church Family Moves You Out of Self-Centered Isolation. Even if It is Not By You! - 20 - ABIDING FAITH Lutheran Church 33133 Hwy 249, Pinehurst, TX 77362 281-779-9951 www.abidingfaithtexas.com Joseph Koelpin, Pastor

OUR MISSION: TO GROW, GO, AND GIVE! COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. ~ MATTHEW 11:28 W elcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. We are so glad you are here! In our service we gather before our almighty God to offer him our worship and praise. We also gather to strengthen ourselves through the study of God s holy and powerful word. WORSHIP CONNECTION CARDS A new method of allowing us to keep record of our visitors and those who are worshipping with us. An ability to share change of address, phone numbers, e-mails, etc An opportunity to share prayer requests. As believers we have an awesome spiritual resource in Prayer. Share with us the concerns of your heart so that we can pray with you and for you! An opportunity to share what we are grateful for such as: birthdays, anniversaries, job promotions, anything that people would like us to celebrate with them. Place the cards in the collection baskets as our ushers come by. Nursery If you are a parent with a small child, please ask the ushers about our nursery, located at the far end of the building. Restrooms Located past the kitchen and to your left. AFTER WORSHIP, please stay and enjoy some coffee and fellowship Phase Two of the Psalm Challenge If someone were to ask you what you ate one year ago could you tell them? Unless it was a special occasion or you have a photographic memory I am guessing that most of you could not. In fact, for some of us its difficult to remember what we ate yesterday. Yet, even if we don t remember what we ate, we were still fed. That s how food works. God s Word works in the same way. We may not always remember what we get out of reading it, but It still feeds us. It still nourishes us. The Psalmist says, God s Word is sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103). It is food for the soul. As spiritual food, it needs to be consumed by us every day. For Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). This is not advice! It is spiritual livelihood and vitality. For this reason, we will be restarting our 2nd phase of the Psalm Challenge. It will begin on Monday, October 5, 2015. Here are the simple instructions: Choose an accountability partner (if possible, not your spouse). Each day read the appointed Psalm (Pastor will email them everyday) Share a passage(s) that stood out to you with your partner (via email, text...etc) Think about that verse throughout the day. The goal is to have everyone read through the entire book of Psalms this year. If you did not participate in the first phase of the Psalm challenge, there are still 6 weeks to catch up. On October 5th, we will begin with Psalm 26. - 2 - - 19 -

ABIDING FAITH LUTHERAN This Week: Coming Up at Abiding Faith OCTOBER 4, 2015 Tuesday, October 6th at 7:00pm Midweek Bible Study: 2 Peter Wednesday, October 7th at 9:00am Creative Crafts Wednesday, October 7th at 11:00am Women of the Word Bible Study. Wednesday, October 7th at 6:30pm Confirmation Class Sunday, October 11th from 5:30pm-7:30pm Youth Group Kickball at Abiding Word Lutheran Church Looking Ahead: Reformation Lecture and Festival Abiding Faith is hosting this year s Gulf Coast Circuit Reformation Festival. Saturday, October 31st from 10:00 12:00pm: Reformation Lecture Sunday, November 1st at 4:00pm Reformation Festival Service News and Notes Flowers The flower chart is in the narthex to sign up for altar flowers. The cost is $25.00. Please place your check, marked flowers, in the offering plate. If you sign up after the first of each month, please notify Carol Hambrick at 713-818-0889 so the order may be called in to the florist. Carrie Hopkins and Ward and Jamie Lipscomb are currently serving on our Fellowship Committee. They are excited to hear any suggestions that you may have. They will also need your help for the reformation service coming up in less than a month. If you are looking for opportunities for service, please speak with them. We are so thankful that the LORD has brought Zoe O Neill, daughter of Jeremy - 18 and - Gabbi Witt, into His family through the waters of baptism. HYMN 462 A SERVICE OF HOLY BAPTISM This order incorporates Holy Baptism into the congregational worship by combining the sacrament of baptism with the confession of sins. Martin Luther said that confessing sins and receiving forgiveness is nothing else than a reliving of baptism. Thu this order provides opportunity not only to baptize but also to recall the lasting blessings of baptism. M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. C: And also with you. CONFESSION OF SINS Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways M: Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded baptism when he said: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. All of us are born into this world with a deep need for baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But Jesus took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. At our baptism he clothes us with the robe of righteousness and gives us a new life. Our sinful nature need not control us any longer. We recall what baptism means for our daily lives as we speak these words: C: Baptism means that the sinful nature in us should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. - 3 -

M: As baptized children of God we confess our sins: C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen - 4 - Holy Baptism M: In obedience to the command of our Lord and trusting in his promise, you have brought Zoe to be baptized. Jesus told us: Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. It is in baptism that God grants the new life of forgiveness, joy, and peace to little children. By the power of God s Word, this gracious water of life washes away sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. HOW HOW 95 THESES 95 THESES CHANGED CHANGED THE THE WORLD WORLD Houston Houston Area Reformation Area Reformation Festival Festival Worship Worship Sunday, Sunday, Nov 1, 2015 Nov 1, 2015 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Guest Preacher, Stephen Valleskey Guest Preacher, Stephen Valleskey Titus 1:11 Saving Grace Titus 1:11 Saving Grace Reformation Reformation Lecture Lecture Saturday, Oct 31, 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct 31, 10:00 a.m. Guest Speaker, Stephen Valleskey How 95 Theses Guest Changed Speaker, the Stephen World Valleskey How 95 Theses Changed the World Abiding Faith, Pinehurst, TX Abiding Faith, Pinehurst, TX - 17 -

BAPTISM M: Receive the sign of the cross on the head and on the heart to mark you as a redeemed child of God. I baptize you in the name of the Father of of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Almighty God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit has forgiven all Zoe s sins. By her baptism, she is born again and made a dear child of her Father in heaven. May God strengthen her to live in her baptismal grace all the days of her life. C: Amen. Kickball Tourney Sunday, October 11th 5:30-7:30pm All teens from the Gulf Coast circuit are invited to Abiding Word for a night of fellowship. The evening will include a Bible study, dinner, and a kickball tournament. Feel free to invite a friend and see you here on October 11th! Abiding Word Lutheran Church ENCOURAGEMENT M: Brothers and sisters in Christ: Our Lord commands that we teach his precious truths to all who are baptized. Christian love therefore urges all of us, especially parents and sponsors, to assist in whatever manner possible so that Zoe may remain a child of God until death. If you are willing to carry out this responsibility, then answer: Yes, as God gives me strength. C: Yes, as God gives me strength. PRAYER M: Let us pray: Merciful Father in heaven, we thank you for the blessing of baptism by which you offer and grant the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Help us to regard our baptism as the robe of righteousness we are to wear all the days of our life. Look with special favor on Zoe Oneill and grant her a rich measure of your Spirit so that she may grow in faith and godly living. Make us willing to carry out our responsibilities to those who have been baptized, so that all of us may finally come to the blessed joys of heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord. C: Amen. M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord! - 17123 16 - Red Oak Dr. Houston, TX 77090 281-444-5894-5 -

BAPTIZED IN WATER PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Mercifully grant, O God, that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts, for without your help we are unable to please you; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. - 6 - We are grateful for Isaiah Koelpin celebrated a birthday on 9/29...we thank the Lord for the blessing of his life. We praise our mighty God for the positive outcome of Charles Ross heart cath, for Leslie Lindquist s homecoming last Saturday and for Barbra Witt s recovery from an upper respiratory infection. Thank you Lord for hearing our prayers...those verbalized and those in our hearts. Prayers Danielle Sleeper friend of Pacovsky s Lord we ask that we trust in your Holy Will and that you may bring comfort to all those who are saddened by her tragic missing. Leslie Lindquist Father, we place her in Your loving arms with the confidence that You will comfort her and her family as she recovers from this recent surgery. Barbara Gibson Continue to use her weakness to be a constant source of strength for others, because her strength comes from you. Scherer family Father we lift up Barbara and Loyd as they face new challenges with Loyd s Alzheimer s. We pray for your strength, comfort and love...in daily doses. Frank Burton and Loyd Scherer We keep these brothers and their families in our hearts and prayers as they deal with Alzheimer s...we ask for blessings, for strength, for peace and comfort for them and their families. Rick Williams Through your spirit lead him to understand that you have won for him the victory of eternal life. Shelby Murphy Father, we ask if it be your will, to heal Shelby s voice, that it may not sustain damage, so that sshe may continue to sing praises to you. Carla McCaskey-Father, we boldly ask with the confidence of children asking their Father that you heal her back issues and restore her health so that she may continue to serve You. Matt Hogan friend of Kyle Parrish-recently diagnosed with bone cancer and currently waiting for treatment. Father we pray for healing of this 17 year old young man whom You love very much. We pray for strength, courage, and for the confidence of of knowing that You walk with him every step of this journey that he faces. Persecuted Christians Father, we lift up your children who are being persecuted all over the world and in our own backyard for standing firm in their convictions and faith; we pray for strength and perseverance to stand firm in the knowledge that the victory has been already won. Remind us to wear your armor as we face these persecutions. - 15 -

We are a Sacramental Church Scripture teaches that in the Lord s Supper, along with the bread and wine, we miraculously receive the real body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Scripture connects a warning with this miracle: Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself (1 Corinthians 11:29). Therefore, in light of Scripture s warning, if you are not familiar with the teaching of the real presence of Christ s body and blood, we ask that you speak with the pastor before taking the Lord s Supper. And we greatly look forward to celebrating the Lord s Supper with you. The Word FIRST LESSON Numbers 11:16; 24-29 DISTRIBUTION CLOSING PRAYER M: Hear the prayer of your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised you here may glorify you in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of your Son may long for his coming again, and that all who have received the pledge of your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. BLESSING M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. C: Amen. The LORD said to Moses: Bring me seventy of Israel s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. So Moses went out and told the people what the LORD had said. He brought together seventy of their elders and had them stand around the Tent. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took of the Spirit that was on him and put the Spirit on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did not do so again. However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. A young man ran and told Moses, Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp. Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses aide since youth, spoke up and said, Moses, my lord, stop them! But Moses replied, Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD s people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them! HYMN 471 Renew Me, O Eternal Light - 14 - - 7 -

WE ARE GOD S PEOPLE Psalm 100 We Are God s People is done in ostinato style. The cantor introduces the refrain. The congregation then repeats the refrain over and over. At the same time the congregation sings the refrain, the cantor sings the psalm verses. When the cantor sings the final verse, the refrain is sung by all one WORDS OF INSTITUTION M: Our Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, C: Amen Drink from it, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD Agnus Dei Verses: M: Cry out with joy to the Lord, all you lands, all you lands. Serve the Lord now with gladness, come before God singing for joy! Know that the Lord is God! Know that the Lord is God, who made us. To God we belong, God s people, the sheep of the flock! Go, now within the gates giving thanks, giving thanks. Enter the courts singing praise, give thanks and bless God s name! Text: Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5; David Haas, 1983, GIA Publications, Inc. - 8 - - 13 -

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. C: It is right to give him thanks and praise. M: Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he empowered his Church to be witnesses of Christ to the ends of the earth. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory for ever and ever. Holy, Holy, Holy Sanctus SECOND LESSON Mark 9:38-50 Teacher, said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us. Do not stop him, Jesus said. No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other. HYMN 248 When In Our Music God Is Glorified - 12 - - 9 -

SERMON Philippians 1:12-18a THANK OFFERING As the offering is being passed, please place your Connection Card in it. Thank you! Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, PRAYER OF THE CHURCH M: Gracious God and Father, we praise you for the countless blessings, which we receive from your hand: the beauties of creation and the bounties of the earth, the joy of life and the pleasure of friendship, the good of work and the gift of rest, the privilege to share happiness and sorrow with one another. Above all we praise and thank you for your saving Word and for your Son s body and blood, which you give us to eat and to drink in the sacrament. Through these means of grace, you send the Holy Spirit into our hearts and unite us to Jesus and to the whole Christian Church on earth. C: Amen THE LORD S PRAYER CONFESSION OF FAITH I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. The Apostles Creed I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. 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. C: 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. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. M: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. M: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them up unto the Lord. The Lord s Supper - 10 - - 11 -