Welcome to Worship at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH STORY CITY, IOWA Stephen Anenson, Senior Pastor Kurt Jensen, Associate Pastor Zachary Bauknecht, Youth Ministry & Education Coordinator The Fourth Sunday of Easter April 17, 2016 We Hear God s Word Prelude Opening Hymn O Worship the King (vv.1-4) No. 104 Prayer Time for Greeting Announcements Worship Song As the Deer (vv.1-2) No. 548 We Hear Our Confirmands Express their Faith The Confirmation Talks Group 1 The Order for Affirmation of Baptism The Service of Holy Communion for the Confirmands See insert Confirmation Sunday April 17, 2016 Immanuel Lutheran Church Story City, Iowa We Hear God s Word The Lesson Exodus 33:7-11a 7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the tent of meeting. Anyone inquiring of the LORD would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.
The Gospel John 15: 12-17 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one s life for one s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. We Hear Our Confirmands Express their Faith The Confirmation Talks Group 2 We Respond to God s Blessings Offering Offertory We Are An Offering (on screen) We Hear God s Word Proclaimed in Song and Word Anthem Faith to Carry On The Senior Choir Susan Amensen, Director Flute Kelly Dahl Sermon Our Best Friend Pastor Anenson Hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus (vv.1-2) No. 630 We Receive God s Promise to Go with us into Daily Life Prayers of Praise and Intercession The Lord's Prayer Benediction Closing Hymn O Jesus, I Have Promised (vv.1,2,4) No. 676 Postlude Organist: Emily Anderson Candlelighter: Kaitlyn Kilstofte Ushers: Gary & Judy Hested, Nancy McMenamin, Lana Voga Greeters: John & Jackie Arthur Readers: Kyren Smith, Leila Seaton Sound Engineer: Craig Sargent We welcome you to God's house today and we trust that you will be encouraged and uplifted. Special welcome to relatives, sponsors and other guests here today for Confirmation Sunday. Confirmation Day. This morning eight young people will confess their faith in Christ as they share from the pulpit and at the altar railing. Pray for them as they continue their Christian walk in life. We gratefully acknowledge the nurturing of all parents, baptismal sponsors, families, and teachers whose loving guidance has been so important in making their day possible. Confirmation Flowers. The altar flowers and the corsages are given by the congregation in honor of the confirmands. Our confirmands received a cross as a gift before the service today from the local Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Chapter. Miriam Skartvedt, one of our Thrivent advocates, presented the crosses. If you would like a copy of the service today, including the confirmation speeches, CDs will be available. Please call or stop by the church office if you are interested in having a copy. Attendance last Sunday: 215 A New Member Sunday has been set for May 1. Please call the church office or talk to the pastors if you are interested in joining. Immanuel Women's Ministry Quilt Tying. A big thank you to the ladies who tied 17 quilts this past Thursday! Prayer Warriors Campaign. The Youth Vision Committee will be at a table in the narthex on April 24, May 1 and 8 giving out envelopes containing the name of a youth from our church. We would like to pair up members of our congregation with our youth. If you would like to pray for a special youth throughout the next year, please stop by and take an envelope. More details will be inside the envelope.
Volunteer Opportunity. We need several more members who are willing to volunteer to help at our sound and video desk on Sunday mornings. One person does the sound and recording. The other person works with the lights and the camera. Contact the church office or one of the pastors if interested. Learning Opportunities Adult Class in the Cornerstone Room. "Unstuck: Moving from the Mundane to the Meaningful" - 8:30 A.M., Sundays, April 10 May 8. Are you stuck in a rut? It's easy for Christians to find themselves caught up in the life of cluttered schedules, rhythms, and routines dictated by our culture. The Unstuck video Bible study can help guide you out of the ruts and pitfalls that so often ensnare us all. You will be inspired and equipped through the powerful biblical teaching of Mark Batterson, Francis Chan, Lisa Harper and Rich Stearns. Each of these teachers will draw from the lessons of the award-winning short film Journey to Jamaa a true story about two kids who are forced to search for hope in a broken world. Miss a session? Watch it anytime at www.rightnow.org with your free RightNow Media account (let us know if you don t have one yet!). Adult Class in the Social Hall. Sundays, April 10-24, Pastor Tom Hunt is leading a study "From Victim to Victor: Naming and Claiming the Promises of God." "Have you ever wondered where is the joy the Bible says I'm supposed to have? This three week session will try to understand the thinking that often defeats us, the attitudes and behaviors that keep us from living a truly joyous victorious life in Christ. I'd love to have you join us. Please bring your Bibles." -- Pastor Tom Hunt Opportunities to Serve The Scandinavian Days Beefburger meal is back! The Core group of Immanuel is planning to serve a noon meal for Scandinavian Days Saturday, June 4. There will also be a bake sale. We will need lots of help, monetary donations and baked goods. We are also trying to plan a potato cake making night! Further details will follow. Riverside Work Day. A work day will be held at Riverside Bible Camp Saturday, April 30 beginning at 8:30 A.M. - lunch. Lunch will be provided. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are invited to come and help get Riverside ready for summer camp. If you plan to come to help, call Riverside at 733.5271, so they know how much food to make. There may be afternoon work opportunities as well. If there is bad weather on April 30, then the work day will be rescheduled to Saturday, May 14. Upcoming Events The Women's Monthly Bible Study will continue with their new study this Tuesday, April 19, at 2 P.M. called "Spiritual Realms." It is a Bible Study on heaven and hell and places beyond this world. Copies of the new study are available in the church office or at the Bible Study. Cost is $6.00. All women of the church are invited to this monthly Bible Study held the third Tuesday of each month at 2 P.M. in the social hall. Reminders A nursery/playroom is available across from the restrooms on the main floor of the educational wing. The Children's Activity Bulletins are available from the ushers for young children. The next issue of the "Our Daily Bread" devotional book is on the shelf in the narthex. The large edition of "Our Daily Bread" for the months, April - June is also located on the shelf in the narthex. Hearing devices for those who have a difficult time hearing the service can be found on the shelf in the narthex. If you would like to try a unit, please ask an usher to assist you. All the change in the offering each week goes to help those who are suffering from hunger. Why not put an extra quarter in the plate each week? Tune in to the Immanuel Lutheran Radio Broadcast each Sunday morning at 8 A.M. on KASI Radio (AM 1430). A Handicap Accessible Restroom is located in the northwest corner of the lower level of the education wing. Additional restrooms are available on the lower level of the educational wing and in the social hall. As a congregation, let s be in prayer for: The parents of our children and young people as they seek to bring them up in the Christian faith. We praise God for: Our confirmands and the gift of faith God has given them.
April 17 24, 2016 Worship & Study Opportunities at Immanuel Sunday, April 17 Confirmation Sunday 8:00 A.M. Radio Broadcast on KASI (1430 AM) 8:30 A.M. Sunday School Classes 9:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex) 9:30 A.M. Worship Confirmation Service 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) 4:00 P.M. "Core" Bible Study Youth Activities High School Youth Activities Our next meeting - Will be April 24th as we gather at Cedar Place from 3:00-4:00PM. They are excited to spend time with us when we are there. Confirmation Youth - Congratulations on your big day!! This is a great step of faith and hopefully the springboard you need in your walk with Christ to get out there and do big things for Him! Middle School Youth Activities Our next meeting - Will be April 24th as we gather at Cedar Place from 2:00-3:00PM. Hope you can make it out for a fun afternoon. Spring Mission Project - 5th and 6th Graders, don't forget to check our mission project board for items that are left and in need of claiming. We are donating these items to the VA Hospital in Des Moines in May. Middle and High School Youth Activities Youth Group Volunteering - Our Middle School group needs some awesome adult helpers! Please go to this link to see our sign-up: http://vols.pt/uydwzs Thank You so much. We can't do it without you. We have some amazing youth here that can't wait to get to know YOU more! Monday, April 18 Tuesday, April 19 9:30 A.M. Staff Meeting 2:00 P.M. Women's Monthly Bible Study Wednesday, April 20 6:30 P.M. Junior Choir 6:30 P.M. Pizza Supper for Trinity & Confirmation 6:45 P.M. Trinity & Junior Confirmation Classes 7:15 P.M. Senior Choir Thursday, April 21 Friday, April 22 5:00 P.M. Wedding Rehearsal Saturday, April 23 8:00 A.M. Men of Immanuel 4:00 P.M. Joshua Ostrem - Mackenzie Manternach Wedding Sunday, April 24 8:00 A.M. Radio Broadcast on KASI (1430 AM) 8:30 A.M. Sunday School Classes 9:00 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Narthex) 9:30 A.M. Worship 10:30 A.M. Coffee Fellowship (Social Hall) 2:00 P.M. MS Youth Group at Cedar Place 3:00 P.M. HS Youth Group at Cedar Place 4:00 P.M. "Core" Bible Study & Supper
CONFIRMATION VERSES Confirmation Sunday Colby Gray Theresa Haskin Koby Hassebrock Jillian Lykins Colby Martin Dylan Matheason Leila Seaton Kyren Smith April 17, 2016 Immanuel Lutheran Church 604 Lafayette Avenue Story City, Iowa Each of the Confirmands today have chosen a favorite Bible passage and will share some personal thoughts on what Jesus means to them. They have written their talks on their own and will give them in the following order. Group 1 Colby Martin Revelation 21:6 He said to me: It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Colby Gray Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Leila Seaton Psalm 56:4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Dylan Matheason Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Group 2 Kyren Smith Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Jillian Lykins I Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Koby Hassebrock John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Theresa Haskin Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM SERVICE THE INVITATION TO COME TO THE ALTAR THE CHARGE TO THE PARENTS THE CONFESSION OF FAITH Pastor: After completing all the confirmation requirements of this congregation, we rejoice that you now desire to make public profession of your faith and assume greater responsibility in the life of our Christian community and its mission in the world. In Holy Baptism our Lord Jesus Christ received you and made you members of his Church. In the community of God s people, you have learned from his Word God s loving purpose for you and all creation. You have been nourished at his holy table and called to be witnesses to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, therefore, I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize. Do you renounce all the forces of evil, the devil, and all his empty promises? Response: I do. P: Do you believe in God the Father? R: I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. P: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? R: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary; He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father He will come again to judge the living and the dead. P: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? R: 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. THE PROMISE P: Dear Confirmands, You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend: to continue in the covenant God made with you in Holy Baptism: to worship among God s people, to hear his Word and share in his supper, to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of our Lord Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace in all the earth? R: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me. P: Father in heaven, for Jesus sake, stir up in the gift of your Holy Spirit; confirm their faith, guide their life, empower them in serving, give them patience in suffering, and bring them to everlasting life. P: Let us pray. Gracious Lord, through water and the Spirit you have made these men and women your own. You forgave them all their sins and brought them to newness of life. Continue to strengthen them with the Holy Spirit, and daily increase in them your gifts of grace and wisdom. Help them sense their important place in the community of faith. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen. THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION FOR THE CONFIRMANDS THE BENEDICTION