Concordia Lutheran Church 255 West Douglas St. South St. Paul, MN

Concordia Lutheran Church 255 West Douglas St. South St. Paul, MN 55075 651-451-0309 Vision Creating a Christ-Centered Community, one family at a time, beginning in South St. Paul and continuing through the world Mission Creating a Christ-Centered community gathered together To joyfully worship our God To grow in faith and knowledge To love one another And to share the Good News of Jesus Christ

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TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST PROPER 22 October 7, 2018 AS WE GATHER They shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24b). These timeless words of God speak of the arranged marriage we have received as a gift from our Creator. Man and woman are not the same; we are different. Yet our differences are part of the Maker s design for us to find completion in each other. So it is with Christ. Only in Christ will we find our true identity! Our marriages this side of eternity are arranged by God to reflect the marriage He has established with us for eternity! Christ, our Bridegroom, has cleansed us and made us His own through His blood, shed on the cross. When we are drawn to Him by His Spirit and receive Him through faith, we become the very Bride of Christ. Living as one in this relationship with our Bridegroom and Savior, we then open our eyes to see the blessing He gives to us in the union of Christian marriage. May our Bridegroom bless His Bride as we meet Him at His altar today! PRE-SERVICE MUSIC THE WELCOME THE RITE OF FRIENDSHIP PREPARATION OPENING HYMN Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear LSB 908 1 Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through Your Word to me draw near; Let me Your Word e er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain. 2 Your Word inspires my heart within; Your Word grants healing from my sin; Your Word has pow r to guide and bless; Your Word brings peace and happiness. 3

Please stand for final verse 3 To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, Three in One, Shall glory, praise, and honor be Now and throughout eternity. Text (st. 2): 1993 Mark A. Jeske. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003134 Text (sts. 1, 3): Public domain INVOCATION P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: In a time of silence and prayer, let us approach the Father s throne of grace. (We take a moment of silence for personal reflection and confession of our sins.) P: Most merciful Father, C: we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have drifted from Your commands, choosing to go our own separate ways. We have not honored You as our Creator, nor have we honored one another in love. By the cleansing work of our Redeemer, remove from us our sins of thought, word, and deed so that we worship You in Spirit and in truth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. P: Only in Christ Jesus are we made complete complete as God s creation and completely cleansed of our guilt and sin. Upon this your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Lord, announce His grace to all of you and, in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive you all of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. WORD INTROIT Psalm 127:3 5; antiphon: v. 1a All: Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. P: Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, C: the fruit of the womb a reward. All: Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. 4

P: Like arrows in the hand of a warrior C: are the children of one s youth. All: Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. P: Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! C: He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. All: Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. KYRIE 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. P: For the peace of Christ, our Bridegroom, to rule in our hearts and lives, let us pray to the Lord. C: Lord, have mercy. P: For the blessing of all who live according to God s gracious will both in the Christian family and in the family of Christ, the Church, let us pray to the Lord. C: Christ, have mercy. P: Help us, O Lord! C: Save us, O Lord! P: Defend us, O Lord! C: Have mercy on us, O Lord! HYMN OF PRAISE Holy, Holy, Holy LSB 507 1 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessèd Trinity! 2 Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee, Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee, Which wert and art and evermore shalt be. 5

3 Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee, Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see, Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee, Perfect in pow r, in love, and purity. 4 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea. Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! God in three persons, blessèd Trinity! Text: Public domain SALUTATION P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray. Merciful Father, You have loved us with an everlasting love in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant that by Your Holy Spirit we acknowledge the sacred nature of the gift of marriage, living always as the faithful Bride of Him who has made us His own; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. OLD TESTAMENT READING Genesis 2:18 25 18 Then the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. 19 Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 6

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. GRADUAL ALL: He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! EPISTLE Hebrews 2:1 13 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him? 7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, 8 putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, 13 And again, I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise. I will put my trust in him. 7

And again, Behold, I and the children God has given me. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. ALLELUIA AND VERSE ALL: Alleluia. Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Alleluia. THE HOLY GOSPEL Mark 10:2 16 P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the tenth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? 3 He answered them, What did Moses command you? 4 They said, Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away. 5 And Jesus said to them, Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. 6 But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. 7 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. 9 What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate. 10 And in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. 11 And he said to them, Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her, 12 and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. 8

THE CREED The Apostles Creed C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence 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 T everlasting. Amen. THE HYMN OF THE DAY Dearest Jesus, We Are Here LSB 592 1 Dearest Jesus, we are here, Gladly Your command obeying; With this child we now draw near In response to Your own saying That to You it shall be given As a child and heir of heaven. 2 Your command is clear and plain, And we would obey it duly: You must all be born again, Heart and life renewing truly, Born of water and the Spirit, And My kingdom thus inherit. 9

SERMON 3 Therefore we have come to You, In our arms this infant bearing. Truly here Your grace we view; May this child, Your mercy sharing, In Your arms be shielded ever, Yours on earth and Yours forever. 4 Gracious Head, Your member own; Shepherd, take Your lamb and feed it; Prince of Peace, make here Your throne; Way of Life, to heaven lead it; Precious Vine, let nothing sever From Your side this branch forever. 5 Now into Your heart we pour Prayers that from our hearts proceeded. Our petitions heav nward soar; May our hearts desires be heeded! Write the name we now have given; Write it in the book of heaven! Text: Public domain OFFERING HYMN Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens LSB 589 1 Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, Let Your Word to me come near; Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear. Death s dread pow r, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life; Fill me, Lord, with love s strong fervor That I cling to You forever! 2 Oh, what blessing to be near You And to listen to Your voice; Let me ever love and hear You, Let Your Word be now my choice! 10

Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at Your Word; But to all who feel sin s burden You give words of peace and pardon. 3 Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads. Lord, Your words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds. Lord, Your words will be my light Through death s cold and dreary night; Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing! 4 As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root. May Your Spirit e er be near me That I bear abundant fruit. May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise, Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven. Text: Public domain PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. For the growth of God s kingdom of grace, that we live out our identities as sons and daughters of our heavenly Father, let us pray to the Lord. C: Father, we are Your family, created to be Your own. P: For the Christian Church, both here at Cnoncordia and assembled in congregations throughout the world, that we be one as our God is one, let us pray to the Lord. C: Father, we are Your family, redeemed and restored in Christ. P: For all pastors, teachers, musicians, missionaries, and other servants of the Church, that they find joy in their callings, let us pray to the Lord. C: Father, we are Your family, blessed by those who serve and lead. P: For all husbands and wives, moms and dads, daughters and sons, and every member of every Christian family, that we live out our unique vocations in joy and peace, let us pray to the Lord. C: Father, we are Your family, set apart to bless one another in Christ s love. 11

P: For all public servants, including those who serve in the government and in our armed forces, that they would find refuge in the strong arms of our Savior, let us pray to the Lord. C: Father, we are Your family, guarded and shielded by Your presence. P: For all who suffer in heart, mind, and body, [especially...], that they find restoration in Christ, let us pray to the Lord. C: Father, we are Your family, ever in need of Your healing mercy. P: For these and all other concerns we have, that our gracious Father would answer the petitions of His people, the Bride of Christ, for the sake of Him who is our Bridegroom, let us pray to the Lord, C: Father, we are Your family. Grant that our lives reflect who You are and what You have done to make us Your own. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. LORD S PRAYER 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. (Matthew 6:9 13) BENEDICTION P: Go forth with the blessing of Your faithful Savior and Bridegroom upon your life: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Numbers 6:24 26 C: Amen. 12

CLOSING HYMN Go, My Children, with My Blessing LSB 922 1 Go, My children, with My blessing, Never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are My own. In My love s baptismal river I have made you Mine forever. Go, My children, with My blessing You are My own. 2 Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure. Here you learned how much I love you, What I can cure. Here you heard My dear Son s story; Here you touched Him, saw His glory. Go, My children, sins forgiven, At peace and pure. 3 Go, My children, fed and nourished, Closer to Me; Grow in love and love by serving, Joyful and free. Here My Spirit s power filled you; Here His tender comfort stilled you. Go, My children, fed and nourished, Joyful and free. 4 I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace; I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace: I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother. Go, My children; I will keep you And give you peace. Text: 1983 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110003134 13

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Concordia Lutheran Church s Covenant with One Another How Do We Love One Another at Concordia Lutheran Church? 1. We will behave in a spirit of forgiveness always speaking well of others with love and kindness knowing that God created every human being in His image and we will always show respect for others despite our mutual failures, acknowledging shortfalls and willing to forget prior harms. 2. We will promote and practice honest conversations following the 8 th Commandment to speak well of each other, avoiding gossip by redirecting people to the appropriate person and avoiding anything that would cause divisions in the Body of Christ. 3. We will lift up each other in prayer in all that we do by turning to God for guidance and support, showing our gratitude and thanksgiving, and realizing we depend on Him for our entire existence. 4. We will offer a hand of hospitality welcoming all people by acknowledging the presence of others, greeting everyone with concern for them and openly sharing our biblical faith with everyone in word and deed. 5. We will be positive and joyful sharing openly our happiness in the Lord with fun, positive humor and inclusive fellowship always defending each other, speaking well of each other, and putting the best construction on everything. Serving In God s House Pastor: Reverend William L. Keller II Organ/Piano: Beth Ekblad Usher Captain: Bruce Avenson Lay Reader: Bruce Avenson Altar Guild: Bruce & Gail Avenson Greeters: Joan Pawlik and Linda Pawlik Acknowledgments Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2018 Concordia Publishing House. Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Quarter 4. Copyright 2018 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. 16