FIRST LIGHT Holy Communion at the break of day Autumn 2015 September 20, 2015
Welcome! Everyone is welcome. As a community of the people of God, the members of Central Lutheran Church are called to welcome all people regardless of age, economic status, ethnic background, gender, physical or mental ability, race or sexual orientation. We affirm that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male or female (Galatians 3:28). Christ has made us one. Guests are welcome. We are pleased you are worshiping with us today. We invite guests to complete the Welcome to Central card found in the pew racks and leave it with an usher or place it in the offering plate. If you would like more information about Central, please contact us at 612-870-4416, or email info@centralmpls.org. Children are welcome at all services. Worship bulletins for children and activity bags are available at Sanctuary entrances. If you would prefer to use Central s nursery (available for children ages four and younger), you will find it up the steps from the information desk at the South Entrance (across from the fellowship hall). An usher or greeter will be glad to assist you. Welcome to the Lord s Table. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome at Holy Communion. Please follow the guidance of the ushers and instructions in the order of service. During communion, ministers will bring bread and wine to persons in designated access seating areas. Communion may be received in one kind (only bread or only wine) from any station if wheat bread or alcohol presents a health concern. Gluten-free breads and alcohol-free wine are available by request at most liturgies from most communion stations. Welcome to the Holy Baptism. All who come seeking Jesus are welcome to receive Holy Baptism. Please visit with any worship leader, staff member, hospitality volunteer, contact the church office, or complete an information card, indicating that you wish to be baptized. A pastor will contact you. Friends of Central Stay connected Across the country and beyond there are many people who have a soft spot in their heart for Central Lutheran Church people who feel a connection both to the history and the ongoing mission of this congregation. If you re one of them, we invite you to join a new network of Friends of Central. Pick up a brochure or visit our website for more information or to join. Digital giving is available at Central. You can go online through Central s website at www.centralmpls.org and click on Donate to our Mission. If you give electronically, use the green pew card to drop in the offering plate instead of an envelope. Central Lutheran is supported by givers like you. Questions? Contact the church office at 612-870-4416. The shape of this service takes its inspiration from Easter dawn, the Church s daily pattern and Luther s admonition when we rise to begin the day to wash our face and remember our baptism : In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the sign of the holy cross and say: God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen. Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles Creed and the Lord s Prayer. If you wish, you may in addition recite this little prayer as well; [Luther s morning prayer]; After singing a hymn perhaps or whatever else may serve your devotion, you are to go to your work joyfully. (Small Catechism) 2
FIRST LIGHT Holy Communion at the break of day Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015 + 8:30 am Prediction of the passion A shoot springs from barren ground and grows into a great tree Today we hear James warn against selfish ambition, while the disciples quarrel over which one of them is the greatest. Jesus tells them the way to be great is to serve. Then, to make it concrete, he puts in front of them an actual flesh-and-blood child. We are called to welcome the particular children God puts in front of us, to make room for them in daily interaction, and to give them a place of honor in the assembly. We Gather to Begin the Day Anew in Baptism PRELUDE Nordic Lament David P. Dahl The worship leaders greet the assembly as they arrive. At the sound of the bell the assembly stands and gathers around the baptismal font. 3
Martin Luther s Morning Prayer concludes the Gathering. PROCESSIONAL HYMN (hymn) 557 Awake, My Soul stanzas 1, 2 & 4 Worship leaders move from the font to the place of the Word. We Listen to God s Word WELCOME Welcome in the name of Jesus, the savior of the world CHILDREN S WORD Children are invited to come forward; parents are welcome to come with their children. 4
READING The prophet led like a lamb to slaughter Jeremiah 11:18-20 Today s reading tells of the suffering of the prophet Jeremiah, who announced God s word to Judah but was met with intense opposition and persecution. Jeremiah continues to trust in God in the midst of his suffering. It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew; then you showed me their evil deeds. 19 But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. And I did not know it was against me that they devised schemes, saying, Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered! 20 But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously, who try the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have committed my cause. The promise of God for all. Thanks be to God. READING The wisdom from above James 3:13 4:3, 7-8a The wisdom God gives unites our hearts and minds. Instead of living to satisfy our own wants and desires, we manifest this wisdom in peace, gentleness, mercy, and impartiality toward others. Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. 4:1 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes 5
and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. The promise of God for all. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL Prediction of the passion Mark 9:30-37 The assembly stands to welcome the gospel, singing: Jesus teaching and action in this text are directed to the church whenever it is seduced by the world s definition of greatness: prestige, power, influence, and money. The antidote to such a concern for greatness is servanthood. The holy gospel according to Mark. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus and the disciples went on and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again. 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, What were you arguing about on the way? 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. 6
SERMON silence follows for reflection and meditation HYMN OF THE DAY Children of the Heavenly Father (hymn) 781 sung in English, stanzas 2 & 3 in harmony PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE Each prayer petition concludes: Hear us O God. The assembly responds: Your mercy is great. The prayer appointed for the day concludes these prayers: O God, our teacher and guide, you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children. Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition, that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. We Feast around the Table of the Lord PEACE The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. The assembly is invited to share the peace of Christ with one another. GATHERING OF GIFTS When bread and wine are shared in Christ s name an offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. During this time the table is set. After the offering is gathered, bread, wine, money, and other gifts are brought forward. The assembly stands as the procession reaches the altar. How Great Thou Art arr. Sam Cardon 7
Worship leaders move to the place of the Meal. The assembly prays over their gifts. Let us pray together. God of majesty, you have created all things, and you entrust to our care what you have made. Receive our offerings, and make them a sign of our dedication to provide for the needs of all people and creatures, in the name of the one who sustains all things by his word, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. GREAT THANKSGIVING The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. The presider continues with the Great Thanksgiving, concluding: Lord s Prayer (1975) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen. Breaking of the Bread & Invitation to the Table 8
Communion All who come seeking Jesus are welcome to receive these gifts of God. Communion at this service is served standing at stations. Please follow the directions of the worship leaders. Grape juice and gluten-free bread are available upon request. Children are welcome to receive communion or a blessing. Adoration Felix Borowski silence for reflection concludes the Communion Prayer after Communion We give you thanks, O God, that you welcome us to your table and satisfy our deepest hunger and thirst. By your gifts of word and holy meal, strengthen us to take up the cross as we go about our callings in this world, following after Jesus Christ, our servant Lord. Amen. Post-Communion Canticle (hymn) 201 Now, Lord Worship leaders move to the exit. The assembly turns to face the leaders during the canticle. We Are Sent to be God s Hands in the World BLESSING now and forever. Amen. Go in peace. Share the good news. Thanks be to God. 9
POSTLUDE Slott fra Malmedal (Fiddle Dance) David P. Dahl Serving Today Pastor D. Foy Christopherson, presiding Pastor Peter Nycklemoe, preaching Julie Anderson, assisting minister Dick Shinofield, reader Cantor Mark Sedio, organist/pianist Sven Rønning, violinist Michael Dee, life passages coordinator, crucifer Peter Nycklemoe, vocalist Mark Kieffer, sound operator Lois Steer & Larry Peterson, Eunice Dietrich, those with September & October birthdays, greeters & hosts Bob Tufford, lead usher for September Richard Stegall, Bruce Bergeson, Bill Masche, sacristans We welcome violinist Svend Rønning to our worship services this morning. Dr. Rønning is the head of the string department at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Chancel flowers today are given by Audrey Grote in loving memory of her parents birthdays. If you wish to donate flowers contact Judy Korogi 10 days in advance at 612-788-1288. Some material from Sundays and Seasons.com. 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #26515. 10
Dwelling in the Word Do you detect any significant differences between this passion prediction and the other two in Mark s gospel? (See Mark 8:31 & 10:32-34) Have you ever known someone who expressed a "death wish"? How did that work out? People always argue about who is most important. Jesus said the first must be last and servant of all. How does this work out in your life? Jesus makes the point by telling his apostles -- and us -- to welcome children in his name. How does this work out in your life? This service is evolving. Tell us what you think as we work to develop this FIRST LIGHT service together. Your feedback is welcome. 11
Commemorations this Week September 20 Nelson Wesley Trout, bishop, died 1996 A native of Ohio, Trout served parishes in several parts of the United States before being elected bishop of the South Pacific District of the American Lutheran Church, the first African American Lutheran to serve in such a capacity. September 21 MATTHEW, APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST Matthew (or Levi) was a tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government. Tax collectors were frequently despised for dishonesty and for assisting the occupiers. Jesus nevertheless showed love for them, and chose Matthew to be a disciple. CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH Exploring the promise of God for all 333 South Twelfth Street Minneapolis, MN 55404 612-870-4416 www.centralmpls.org COME & SEE 12