DAY OF THANKSGIVING November 23, 2017 10:00 AS WE GATHER Gratitude does not depend on what is given or what is received. Gratitude is an attitude of the heart. One with a grateful heart stops immediately. Nothing else can go on until thanksgiving is expressed. That is what we see in the one leper who is healed. He cannot go back to his old life, nor can he begin his new life until he returns to Jesus, the source of healing, and offers Him thanks and praise. Our nation has been richly blessed by God. Each of us has received mercies new every morning. The key to contentment and peace is neither the abundance of gifts nor an absence, but a heart that returns thanks to the source of those gifts. Today we pause to do that, as a nation, as a people, and as Christians. PRELUDE RINGING OF THE BELLS - We Prepare our hearts and minds for worship WELCOME THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION PREPARATION In many ways, this proclamation, made by President Abraham Lincoln, set the precedent for America s National Day of Thanksgiving. (Please Stand) The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.... No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. Today, we join in giving thanks and praise to our loving heavenly Father. PROCESSIONAL HYMN Now Thank We All Our God LSB 895 Now thank we all our God With hearts and hands and voices, Who wondrous things has done, In whom His world rejoices; Who from our mothers arms Has blest us on our way With countless gifts of love And still is ours today. 1
Oh, may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us And keep us in His grace And guide us when perplexed And free us from all ills In this world and the next! All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven, The one eternal God, Whom earth and heav n adore; For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore. INVOCATION In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. OPENING SENTENCES Psalm 67:5 7 Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him! CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Deuteronomy 8:6 So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in His ways and by fearing Him. We recognize today that we have broken the Lord s commandments. Rather than be thankful, we have been greedy and unsatisfied with the many blessings we have received from our heavenly Father. As people who are by nature sinful and unclean, we have coveted our neighbor s house, wife, and other possessions. We confess today our lack of contentment and all sin. Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen. Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. WORD HYMN OF PRAISE Sing to the Lord of Harvest LSB 893, v. 1 & 2 Sing to the Lord of harvest, Sing songs of love and praise; With joyful hearts and voices Your alleluias raise. By Him the rolling seasons In fruitful order move; Sing to the Lord of harvest A joyous song of love. 2
God makes the clouds rain goodness, The deserts bloom and spring, The hills leap up in gladness, The valleys laugh and sing. God fills them with His fullness, All things with large increase; He crowns the year with blessing, With plenty and with peace. SALUTATION The Lord be with you. And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Almighty God, Your mercies are new every morning, and You graciously provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your goodness, give thanks for Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience all our days; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Please be Seated) OLD TESTAMENT READING Deuteronomy 8:1 10 ( Man does not live on bread alone. ) 1 "The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. 3 And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. 6 So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, 9 a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM Psalm 67 Women: May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations. 3
Men: Women: Men: All: Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear Him! 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. EPISTLE 1Timothy 2:1-4 (We give thanks for freedom and good government, and we pray for those in authority.) 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Lector: This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL VERSE Praise and Thanksgiving LSB 789, v. 1 Praise and thanksgiving, Father, we offer For all things living, Created good: Harvest of sown fields, Fruits of the orchard, Hay from the mown fields, Blossom and wood. HOLY GOSPEL Luke 17:11 19 (Jesus heals the ten lepers.) The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the seventeenth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. When He saw them He said to them, Go and show yourselves to the priests. 4
And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? And He said to him, Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well. This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. GOSPEL VERSE Praise and Thanksgiving LSB 789, v. 2 Father, providing Food for Your children, By Your wise guiding Teach us to share One with another, So that, rejoicing With us, all others May know Your care. CREED - CATECHISM The First Article I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. What does this mean? I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true. (Please be Seated) HYMN OF THE DAY We Praise You, O God LSB 785 We praise You, O God, our Redeemer, Creator; In grateful devotion our tribute we bring. We lay it before You, we kneel and adore You; We bless Your holy name, glad praises we sing. We worship You, God our fathers, we bless You; Through trial and tempest our guide You have been. When perils o ertake us, You will not forsake us, And with Your help, O Lord, our struggles we win. With voices united our praises we offer And gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise. With You, Lord, beside us, Your strong arm will guide us. To You, our great Redeemer, forever be praise! 5
SERMON (Please Stand) PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. For the country in which we live and work, that our land would turn to Christ in praise and thanksgiving for all His blessings and mercies, let us pray to the Lord. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings throughout our land! For the Church and her faithful witness throughout the world, that all who serve our Savior may make Him known in word and action, let us pray to the Lord. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings in Your Church on earth! For all who lead others in our homes and workplaces, that our vocations may be opportunities to serve the One who served us all, let us pray to the Lord. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings in our homes and workplaces! For Ascension, that our sharing in the Eucharist of Christ Jesus may always lead us to praise and thanksgiving, let us pray to the Lord. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings in the life of our congregation! For all who come to the Lord for healing, [especially...], that they may experience the healing work of Jesus and always turn to Him in thanksgiving and worship, let us pray to the Lord. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings of healing us in body and in soul! (Special Petitions) For these and all other needs we have both spoken and unspoken that we may boldly pray as children in the presence of our loving Father, let us pray to the Lord. Thank You, Lord, for Your many blessings of answered prayers! Amen. (Please Be Seated) (Please Stand) GATHERING OF OFFERINGS OFFERTORY Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart LSB 806 Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He s given Jesus Christ His Son. Give thanks with a grateful heart, Give thanks to the Holy One. Give thanks because He s given Jesus Christ His Son. And now let the weak say I am strong, Let the poor say I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. And now let the weak say I am strong, Let the poor say I am rich, Because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks, give thanks. 6
SACRAMENT The Lord s Supper is celebrated at Ascension in the confession that, as He says, our Lord gives not only bread and wine but His very body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with Him and one another. Our Lord invites to His table those who trust His words, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as He forgives and loves us. All those who are not yet instructed, in doubt or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the Sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor. PREFACE The Lord be with you. [2 Timothy 4:22 And also with you. Lift up your hearts. [Colossians 3:1] We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. [Psalm 136] It is right to give Him thanks and praise. PROPER PREFACE It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, for You have been gracious to us and blessed us not only with our daily bread, but also by making known to us the One who is the Bread of Life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing: SANCTUS LSB 208 Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth adored; Heav n and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name. Sing hosanna in the highest, sing hosanna to the Lord; Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord! THE WORDS OF OUR LORD Matthew 26:26 28; Mark 14:22 24; Luke 22:19 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23 25 LORD S PRAYER (Matthew 6:9 13) The Fourth Petition With thanksgiving, we pray the prayer Jesus taught us. Give us this day our daily bread. What does this mean? God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving. Amen. THE PEACE OF THE LORD The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen. 7
AGNUS DEI LSB 210 O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, You take the sin of the world away; O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray. O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, You take the sin of the world away; Have mercy on us, Jesus Christ, And grant us peace, O Lord, we pray. (Please Be Seated) DISTRIBUTION HYMNS Come, Ye Thankful People, Come LSB 892 Come, Ye thankful people, come; Raise the song of harvest home. All be safely gathered in Ere the winter storms begin; God, our maker, doth provide For our wants to be supplied. Come to God s own temple, come; Raise the song of harvest home. All the world is God s own field, Fruit unto His praise to yield; Wheat and tares together sown, Unto joy or sorrow grown. First the blade then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear. Lord of harvest, grant that we Wholesome grain and pure may be. For the Lord, our God, shall come And shall take His harvest home, From His field shall in that day All offenses purge away, Give His angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast But the fruitful ears to store In His garner evermore. Even so, Lord, quickly come To Thy final harvest home; Gather Thou Thy people in, Free from sorrow, free from sin, There, forever purified, In Thy garner to abide: Come with all Thine angels, come, Raise the glorious harvest home. Great is Thy Faithfulness LSB 809 Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be. REFRAIN: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. REFRAIN Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! REFRAIN 8
How Great Thou Art LSB 801 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hand hath made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy pow r throughout the universe displayed; REFRAIN: Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee, How great Thou art! How great Thou art! When through the woods and forest glades I wander, I hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; REFRAIN But when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in That on the cross my burden gladly bearing He bled and died to take away my sin; REFRAIN When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration And there proclaim: My God, how great Thou art! REFRAIN (Please Stand) THE DOXOLOGY Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow LSB 805 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav nly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. BENEDICTION Based on Psalm 113:3; Philippians 4:6 7 From the rising of the sun to its setting, may the name of the Lord be praised. Without anxiety or fear, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, offer Your requests to God. And may the peace of God which surpasses all our understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The blessing of almighty God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit remain with you now and forever. Amen. CLOSING HYMN Rejoice O Pilgrim Throng LSB 813, v. 1, 2, 6 & 7 Rejoice, O pilgrim throng! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing; Your festal banner wave on high, The cross of Christ your king. 9
REFRAIN: Rejoice! Rejoice! Rejoice, give thanks, and sing! With voice as full and strong As ocean s surging praise, Send forth the sturdy hymns of old, The psalms of ancient days. REFRAIN At last the march shall end; The wearied ones shall rest; The pilgrims find their home at last, Jerusalem the blest. REFRAIN Praise Him who reigns on high, The Lord whom we adore: The Father, Son and Holy Ghost, One God forevermore. REFRAIN POSTLUDE Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series B, Part 4. Copyright 2015 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Part 4. Copyright 2017 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Text 2015 Ascension Lutheran Church. Used by permission. LSBHymnLicense.net #100012046 MINISTRY OF MUSIC: Gabe Maichel, organist ACOLYTES: Sophia LaBrier, Will Maxfield WORSHIP NOTES ALTAR FLOWERS: The flowers that grace our altar this Thanksgiving Day are given by: Doug & Nancy Pftzinger with thanks to God for many blessings and to wish Barbara Happy Birthday Bill Thompson in thankfulness for many blessings received ALTAR GUILD: Jan Pendleton ELDERS: Gene Bockelmann, JackPendleton USHERS: Rob Bremer, Jacob Bremer, Jonathan Gibbs, Jack Pendleton; 10
ASKING A BLESSING AND RETURNING THANKS The following prayers are contained in Luther s Small Catechism as ways to ask for a pre-meal blessing and return thanks following the meal. Consider incorporating these as part of your Thanksgiving celebration. Asking a Blessing The children and members of the household shall go to the table reverently, fold their hands, and say: The eyes of all look to You, [O Lord,] and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15 16) Then shall be said the Lord s Prayer and the following: Lord God, heavenly Father, bless us and these Your gifts which we receive from Your bountiful goodness, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Returning Thanks Also, after eating, they shall, in like manner, reverently and with folded hands say: Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever. [He] gives food to every creature. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. (Psalm 136:1, 25; 147:9 11) Then shall be said the Lord s Prayer and the following: We thank You, Lord God, heavenly Father, for all Your benefits, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 11
2017 ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE WEDNESDAY ADVENT SERVICES December 6, 13, 20, 2017 7:00 pm in church Supper 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall 12/6(sponsored by Ascension Sr.Youth) 12/13 Chili (sponsored by Ascension Womens Evening Guild) 12/20 (TBD) ADVENT BY CANDLELIGHT Sunday, December 3, 2017 6:30 pm Fellowship - 7:00 pm Devotions LIVE NATIVITY Saturday, December 16, 2017 5:00 pm 9:00 pm on church lawn (NO Saturday service) SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS SERVICE Sunday, December17, 2017, 11:00 am WORD OF LIFE LUTHERAN SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT Sunday, December10, 2017 2:00 pm in school gym CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE Sunday, December 24, 2017 4:00 pm & 6:00 pm CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION SERVICE Sunday, December 24, 2017 11:00 pm CHRISTMAS DAY COMMUNION SERVICE Monday, December 25, 2017 10:00 am NEW YEAR S EVE COMMUNION SERVICES Sunday, December 31, 2017, 8:15 am & 11:00 am (Please note: there will not be a 5:00 pm service since New Year s Eve falls on a Sunday.) 12