Worship at Sterne ark July 24, 2016-10:30 am Ascension Lutheran hurch Littleton, olorado Gathering Songs SHINE, JESUS, SHINE Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with love and mercy; Send forth your Word, Lord, and let there be light! TURN YOUR EYES UON JESUS Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. astoral Greeting Worship Song Father, I Adore You Father, I adore You, Lay my life before You, How I love You. Jesus, I adore You, Lay my life before You, How I love You. Spirit, I adore You, Lay my life before You, How I love You. Invocation-onfession-Absolution In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Generous God, Loving Lord, We, Your wayward children, confess that we are naturally selfish, greedy, and lustful. Thinking first of ourselves, we neglect to love and serve others, and we actively harm them by our self-centered choices. You promise in Your Word that You love sinners. So forgive us for Jesus sake, we pray. Fill us with Your generous Spirit that Your love for us would overflow into the lives of others. Beloved in hrist, the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, and His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness. Therefore, as a called and ordained servant of hrist 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. Amen.
raise Song Emmanuel Emmanuel, Emmanuel, His name is called Emmanuel. God is with us, revealed in us, His name is called Emmanuel. rayer of the Day The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, during His earthly ministry Your Son, Jesus, healed the sick and raised the dead. By the healing medicine of the Word and Sacraments pour into our hearts such love toward You that we may live eternally; through the same Jesus hrist, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. SERVIE OF THE WORD Old Testament: Genesis 18:(17-19) 20-33 (Then the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.) Then the LORD said, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know." The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. Then Abraham approached him and said: "Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" The LORD said, "If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake." Then Abraham spoke up again: "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?" "If I find forty-five there," he said, "I will not destroy it." Once again he spoke to him, "What if only forty are found there?" He said, "For the sake of forty, I will not do it." Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?" He answered, "I will not do it if I find thirty there." Abraham said, "Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?" He said, "For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it." Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it." When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home. L The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!
Epistle: olossians 2:6-15 (16-19) So then, just as you received hrist Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on hrist. For in hrist all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in hrist, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by hrist, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with hrist. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in hrist. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.) L The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! ongregation, please stand. The Holy Gospel: Luke 11:1-13 The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the eleventh chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: " `Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' " Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, `Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks
finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" The Gospel of the Lord. raise to You, O hrist. Hymn of the Day Seek Ye First Seek ye first the kingdom of God, And His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto you! Allelu, alleluia! Ask and it shall be given unto you, Seek and ye shall find, Knock and the door shall be opened unto you, Allelu, alleluia! Man does not live by bread alone, But by ev ry word That proceeds from the mouth of the Lord, Allelu, alleluia! Sermon God, Tell Me About Dying ASTOR LARSON Text: Genesis 3:17-19 The Apostles reed I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus hrist, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under ontius ilate, 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. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy hristian hurch, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. rayer of the hurch Let us pray for the whole people of God in hrist Jesus, and for all people according to their needs. For those among us whose faith is strong, that we might have ample opportunity to witness and to share our faith in hrist with others, let us pray to the Lord: For those among us whose faith is weak, that we might find in Your Word the Holy Spirit s faith-strengthening influence, let us pray to the Lord:
For those whom we name in our hearts who have no faith in Jesus [pause for prayerful reflection], that they would experience a change of heart and mind through the Holy Spirit active in Word and witness, let us pray to the Lord: For our president, congressmen and women, and ambassadors, that God would guide them in their service to this nation, let us pray to the Lord: For the sorrowful, that they would find in Jesus hope during their time of loss, let us pray to the Lord: For the unemployed, that God would provide for their needs of body and soul until work becomes available to them, let us pray to the Lord: For the sick, that God would bring healing according to His will for each person whom we name before Him [especially ], let us pray to the Lord: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus hrist, our Lord. Amen. Sharing of the eace The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. You may now greet one another saying...eace be with you Offertory Song Jesus, Name Above All Names Jesus, name above all names, beautiful Savior, glorious Lord. Emmanuel, God is with us, blessed Redeemer, Living Word. Jesus, loving Shepherd, Vine of the branches, Son of God; rince of eace, Wonderful counselor, Lord of the universe, Light of the world. Offertory rayer Let us pray, Heavenly Father, receive these gifts, symbols of the time, abilities, and resources we place at Your disposal in thanks for Your eternal grace, mercy, and peace. Receive them for the sake of Your Son, Jesus hrist our Lord. Amen.
THE 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 for His glory. We give thanks; we rejoice in His presence. He walked among us, a man, on our earth, in our world of conflict, and commanded us to remember his death, his death which gives us life; and to wait for him until he comes again in glory. We remember his death, we live by his presence, and we wait for his coming. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, Drink of 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 in remembrance of me. Thereafter remembering his death, believing his presence, now, in this place, we obey his command; we await the gift of himself. ome, Lord Jesus, come. Send down on us, O Father, the spirit of life and power, glory, and love, that in this Holy ommunion we may be made one with him, and he with us, and that we may remain faithful members of his heavenly kingdom. Now with all the faith ful who ever were, and are, and will be, with all creation in all time, we say: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty, all space and time show forth your glory, now and always. Amen. The Lord s rayer 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. THE REETION & DISTRIBUTION The Lord, our Host, invites to his Supper those who are baptized into the hristian faith, confess him as Savior, have examined themselves, truly repent of sins, believe the Risen Lord is present in the sacrament with his true body and blood, and resolve to live faithfully and obediently. For those with an intolerance to alcohol, the center ring of the tray contains grape juice. Gluten free wafers are available to those with wheat allergies. hildren who have not been instructed, yet desire a blessing, are invited to come forward with arms crossed. ome, for the Supper is ready! When receiving the bread and wine, the communicant may respond with Amen!, a word of affirmation and belief.
SIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me, Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. OMMUNE WITH ME ommune with me, commune with me between the wings of the cherubim, commune with me. ommune with me, commune with me between the wings of the cherubim, commune with me. I worship you, I worship you between the wings of the cherubim, I worship you. I worship you, I worship you between the wings of the cherubim, I worship you. I ll meet You there, I ll meet You there between the wings of the cherubim, I ll meet You there. I ll meet You there, I ll meet You there between the wings of the cherubim, I ll meet You there. LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER Let us break bread together on our knees, Let us break bread together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us drink wine together on our knees, Let us drink wine together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. Let us praise God together on our knees, Let us praise God together on our knees. When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O Lord, have mercy on me. ommunion Benediction The body and blood of our Lord Jesus hrist strengthen you and keep you in his grace. Amen.
ost ommunion rayer We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus hrist our Lord. Amen. Benediction 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. Amen. Benediction Song He s Got the Whole World in His Hands He s got the whole world in His hands; He s got the whole world in His hands; He s got the whole world in His hands; He s got the whole world in His hands. He s got the wind and the rain in His hands; He s got the wind and the rain in His hands; He s got the wind and the rain in His hands; He s got the whole world in His hands. He s got the tiny little baby in His hands; He s got the tiny little baby in His hands; He s got the tiny little baby in His hands; He s got the whole world in His hands. He s got you and me brother in His hands; He s got you and me sister in His hands; He s got you and me brother in His hands; He s got the whole world in His hands. ongregational oncerns Go in peace. Serve the Lord. Thanks be to God! Serving in Worship OFFIIANT and ELEBRANT The Rev. John R. Larson, astor ELDER Bill Redden RAISE TEAM LETOR Mike Reimnitz SERVER Denise Lucero ALTAR GUILD Joyce Dowdy, hyllis Mconnell, Barb Williamson FLOWERS arol Mickelson, in loving memory of Ron LI License #1903595