ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH Confirmation Sunday May 12 th, 2013
ANNOUNCEMENTS ALTAR FLOWERS are given by Paul, Nancy, and Rachel Klemash, in honor of Andrew s college graduation, and by Roxanne Burgh, in honor of all mothers. An additional Altar Flower arrangement was given to the Glory of God by Sydney Harris' grandparents in honor of Sydney and her classmates Confirmation today. Congratulations to Josiah Ackerman, John Eckels, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Grant Geregach, Sydney Harris, and Christopher Yellig. ETERNAL LIGHT is given by Kathleen and Wayne Conn, in honor of their mothers, Norma Lynch, Penny Conn, and Godmother Lois Dittmer. ADULT BIBLE CLASS. Come join us in the Fellowship Hall for our study on 2 Corinthians. Class begins at 9:30, following the early service and time for fellowship, coffee and doughnuts. INTERESTED IN JOINING ZION? If you are interested in becoming a member of Zion, or simply want to know more about what we believe, teach and confess, please contact Pastor Duncan or the Church Office. We d love to share more about who we are and, more importantly, who Jesus is and what he has done for you!! FOOD BANK item of the month is Picnic Condiments. Please leave your Food Bank Items in the entryway to the Sanctuary this morning. Thanks for your support of the Bridgeville Food Bank! NURSERY!!! Located downstairs, you can listen to the service and keep your little ones entertained with the many toys we have for them there. The nursery is also staffed during the Bible Study hour for your convenience. SAVE THE DATE Lutheran Women s Missionary League (LWML) would like you to join them in Pittsburgh on June 27-30, 2013 for their national convention. CALM. If you missed our meeting last Sunday but would like to know more about our Mission Trip this summer, please contact Pastor Duncan as soon as possible! MEN S BIBLE BREAKFAST will continue to meet on Saturday at 8:00am. As the name implies, we will study the Bible and eat breakfast. Come casual, hungry, and ready to discuss God s Word! SOFTBALL. The Zion Lions have a game this Wednesday at 8:15 at the McLaughlin Run field. We are the home team this week! Come out and support YOUR Softball team!! FREE CAR WASH AND DETAIL! Our 4 th Free Car Wash and Detail will be on May 18 th from 10-2. We need volunteers! A sign-up sheet is located in the entryway to the sanctuary. We will also need cars. Lots of volunteers and lots of dirty cars. VBS We are getting ready to rock at Kingdom Rock VBS!! But we need just a few more volunteers (from 7th grade to adult) to help lead crews from station to station. Please see the signup sheet in the narthex to volunteer. And don't forget to mark your calendars for our BIG Crew Leader meeting and FREE t-shirt pick up on Monday, June 3rd from 6:30-7:30pm! NEXT SUNDAY, May 19, Zion will be honoring the service of two dedicated employees of our church. Mrs. Paula Gardner has served as Zion s Organist and Choir Director for 25 years; Mrs. Barb Oechslein has served as Preschool Teacher at Zion for 20 years. Join us as we honor the service of both ladies with a breakfast reception between worship services beginning at 9:15 next Sunday. Please note: there will be no Sunday School next Sunday since the reception will take place during this time. 2
Welcome to worship! A very special welcome to those who are here supporting our six Confirmands. It is good that you are here, supporting our young adults as they make bold declarations and promises that stem from their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I d like to encourage you to continue to pray for our Confirmands as they fight the good fight and live out daily what they will profess here today. As you know, the life of faith is hard temptations to sin and challenges to the faith abound. Pray for them. Encourage them in their Christian faith as they encounter the grown-up world in many ways for the first time. Being here today, you are lending them the kind of support they will need for many years to come. Also, a special word of welcome to the Liersemann family, who are in town for the baptism of Claire. Pastor Paul Liersemann (LCMS) will be assisting with the baptism. We are excited to see God at work, claiming another child as his own, and giving the gifts of forgiveness, life and salvation through Christ by baptism. And a very special welcome to the mothers who are worshiping at Zion this morning! Our nation has set aside this day to remember and honor the God-given vocation you have been called to. God continue to give you skill and joy as you carry out your motherly duties. And patience And to our Confirmands: you have reached an important milestone in your Christian faith; a time when you stand on your own two feet and profess your faith in God Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus, and the eternal salvation you have been given as a free gift on account of him. Your journey of faith began when you were baptized and will continue until you see your Lord Jesus face-to-face. You have the prayers and support of the people of this church. We want to see your faith grow and you mature in it. We are honored to be witnesses to the profession of faith you will make today. God continue to be with and bless you as you live out the life of faith you have been given. -Pastor Duncan Rev. Duncan McLellan, Pastor Darren Eliker, Pastoral Assistant Pastor s Phone: 412-667-0967 Office Phone: 412-221-4776 Website: www.zlcb.org Fax: 412-221-4780 3
The Divine Service (Please take a moment to fill out the Attendance books. If you are visiting us this morning and would like to be contacted by the church, please indicate so in the Attendance Book. We are glad you chose to worship at Zion this morning!) Introduction to Worship and Announcements Opening Hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 657 The Invocation Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Confession of Sins Pastor: People: This morning, we welcome Claire Liersemann into the family of God. We also rejoice in the profession of faith made by six of our young adults. God is at work at Zion. And God is also at work in our lives. Sadly, however, we have pushed God away when he wants to come in; we have said No when God has said Yes ; we have taken matters into our own hands when God has said, Trust me. And so we come before the foot of the cross and ask God, on account of our Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive us. Merciful Lord, once again come into your house having made a mess of things in the last week. We have hurt those we love and brought shame to you by appearing hypocritical in the eyes of the world preaching what we do not practice, and failing to show the same mercy and compassion to others as you have shown to us. We ask that you would forgive us. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask for your pardon and the peace that only you can give. Have mercy and hear us, O Lord, God of our salvation. 4
Absolution Spoken by the Pastor People: Amen. Response to Absolution: This Is the Feast 155 Refrain: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. Refrain. Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His. Refrain. Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. Refrain. For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia. Refrain. The Prayer of the Church Pastor: People: (Please be seated) Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer. The Baptism of Claire Liersemann (8:00) The Rite of Confirmation (10:30) Josiah Ackerman John Eckels Jennifer Fitzgerald Grant Geregach Sydney Harris Christopher Yellig The Service of the Word The Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 5
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. The New Testament Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-7 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, 6
dwells in you as well. For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (Please stand) People: Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia! Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 6 th Chapter. People: Glory to you, O Lord. The Gospel Reading: John 6:51-69 [Jesus said,] I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? So Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. When many of his disciples heard it, they said, This is a hard saying; who can listen to it? But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe. (For Jesus knew from the beginning who 7
those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father. After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, Do you want to go away as well? Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God. Pastor: People: (Please be seated) This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. The Sermon Hymn: Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus 685 Sermon (Please stand) The Apostles Creed 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 everlasting. Amen. 8
(Please be seated) The Collection of the Offering Choir Anthem (10:30) (Please stand) Pastor: People: Pastor: People: The Service of the Sacrament The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray. 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 Words of Institution Pastor: People: The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. The Sharing of the Peace The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) 163 Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace. (Please be seated until it is your time to commune.) The Distribution We welcome to the Lord s Table all who have been baptized in the name of the Triune God, can examine themselves spiritually and believe they receive the true body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and as a profession of their faith. If you hold a profession of faith that differs from that of our congregation, please speak to the Pastor before the start of the service before communing. We believe the body and blood of Christ are truly present in the bread and wine. We believe Christ offers the forgiveness of sins in the Lord s Supper, but that the Lord s Supper is not necessary for salvation. We believe the Lord s Supper remembers the death of Christ and proclaims his death until he returns. 9
We believe the Lord s Supper is a statement of unity in the body of Christ; we do not believe it creates that unity. During the distribution, you are encouraged to sing the Distribution Hymns, pray, or meditate on the words this is my body this is my blood, given for you. The cups at the center of the Individual Communion tray contain diluted wine for those with alcohol sensitivities. Distribution Hymns Thine Forever, God of Love 687 Soul, Adorn Yourself with Gladness 636 Glorious Things of You Are Spoken 648 (Please stand) Doxology (8:00)Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow 805 Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen Benediction spoken by the Pastor People: Amen The Recessional: Fight the Good Fight 664 Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 10
Service Participants The Officiant: The Rev. Duncan McLellan Pastoral Assistant Darren Eliker The Organist: Paula Gardner The Elders: Ken Wuerthele and Jim Neill The Acolytes: Anthony Vallelunga (8:00) Mitchell Fitzgerald (10:30) The Greeters: David and Mary Hutula (8:00) Dick and Carolyn Wible (10:30) The Ushers: Kathleen Conn, Bill Schrag, and Larry and Janet Zreliak (8:00) Neil Ackerman, Sam Dragan, and John and Kari Gresh (10:30) Altar Guild: Barbara Oechslein, Megan Pasquini and Diane Schmidt Last Week in Worship Sunday Worship Attendance (5/5) 201 Voters Meeting Attendance (5/5) 50 Offerings $7,368 11
Week of May 12-19, 2013 SUNDAY 5/12 Mother s Day Confirmation Sunday MONDAY 5/13 TUESDAY 5/14 WEDNESDAY 5/15 THURSDAY 5/16 FRIDAY 5/17 SATURDAY 5/18 SUNDAY 5/19 8:00 AM Worship w/communion 9:15 AM Sunday School and Bible Class 10:30AM Worship w/ Communion, Confirmation 8:50AM Staff Devotions 7:00PM Bible Study (Conference Room) 10:00AM Bible Study (Conference Room) 7:00PM Choir (Choir Loft) 7:30PM Church Council (Conference Room) 8:00AM Men s Bible Breakfast 9:00AM Car Wash Set-up 10:00AM Free Car Wash, Detail and Food 8:00AM Worship w/communion 9:15AM Sunday School and Bible Class 10:30AM Worship w/ Communion 12