CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY WELCOME TO WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD November 26, 2017 9:00 am GATHERING WELCOME CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism) Blessed be God: Father, Son, + and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen. Let us confess our sin, asking God to forgive us. (silence for meditation and reflection) Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you and have resisted Christ s reign in our hearts, minds, and lives. Have mercy on us and forgive us, good Lord. We have often failed to do the good we know is right and have done the evil we know is wrong; there is no excuse for our sin. Have mercy on us and forgive us, good Lord. Lord, You know well our sins even the secret sins of our hearts. We are truly sorry for all our sins and seek your help to amend our sinful lives. Have mercy on us, good Lord. According to your steadfast love, cleanse us from our sin, relieve us from the weight of its guilt, and guide us to know and delight in doing your will, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. 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 servant of the Word I therefore announce to you the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 1
PROCESSIONAL HYMN Rejoice, the Lord is King GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to serve the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen SERVICE OF THE WORD FIRST READING Ezekiel 34:11 16, 20 24 11 For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As shepherds seek out their flocks when they are among their scattered sheep, so I will seek out my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places to which they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited parts of the land. 14 I will feed them with good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel shall be their pasture; there they shall lie down in good grazing land, and they shall feed on rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord GOD. 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, but the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them with justice. 20 Therefore, thus says the Lord GOD to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, 22 I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep. 23 I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. 24 And I, the LORD, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the LORD, have spoken. 2
PSALMODY Psalm 95 Come, Oh, Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord All sing refrain in unison All sing refrain in canon Cantor sings verses All sing refrain in canon after each verse SECOND READING Ephesians 1:15 23 15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. 3
ALLELUIA VERSE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 25:31 46 The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 25 th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. 31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' 37 Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' 40 And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' 44 Then they also will answer, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' 45 Then he will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. CHILDREN S MESSAGE 4
HYMN OF THE DAY Lord Enthroned In Heavenly Splendor SERMON 5
APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, 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 catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen PRAYER (Response to each petition) We pray in hope, Make all things new. SHARING OF THE PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING OFFERTORY PRAYER Let us pray. We return to You, O God, only what you have first entrusted to us. Receive these gifts and offerings, symbols of the joy we find in serving you; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING God has put all things under Christ s feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Thanks and praise to you, heavenly Father, for you have placed all creation under the rule of your Son by whom all things were made. You sent him as a sacrifice for sin and have made him head over the Church. In this bread and wine, he comes to us in his body and blood to bring us into the kingdom of heaven which he opened for all believers. Therefore with the kingdom of grace on earth and with all the angels and saints in the kingdom of glory, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: 6
SANCTUS ( Holy, holy, holy ) WORDS OF INSTITUTION As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. LORD S PRAYER 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 INVITATION TO THE TABLE The reign of God is at hand. Come, taste the joy prepared for you. AGNUS DEI ( Lamb of God ) 7
COMMUNION DISTRIBUTION Scripture says, Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord s death until he comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther s Small Catechism says, Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink. All baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who share our belief in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord s Table today. Children who have not received their first communion are invited to come to the table and receive a blessing. As you approach the table down the aisles, receive an empty cup from the cart. Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar. After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace. As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right. Non-alcoholic wine is offered in pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack. Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who prefer this option. DISTRIBUTION SONGS Crown Him with Many Crowns 8
Jesus Shall Reign SENDING DISMISSAL The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace. Amen PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING Holy and compassionate God, in bread and wine you give us gifts that form us to be humble and courageous. May your words come to life in our serving and in our witness, that we might speak a living voice of healing to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer. 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 Go in peace. Christ lives in you. Thanks be to God. 9
CLOSING HYMN SERVING IN WORSHIP TODAY Worship leader and preacher Jon Marxhausen Elder Tom Schoenberg Piano Mary Dinesen Lector Franklin Hotzel Ushers Errol Bartz / Kathy Rehbein Acolyte/Crucifer Ella Fahey Greeter Barb Fallert DON T FORGET YOUR 3-MINUTE MINISTRY VOTERS ASSEMBLY Agenda items: Approval of 2018 Budget Proposed Amendment to By-Laws Vision Action Plan Update SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 at 10:15 am 10
WELCOME TO GRACE OF GOD Thank you for worshipping with us today. Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway. Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God. You are always welcome at Grace of God. GRACE OF GOD MISSION STATEMENT Grace of God is a Christ-centered community gathered around Word and Sacrament, preaching Christ crucified, serving our neighbor and discovering what it means to live under the grace of God. SMALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME IN WORSHIP AT GRACE OF GOD Busy bags for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors. That room X also has a speaker to hear the worship service. Fall 2017 Bible Study Series The Great Commissions Six Biblical Calls to Make Known the Gospel (from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and Paul) Study led by Pastor Steven King TODAY 10:15-11:15 am SERVING IN WORSHIP DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS 11/26/17 Tom Schoenberg Ella Fahey Franklin Hotzel Errol Bartz / Kathy Rehbein Barb Fallert 12/3/17 Tom Schoenberg TJ Richter Dan Evenson Allen & Sally Warren 12/6/17 Tom Schoenberg John Frelix Jill Olofson Bruce Gilman/ Jerry Corson 12/10/17 Allen Warren Jake Richter Heidi Zetterwall Franklin & Sue Hotzel 12/13/17 Allen Warren George Zetterwall Kathy Rehbein Jim & Jan Roth 11
November 26 December 3, 2017 Sunday, November 26 9:00 am CHRIST THE KING 10:15 am Fellowship Sunday School and Adult Bible Study Tuesday, November 28 9:30 am Ladies Bible Study 7:30 pm Cantate Choir Wednesday, November 29 Sunday, December 3 No classes tonight 9:00 am ADVENT 1 10:15 am Fellowship Sunday School (No Adult Bible Study) Upcoming opportunities to serve others in our community! During Advent we ll be sponsoring 5 families through Community Thread s Holiday Hope program. Beginning Sunday, November 26 you ll see in the fellowship area, a decorated Christmas tree with the gift options the families we sponsor have requested. Please consider purchasing one or more gifts for the families. The families always appreciate the gifts they receive! The 2018 dates we ll be serving at Hope for the Journey Home Family Shelter have been established. Please consider reserving time on your calendar now to help at the shelter. We ll be serving the weeks of January 14-January 20 and June 17-June 23. Watch for announcements regarding required safe environment training and background checks. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 Nov. 30 Dec. 2 Dec. 7-9 Dec. 14-16 CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE TEAM 9 Wendy Bartz/Errol & Cindy Bartz/ Eileen Ocone TEAM 10 Barb Fallert/Kathy Rehbein/Dean Christenson/Franklin Hotzel TEAM 1 Jon and Dawn Marxhausen/Martha and Tom Kaufenberg 12
NEW CHURCH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Grace of God is implementing a new church management software program called BREEZE. This software will help in managing the membership data and will be used by Pastor and all boards and committees for a variety of tasks. Over the next week or so you will receive an email from Lori Koeritzer (breezeadmin@graceofgodlutheran.com) inviting you to set up a member account. This will give you access to your data such as contact info, family members, etc. When you receive the email please do the following; 1. Check all the data to make sure it is correct. If it is incorrect or incomplete please update it including your birth year and anniversary year. 2. If you have adult children that have attended Grace of God they are going to be currently listed in your family group. It would be very helpful if you could add the correct phone, email, address, etc so the church has the most current contact information. 3. Feel free to add your picture to your profile. For those without an email address or who do not want to create a member account Lori will be verifying your data during the month of December. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact Lori Koeritzer at 651-226-8800; lkoerit01@gmail.com; breezeadmin@graceofgodlutheran.com. GRACE OF GOD LUTHERAN CHURCH 420 Hayward Avenue North Oakdale, Minnesota 55128 651.730.4900 www.graceofgodlutheran.com Jon Marxhausen, pastor 13