Make Them One as You and I Are One 7 th Sunday of Easter May 16 & 17, 2015
Ebenezer Lutheran Church Port Hudson The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 9100 Highway YY Leslie, Missouri Parsonage 573-459-6432 Church 573-459-6431 Rev. William F. Zastrow, Pastor Mary Sprick, Secretary ebenezerlutheran@hotmail.com ebenezerlutheranchurch.wordpress.com AS WE GATHER: The Easter season culminates in the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus; He prays for us, for our faith, for our unity, and for our mission of faith to the world. With Ascension just behind us, this prayer reminds us that Christ continues to address us and to speak on our behalf before the Father. He prays for our unity, for our endurance, and for our faithfulness. We still pray for these things every Sunday. His work is not complete in us, and He is still at work in us and through us. PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP: Almighty God, You chose Your servant Matthias to be numbered among the twelve apostles. You also chose us by the calling voice of Your Word and the saving water of our Baptism. Keep us as Your faithful people, whom You have chosen and set apart for Your glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. THE DIVINE SERVICE OPENING HYMN Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain LW 141 1. Come, ye faithful, raise the strain Of triumphant gladness; God hath brought His Israel 2
Into joy from sadness. 'Tis the spring of souls today: Christ hath burst His prison And from three days' sleep in death As a sun hath risen. 2. All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying From His light, to whom we give Laud and praise undying. Neither could the gates of death Nor the tomb's dark portal Nor the watchers nor the seal Hold Thee as a mortal. 3. But today amidst Thine own Thou didst stand, bestowing That Thy peace which evermore Passeth human knowing. Come, ye faithful, raise the strain Of triumphant gladness; God hath brought His Israel Into joy from sadness. INVOCATION In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION Let us come before God, to whom all hearts are open and from whom no secrets are hid, and 3
confess our sins in the name of Him who died and rose again to give us forgiveness and life. Silence for meditation and reflection. I confess that I have lived as if God did not matter and as if I mattered most. I have not honored my Lord s name as I should; my worship and prayer have faltered. I have not let His love have its way with me and my love for others has failed. There are many whom I have hurt and many whom I failed to help. My thoughts and desires are soiled with sin. I have sinned against God and against my brothers and sisters. There is no health in me. Except for the promise of Christ, I could not hope for reconciliation and peace. Forgive me, renew me, and lead me, O Lord, so that I may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. 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. INTROIT Psalm 27:1a, 4 5, 10, 14; antiphon: Psalm 27:7 All: Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? 4
KYRIE One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple. For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock. For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! 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. All: Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us. HYMN OF PRAISE "This is the Feast of Victory" LW page 161 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) 5
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) SALUTATION The Lord be with you. And also with you. PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. FIRST LESSON Acts 1:12 26 (The Lord chooses Matthias to fill the empty spot of Judas in preparation for Pentecost.) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. HYMN The Man Is Ever Blessed LW 388 6
1. The man is ever blest Who shuns the sinners' ways, Among their counsels never stands, Nor takes the scorners' place. 2. But makes the Law of God His study and delight Amid the labors of the day And watches of the night. 3. He like a tree shall thrive, With waters near the root; Fresh as the leaf his name shall live, His works are heavenly fruit. 4. Not so the ungodly race, They no such blessings find; Their hopes shall flee like empty chaff Before the driving wind. 5. How shall they bear to stand Before that judgment-seat Where all the saints at Christ's right hand In full assembly meet? 6. He knows, and He approves, The way the righteous go; But sinners and their works shall meet A dreadful overflow. EPISTLE 1 John 5:9 15 (Whoever has the Son has life.) This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 7
VERSE Romans 6:9; John 14:18 Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. Alleluia! I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! HOLY GOSPEL John 17:11b 19 (Jesus prays that we may be one as He and the Father are one.) The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the Seventeenth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. (The Gospel is read.) This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. CREED Nicene Creed All: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and 8
was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. HYMN OF THE DAY Christ is the World s Redeemer Christ is the world s Redeemer, The lover of the pure, The fount of heav'nly wisdom, Our trust and hope secure, The armor of His soldiers, The Lord of earth and sky; Our health while we are living, Our life when we shall die. Christ has our host surrounded With clouds of martyrs bright, Who wave their palms in triumph And fire us for the fight. This Christ the cross ascended To save a world undone, 9
SERMON And, suff'ring for the sinful, Our full redemption won. Down in the realms of darkness He strode in victory, And at the hour appointed He rose triumphantly. And now, to heav'n ascended, He sits upon the throne Whence He had ne'er departed, His Father's and His own. Glory to God the Father, The unbegotten One; All honor be to Jesus, His sole begotten Son, And to the Holy Spirit-- The perfect Trinity. Let all the worlds give answer: Amen! So let it be. OFFERING THE ORDER OF SERVICE CONTONUES ON PAGE 143 COMMUNION HYMNS Here, O My Lord, I See You Face to Face LW 243 I Come, O Savior, to Your Table LW 242 Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence LW 241 10
OUR MISSION AND MINISTRY IN OUR PRAYERS: You do not abandon Your people in their hour of need but clothe them with Your peace. Keep us in Christ, especially the sick, those who suffer especially, Lawrence Pelster, Doris Biermann, Bob Bunge, Robert Bunge, who will be having more foot surgery, Patti Mathews, sister-in-law of Nancy Quinn, Dorris Bade, and Donna Kirschenmann. We also want to remember the may shut-ins and friends of our congregation and community, especially, Helen Bode, Hugo Nething, Adeline Keune, Art Hohlt, and Wilma Helling and all those we hold dear in our hearts. We pray for our ministry here at Ebenezer and the people of this congregation keep us in Christ that we may bear the good fruit of Your kingdom and show forth the good works of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. We also pray for all the Pastors and Teachers of our Circuit, District and Missouri Synod, that our Lord Jesus would sustain His Church here and around the world with His Word and Sacraments. Keep us in Christ and extend Your protective power over all threatened by injustice and oppression, especially those who suffer for the name of Christ. We especially ask that you keep our Missionary, Robin McCoy and her students safe in Thailand and all Missionaries around the world. Bless the leaders in every nation with wisdom and the desire for peace, freedom and justice. Keep those safe who respond to emergencies of health, fire, flood and who meet the physical needs of those who rely on them. 11
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To our members and guests who are here with us today. We are very glad you are here for worship services on this Seventh Sunday of Easter. May the Lord refresh you with peace and love during our worship services. Please join us here at Ebenezer again soon! Please sign the guest register near the front entrance with your name, address and Church affiliation. Thank you! PASTOR AND MARGARET will be at the Lake of the Ozarks, May 17-20. Tuesday s Education and Sunday School meeting will be canceled. Please call Pastor Mark Bangert at 636-239-4705 for any pastoral emergency at this time. Also please call our Elders: Warren Bauche 573-237-2230, Tom Anderson 573-308-5880, David Summers 573-459-2005. THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY will resume May 21 st. This will be the last class in this series. The Bible Study Regrets, Realty, Restoration has been well received with 16 people attending. Feel free to attend May 21 even though you have not attended the previous ones to reflect on the Scriptural teaching of God s forgiveness and grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ebenezer Mission Society Meeting The Ebenezer Mission Society will have their quarterly meeting tomorrow evening, Monday, May 18 th. At 6:30 PM we will be making Rice Comfort Bags for Mercy Hospital and the meeting will follow at 7:30 PM. All ladies are welcome and if you need more information or a ride to the meeting, please call Kathy Scher at 237-2631. Picnic Information The picnic is fast approaching, so all help will be appreciated! Job Assignment Sheets are on 12
the table near our Church entrance. Please stop by to pick up your assignment sheet. Please consider helping at this important project of our congregation! There are still letters to be used to ask businesses you frequent if they would like to make a donation, on the table near the Church entrance. If you have any craft items you personally would like to donate, that would be greatly appreciated! Please have all items at Church no later than June 7 th, of if can t bring it that early, please call Karen Sprick at 636-239-5098 with what you have to donate, it s cost and the donor. Thank you for your help and cooperation! Please pick up some picnic posters to place in stores, etc. that you frequent! Auction Sale: The congregation has been asked to serve the lunch at Leola Deppermann s auction on June 6 th. Donations of pies or desserts would be appreciated. They may be taken to the sale at 300 Circle Drive in New Haven or brought to Church by 8:30 AM Saturday, June 6 th. Please sign the sheet at the back of Church if you can work at the sale and help with the preparation and serving. All proceeds will be divided between Robin McCoy and Lutheran World Relief for the Nepal disaster. Your help is needed and appreciated! Note from Union Pasta House Company Give Back to Community Promotion We are pleased to offer local Churches the following promotion: Every Saturday and Sunday for each member of our congregation that brings in a church bulletin, Pasta House Company in Union will donate $1.00 back to our Church and give the customer 10% off the entire check. 13
AP Photo/Wally Santana NEPAL EARTHQUAKE PROVIDE A STRONG, COORDINATED LCMS RESPONSE TO THE NEPAL EARTHQUAKE Holy Father, Your Son spoke of earthquakes in various places as but the beginning of the birth pangs that attend a world awaiting its renewal at His appearing. Have mercy on all who suffer from this strong earthquake in Nepal and India. Bless the efforts of those who care for the the injured, comfort the dying, and seek to bring relief to the suffering. In the midst of things that can be shaken, turn the eyes of all people to what can never be moved: Your unfailing love in Your Son, in whose name we pray. Amen. By God s grace, LCMS congregations and their communities, as well as our partner churches around the world, have been spared over the past year the kind of catastrophic disaster that struck the Asi an nation of Nepal. LCMS Disaster Response has a decades-long legacy of changing lives with our Lord s mercy in parts of the world where the LCMS has a presence, and even in those places like Nepal where it does not. Leveraging and coordinating the generosity of LCMS congregations and families, LCMS Disaster Response will carry out our Synod s response to the people in Nepal who are hurting, grieving and seeking hope. T rough focused grants to strategic partners, LCMS Disaster Response reaches out to the hurting with Christ s love in a way that can supply LCMS members with the accountability they deser ve. 14
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Those Serving Today Organist Saturday Organist Sunday Head Usher Saturday Head Usher Sunday Altar Guild Acolytes Bell Ringer Ruth Marschel Ruth Marschel Tracey Bade Lee Kassebaum Judy Hubenthal and Wanda Gilbert 7 th Grade Confirmation Class Cody Adams Offerings and Attendance Weekly Contributions $1,515.00 Plate 139.00 Sunday School 34.51 Ascension Offering 20.00 Sausage Sales 33.00 $1,741.51 Attendance: Saturday Worship 30 Sunday Worship 82 Sunday School: Children 9 Adults 21 This Week at Ebenezer Monday Mission Society Sewing 6:30 PM Meeting starts at 7:30 PM Thursday - Bible Study Class 10:00 AM & 7:00 PM Saturday - Worship 5:00 16