But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. Exodus 2:15 We Can t Stay Here A four week sermon series on Moses September 10, 2017 at 11 am St. John s Lutheran Church, Salisbury NC
Welcome to St. John s! Part of this morning s liturgy may also be found at the front section of this hymnal, where noted in your bulletin. Occasionally you will be invited to turn to a hymn in the red Evangelical Lutheran Worship. The congregation s responses are in bold. A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS! We hope that you will feel a warm sense of welcome today. If you are without a church home, we invite you to become a part of the ministry of St. John s. Please complete the Friendship Pad found on the pew so that we might get to know one another better. For more information, visit our website at stjohnssalisbury.org. HOLY COMMUNION is offered on the first and third Sundays at the 11 am service, on the second and fourth Sundays at the 8:30 am service, and on the first Sundays at the 9:27 am service. All baptized and communing Christians are welcome to the Table to receive God s gift of grace through his body and blood. Those not communing are invited forward for a spoken blessing. Following the ushers instructions, proceed down the aisle to the front of the church. SMALL CHILDREN are always welcome at worship, although a nursery for infants through age 5 is provided in the lower level of the Sanctuary building for your convenience. Please ask an usher to direct you to the nursery. AS WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP, please feel welcome and invited to greet your neighbors and enjoy this time together. As the prelude begins, let us be silent and prepare ourselves for worship. Be mindful that this is a worship service. Please turn off all electronic devices. The use of cameras, ipads and other picture-taking technologies should be limited to before or after the service. Thanks for being considerate of others regarding flashes and ringtones. May the Spirit of God fill this place and lead us into the wonder of his Presence. ST JOHN S IS FULLY ACCESSIBLE to those with physical restrictions. An elevator to the sanctuary is located along the side entrance of the church. Hearing aids and audio loops are available at the 11 am service. Large print bulletins are available at the 11 am service. Our ushers will be glad to assist you. 2
Gathering Welcome Please sign the Friendship Pad and pass it to your neighbor in the pew. Prelude Morning Song Larghetto G. T. Thalben-Ball Kevin Agner, cello Prayers of Confession. Please stand, turning towards the cross of Christ. As we gather for worship, you are invited to make the sign of the cross as a sign of your baptism. In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let us pray. Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence for reflection and self-examination. Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Kyrie. A centering prayer asking for God s mercy and peace. Setting by Rob Durocher. 2017 D-Clef Music 3
God s Promise of Forgiveness God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen. Entrance Hymn 865 Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven PRAISE, MY SOUL 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. Let us pray. O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. Please be seated Faith Life Moment Word Wymbs Family, Consecration Sunday Preaching Text: Exodus 2:11-25 Moses flees to Midian 11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting; and he said to the one who was in the wrong, "Why do you strike your fellow Hebrew?" 14 He answered, "Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Then Moses was afraid and thought, "Surely the thing is known." 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. 16 The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 But some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses got up and came to their defense and watered their flock. 18 When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, "How is it that you have come back so soon today?" 19 They said, "An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock." 20 He said to his daughters, "Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread." 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. 22 She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, "I have been an alien residing in a foreign land." 4
23 After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God! Psalm Response The Lord Is My Rock Please sing as led Psalm 18 Setting by Rob Durocher. 2017 D-Clef Music Second Reading: Psalm 31:1-5,9-10,14-16 Deliverance from enemies 1 In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; do not let me ever be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me. 2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily. Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me. 3 You are indeed my rock and my fortress; for your name's sake lead me and guide me, 4 take me out of the net that is hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God. (RESPONSE) 9 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also. 5
10 For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my misery, and my bones waste away. 14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." 15 My times are in your hand; deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 16 Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. (RESPONSE) Children s Worship During the singing of the response, children are invited to Children s Worship, returning after the sermon. The Holy Gospel: Matthew 2:13-15,19-31 The Holy Family escapes to and returns from Egypt 13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." 14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 20 Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead. 21 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. The Gospel of our Lord. Thanks be to God! Please be seated Sermon Pastor Rhodes Woolly Hymn 698 How Long, O God LAND OF REST Collection of our Tithes and Offerings 6
Offertory Anthem This is My Father s World Setting by Steven Strite This is my Father s world, and to my listening ears, all nature sings and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father s world, I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father s world, the birds their carols raise. The morning light, the lily white declare their Maker s praise. This is my Father s world, he shines in all that s fair; The rusting grass I hear him pass, he speaks everywhere. This is my father s world, O let me ne er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father s world, the battle is not done; Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be one! Alleluia. This is my Father s world. Offertory Hymn. As the gifts are presented the congregation stands and sings. 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. Prayers of Intercession. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer. The 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. Please stand Prayer and Blessing 7
Sending Benediction Sending Hymn 452 Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death AZMON Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God! Postlude Unless otherwise indicated, today s service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and is reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #26999. 8