GOD HAS THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost August 23-26, 2018
N84 W15252 Menomonee Ave. Menomonee Falls, WI 53051 N108 W14290 Bel Aire Lane Germantown, WI 53022 WELCOME TO WORSHIP! We are pleased that you have chosen to worship the Lord with us today. If you are a guest visiting with us, know that we are thankful you have joined us, and please take a moment to sign the friendship register during the gathering of the offering. Large print hymnals (both locations) are available upon request from an usher. Hearing assist devices (Falls only) are available upon request from an usher. Restrooms at the Falls: In the lower level of the church and also down the school hallway. Restrooms at Germantown: In the north and south halls of the building. If you need a place to quiet a restless child, the service is streamed to a TV in the lower level of the Falls and in the Alpha room at Germantown. SERVICE NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY The order of worship for today is printed for you in this folder. The hymns are found in Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal, the red hymnal, or are printed in the folder. Communion We are celebrating the Lord s Supper today. What is this Sacrament? It is the receiving of Christ s body and blood, together with the bread and wine, for the assurance of the forgiveness of our sins (Mt. 26:17-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-29). It is an expression of unity among us when it comes to the teachings of Jesus (Jn. 8:31,32). If you are visiting with us today, please speak with one of our Pastors about receiving this Sacrament. Service Focus Temptations to give up on Jesus and his Word and to listen to our sin-tainted human reason follow us throughout our lives. With the apostles may we always say: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God! SERVING IN WORSHIP Preaching Minister Organists Pastor Russell Schmidt Kim Streff (M), Anna Geiger (G) 2
THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST The Service of Word and Sacrament is also found on p. 26 in the front of the red hymnal. OPENING HYMN O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God 186 INVOCATION P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you. C: And also with you. CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION P: God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us. C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner. P: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ 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. C: Amen. 3
LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie P: For all that we need in life and for the wisdom to use all your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord. P: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ. P: For the well-being of your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord. P: Merciful God, maker and preserver of life, uphold us by your power and keep us in your tender care: P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise. 4
O LORD, OUR LORD 5
PRAYER OF THE DAY P: Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. THE WORD FIRST LESSON Exodus 7:8-13 In spite of the miraculous demonstration of God s power which God allowed Moses to perform, Pharaoh s heart became hard and he refused to listen. 8 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 When Pharaoh says to you, Perform a miracle, then say to Aaron, Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake. 10 So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11 Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret 6
arts: 12 Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13 Yet Pharaoh s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 71 Tune 466 ALL: MEN: ALL: ALL: In you, O Lord, I put my trust; You are my rock and my defense. When times and trials are unjust, You turn my foes from their intents. You are, O Lord, my refuge strong; From youth I have relied on you. Though troubles rise and life seems long, I speak your praise the whole day through. Do not reject me in old age; Forsake me not when strength has fled. For foes against me plot and rage And boldly say, Your God is dead. In you, O Lord, I hope once more; Your love renews my troubled soul. From youth to age my strength restore, And make my battered spirit whole. WOMEN: To you I sing unending praise; You scorn not age and graying hair. Your love encompasses my days; All times to come will know your care. ALL: I praise the Lord with harp and song; I sing with shouts of joy and praise. For you have rescued me from wrong And brought me hope for all my days. 7
SECOND LESSON Hebrews 11:24-28 Moses gave up worldly position and power and followed God s direction. May we likewise close our eyes to the distractions of the world s wisdom and pleasure and look only to the wisdom which is not only true but saving! 24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh s daughter. 25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. VERSE OF THE DAY 2 Timothy 1:10b P: Alleluia. Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Alleluia. Worship services center around the Gospel Reading; we rise to highlight its function. 8
GOSPEL LESSON John 6:60-69 How sad when Jesus and his teachings seem foolish to our human reason! Sadder still is when people reject Jesus and his teachings. To abandon Jesus is to abandon the only way of salvation. 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it? 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe. For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them. 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. 67 You do not want to leave too, do you? Jesus asked the Twelve. 68 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. HYMN OF THE DAY Rise, Shine, You People 556 SERMON John 6:60-69 Leave Jesus? NEVER! He alone is the Holy One of God! He alone has the words of eternal life! 9
NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen. THANK OFFERING PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P: Gracious God and Father, we praise you for the countless blessings, which we receive from your hand: the beauties of creation and the bounties of the earth, the joy of life and the pleasure of friendship, the good of work and the gift of rest, the privilege to share happiness and sorrow with one another. Above all we praise and thank you for your saving Word and for your Son s body and blood, which you give us to eat and to drink in the sacrament. Through these means of grace, you send the Holy Spirit into our hearts and unite us to Jesus and to the whole Christian Church on earth. C: Strengthen us through this heavenly food; increase our trust in Christ and our love for one another. P: Great God and Lord, without your continuing help we easily waver in our faith, lose courage, and grow careless in our watchfulness. The times and days are perilous. Give us strength to face the evils of each day with fresh confidence. Open our lips to speak of your grace, and move us to use the gifts that you give us to share your Word of salvation with all people. 10
Protect and prosper the family, the school, the government, and all good institutions that you have established for the benefit of society. Remember in mercy those who are sick and suffering, and bring your healing to troubled homes and lives. C: Move us to pray for those in need and to help them with deeds of kindness. Special prayers and intercessions may follow. P: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions. Silent prayer. P: Now, eternal God and Father, keep us in the saving faith and so enable us to overcome all things through our Lord Jesus Christ. LORD S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen. THE SACRAMENT P: The Lord be with you. P: Lift up your hearts. 11
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. P: Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. He sends the Holy Spirit to testify that we are his children and to strengthen us when we are weak. Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory forever and ever. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY Sanctus 12
WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink from 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, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD Agnus Dei 13
DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION HYMN Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared 312 THANK THE LORD P: Hear the prayer of your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised you here may glorify you in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of your Son may long for his coming again, and that all who have received in his true body and blood the pledge of your forgiveness may be restored to live a new and holy life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 14
BENEDICTION P: Brothers and sisters go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. CLOSING HYMN You Are the Way; through You Alone 356 COPYRIGHT INFORMATION Bulletin artwork by Ian M. Welch. 2013 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. www.paramentics.com All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. All music in the service is used by permission and reprinted under OneLicense.net A-716490 15
WEEKLY NEWS AND NOTES This week, the flowers beautifying worship in Menomonee Falls are from Jerry and Nancy Kitzrow, in honor of their 67 th wedding anniversary. CALL MEETING UPDATES Pastor Westra and Mr. Walker are both continuing to deliberate where they can best serve the Lord. Please continue to keep them in your prayers! HOPE GROWS BIBLE CLASS - What are you hoping your future will be? More importantly, what does God hope your future will be? Join us for the next session of Hope Grows, Bethlehem's Membership Class that focuses on the fundamental truths of the Christian faith. Whether you're new to Bethlehem or a life-long member, this class will rekindle and renew the hope that is ours in Christ! The class meets on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. at the Germantown campus beginning September 10. All materials are provided (free-ofcharge), childcare is available upon request, and you're never under any obligation to join. Have questions? Ready to register? Call or text Pastor Arnold at 262-225-0580 or email him at parnold@bethlehem-wels.org. EXCITING CHANGES IN THE CHURCH OFFICE! We are happy to welcome Michelle Klemp to the church office staff! Michelle is a member at Morning Star Lutheran Church, along with her husband and five children. Michelle will be covering the church office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and Stephanie Silvis will be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To simplify communication, we will be transitioning to a new church office email address, which is: churchoffice@bethlehem-wels.org. When you have a chance, please welcome Michelle, we are happy to have her here! ARE YOU FASCINATED BY HANDBELLS? Come join us for our first open rehearsal on Monday, September 17th at 6 PM in Menomonee Falls. All are welcome, no prior experience needed. If playing bells sounds like something you might be interested in, please join us for a fun evening! Please contact Liz Sand @ lsand@bethlehem-wels.org with any questions. REGISTRATION OPEN! The 6th annual Bethlehem Golf Outing (BGO 18) is coming on Saturday, September 22nd. Save your spot for golf or the banquet today. Go to the events link on Bethlehem s website (www.bethlehem-wels.org) for event info, sponsorship opportunities, and links to online and paper registration form. ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC AND OUTDOOR WORSHIP SERVICE Our annual outdoor worship service and church picnic will be held at our Germantown campus on Sunday, September 9 th. Please check back for more details soon! 16
CURIOUS ABOUT CHOIR? The Bethlehem Adult Choir will host their 2nd Annual Choir Open House on September 17 beginning at 7pm. Everyone high school age and up is welcome. No experience is necessary, and there is no obligation to join if you attend. Come to sing and stay for fellowship and refreshments. LOOKING FOR BOY PIONEER LEADERS Bethlehem has been blessed to be able to field strong Pioneer Programs for both our boys and girls, at a time when many congregations in our WELS fellowship cannot provide this ministry to their youth. While our Girl program for the upcoming year remains strong, our Boys program is in need of leaders who will: 1: Plan 2 events/activities per month (less during holiday times) 2: Spend time with the boys leading these activities (2 Tuesday evening per month for an hour and a half each evening) All told, it is a commitment of about 5-7 hours per month. If this is a way you feel you could serve your Savior and your church, please email Pastor Schmidt at pschmidt@bethlehemwels.org. Thank you very much! PIANO - One of our members has a piano that needs to find a new home. If you are looking to add a piano to your family's home, please contact Martha Johnson at mjohnson@bethlehemwels.org for more information. NOW HIRING FACILITIES SUPERVISOR Bethlehem is hiring a full-time Facilities Supervisor. The primary duties of this position include keeping our campus facilities appropriately set up for the various uses, keeping Bethlehem clean, safe, and attractive, and maintaining our buildings and systems. This includes some general maintenance, oversight of all building equipment, and supervision of custodial staff. The Facilities Supervisor position requires self-motivation, accountability for time and expenses, integrity, and an active WELS member is preferred. Work will take place mainly in Germantown, but both campuses as needed. Email Rachelle Nolte your resume, and share why you're excited to join us! rnolte@bethlehem-wels.org TOMORROW S CHOICE will celebrate its 21 st Anniversary on September 30. A celebration event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waukesha. For more details and forms, please check the bulletin boards at both campuses. 2018 has been a challenge for Tomorrow s Choice. The golf outing fundraiser didn t happen; creating a serious financial hardship. Can you help? Call Marlene at 262-255-2874 for more information. KML CLAY SHOOT The annual KML Clay Shoot will be held on Sunday, September 9, at The Highlands in Cascade. This fun event is open to people of all ages and abilities. Come for a unique experience and support the KML Foundation at the same time. For more information and to register, visit www.foundation.kmlhs.org or call Mr. Paul Snamiska (262-677-4051). 17
Serving in Worship Service Overseer: Communion Assistants: Sunday, August 26 th Thursday, August 23 rd Menomonee Falls Larry Grodek 6:45 PM Dave Koeppel Germantown Jim Henne Saturday, August 25 th Sunday, September 2 nd 5:00 PM Leroy Buelow & Jim Casper Menomonee Falls Jon Wirkkula Sunday, August 26 th Germantown Jeff Mitchell 8:00 AM Fred Banaszak 10:30 AM Keith Lauersdorf Set Up Teams (Germantown): Sunday, August 26 th Greeters: Team 6 Steve Zimmermann Thursday, August 23 rd Sunday, September 2 nd 6:45 PM David & Anna Peter Team 7 Kevin Brunow Saturday, August 25 th 5:00 PM Bev George and Barb Bartel Ushers: Sunday, August 26 th Saturday, August 25 th 8:00 AM Cheryl Belott 5:00 PM Team 16 Neuberger 9:15 AM Tim & Stacey Bleick Sunday, August 26 th 10:30 AM Vicki Busalacchi 8:00 AM Team 2 Siwy Thursday, August 30 th 9:15 AM Team 1 Cook 6:45 PM Ray & Donna Lumsden 10:30 AM Team 19 Schulz Saturday, September 1 st Saturday, September 1 st 5:00 PM Ken & Ione Pruess 5:00 PM Team 5 De Vor Sunday, September 2 nd Sunday, September 2 nd 8:00 AM Chris & Liz Sand 8:00 AM Team 3 Kasten 9:15 AM Jeff & Christa Potratz 9:15 AM Team 11 Liebner 10:30 AM Don & Becky Mallow 10:30 AM Team 20 Zimmermann Church Attendance Last Week: 688 Unified Offerings Last Week: $35,265.37 Building Relationships Offerings Last Week: $2,395.00 18
The Week Ahead Sunday, August 26 th Communion Sunday 8:00 AM Worship Service M 9:15 AM Worship Service G 10:30 AM Worship Service M Monday, August 27 th Tuesday, August 28 th 10:15 AM Bible Class M 6:30 PM Elders M Wednesday, August 29 th 6:00 PM Bible Class M Thursday, August 30 th 6:45 AM Bible Study M 6:45 PM Worship Service M Friday, August 31 st Saturday, September 1 st 5:00 PM Worship Service M Contact Information Pastors: Phil Arnold 262-251-3555 parnold@bethlehem-wels.org Peter Schmidt 262-251-3353 pschmidt@bethlehem-wels.org Church Office: 262-251-3555 Office Staff E-mail Address: churchoffice@bethlehem-wels.org School Office: 262-251-3120 Child Care Office: 262-257-0408 Website: bethlehem-wels.org Sunday, September 2 nd 8:00 AM Worship Service M 9:15 AM Worship Service G 10:30 AM Worship Service M 19