EXODUS Weekend Schedule Saturday Contemporary Worship 5:00p Sunday Traditional Worship 8:00a & 10:45a Adult Bible Studies Sunday School 9:30a The Bridge Gathering 11:00a
Schedule for Lent Dinners Join us each Wednesday at 5:00p for a meal in the gym prior to the worship service Worship Wednesdays at 6:00p, February 28, March 7, 14, 21 Maundy Thursday March 29 at 1:00p & 7:00p Good Friday March 30 at 1:00p & 7:00p Easter April 1 at 7:00a, 9:00a, 9:09a and 11:00a You are invited to pick up a Lenten devotional booklet at the Information Center. Sunday Morning Adult Bible Classes Exodus Taught by Pastor Lessing in the Gym The Sunday Morning Bible Class is looking at the exciting history and theology connected with the book of Exodus. It is very practical and useful! Lent: A Time of Reflection Taught by Pastor Shawn in Luther Hall Most of us know Lent as a time to give up things. But it is also a time of pausing to reflect on being connected to Jesus. In this four-week study, we are diving into Bible passages, spending time in reflection, and discussing how the readings connect us to Jesus. 1
THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT February 25, 2018 Theme of the Day: Stop trying and start trusting. That s the truth God teaches his people in Exodus 14. And that s the Gospel truth God teaches us as well today! PRESERVICE WELCOME INVOCATION AND CALL TO WORSHIP [During the sermon series on Exodus we are using psalms that celebrate Israel s deliverance from Egypt. Today we use selected verses from Psalm 105.] P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Israel arrived in Egypt; Jacob lived as a foreigner in the land of Ham. C: The LORD multiplied the people of Israel. P: The LORD sent his servant Moses, along with Aaron, whom he had chosen. C: The LORD blanketed Egypt in darkness. P: They had defied his commands to let his people go. C: He turned their water into blood, poisoning all the fish. P: Then frogs overran the land and even invaded the king s bedrooms. C: When the LORD spoke, flies descended on the Egyptians. P: He sent them hail instead of rain, and lightning flashed over the land. C: He spoke, and hordes of locusts came. P: The LORD brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold. All: Not one among the tribes of Israel stumbled! HYMN Come to Calvary s Holy Mountain 435 (stanzas 1 3) CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION [From selected verses in Romans 7] P: Hear me, merciful and mighty Father, as I confess my bondage to sin and death. C: I know that nothing good lives in me. 2
P: That is, in my sinful nature. C: I have the desire to do good. P: But I cannot carry it out. C: What I do is not the good I want to do. P: No, the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing. C: I find this law at work P: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. C: In my inner being I delight in your law. P: But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war and making me a prisoner of the law of sin and death. All: Who will rescue me from this body of death? [You are invited to silently reflect on the fact that though our sin is great, Christ s love is greater.] P: Hear the good news The same God who delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage also delivers you from your body of sin and death! Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed and his blood forgives you and sets you free! The LORD brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold. All: And not one among the tribes of Israel stumbled! HYMN Come to Calvary s Holy Mountain 435 (stanza 4) PRAYER OF THE DAY P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. Father in heaven, although you graciously and daily provide for all that we need, we frequently fail to trust your love and mercy. Awaken our faith so that, all the more, we trust you in every test and temptation; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. All: Amen. 3
SONG 10:45a Sing, Rejoice, Clap Your Hands ESM K-1 Grade Choir CHILDREN S MESSAGE 10:45a Pianist, Jocelyn Garcia, SMLC Academy Student, Jesus Loves Me CHILDREN S CHURCH 10:45a Led by Heather Nutter Children are excused following the Children s Message for supervised Children s Church in the Conference Room. They will return during the offering. EIGHTH GRADE CONFIRMATION TESTIMONY 8:00a Jocelyn Smith, whose confirmation verse is Proverbs 4:27 TODAY S SCRIPTURE LESSONS ARE ABOUT TRUSTING GOD OLD TESTAMENT LESSON EXODUS 14:1 29 ANTHEM 8:00a Have No Fear Little Flock Men s Choir 10:45a Step By Step ESM K-1 Grade Choir GOSPEL LESSON MATTHEW 11:25 30 APOSTLES CREED 8:00a PAGE 159 NICENE CREED 10:45a PAGE 158 SERMON Please see the insert for sermon notes. HYMN How Firm a Foundation 728 ANNOUNCEMENTS OUR OFFERINGS Members and Guests, please sign the Who s Who in the Pew in the rack near the center aisle and pass it to the person next to you. 4
OFFERTORY 8:00a Leaning On the Everlasting Arms Men s Choir 10:45a How Firm a Foundation PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH Following the pastor s prayer, LORD, you promise you will fight for us the congregation is invited to respond, Teach us to stay calm. This is based upon Exodus 14:14. THE LORD S PRAYER The 8:00a service concludes on page 7 with the Benediction. THE CELEBRATION OF THE LORD S SUPPER 10:45a OUR COMMUNION PRACTICE The Lord s Supper is celebrated at this congregation in the confession and glad confidence that, as he says, our Lord gives into our mouths not only bread and wine but his true body and blood to eat and to drink for the forgiveness of sins and to strengthen our union with him and with one another (Matthew 26:26-28). Our Lord invites to his table those who have been baptized, repent of all sin, and set aside any refusal to forgive and love as he forgives and loves us, that they may show forth his death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). Because those who eat and drink our Lord s body and blood unworthily do so to their great harm (1 Corinthians 11:28-30) and because Holy Communion is a confession of the faith which is confessed at this altar, any who are not yet instructed, in doubt, or who hold a confession differing from that of this congregation and The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, and yet desire to receive the sacrament, are asked first to speak with the pastor. If you need communion delivered to you, please notify an usher or elder before the service begins. Gluten free communion wafers are available by raising your index finger as Christ s body is distributed, signaling the elder that you wish to receive a prewrapped gluten 5
free wafer. The wrapping can be placed in the box at the end of the first pew with the individual cups. Individual cups, should be held until the chalice has passed. Non-alcoholic wine is available in the tinted cups. If you have some other allergy or need, please contact the church office so special arrangements can be made. Children or adults who have not yet been confirmed are invited to come forward for a blessing. As you do so please cross yourselves by placing your arms over your chest. PREFACE/PROPER PREFACE P: The Lord be with you, C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give him thanks and praise. SANCTUS (To the tune of Dearest Jesus We Are Here) Holy, holy, holy Lord, Heav'n and earth proclaim the story, Of your majesty adored, Of your kingdom, pow'r and glory. With hosannas now we meet you, With our palms and praises greet you! Hail! Hosanna! Blest is he, Who in God's own name draws near us! Hail! Hosanna! Blest are we, Since we have God's love to cheer us: Blood outpoured and body broken, Of eternal love the token! WORDS OF INSTITUTION THE PEACE OF THE LORD P: The peace of the Lord be with you always, C: And also with you. Amen. 6
AGNUS DEI (Sung to the tune of O Sacred Head, Now Wounded) O Lamb of God, once lifted upon the cursed tree, O Lamb of God, once offered in sacrifice for me. O Lamb of God, my Savior in my place crucified, Your peace and mercy grant me. My Savior will provide. DISTRIBUTION HYMNS O Lord, We Praise Thee (Hymn of the month) 617 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord 637 My Song Is Love Unknown 430 Jesus, Refuge of the Weary 423 Go to Dark Gethsemane 436 Nunc Dimittis Song of Simeon Page 199 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou has prepared before the face of all people, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. BENEDICTION P: May the Almighty God Father, Son and Holy Spirit who brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold, bring you safely through your trial and test. C: Not one among the tribes of Israel stumbled! All: Amen and Amen! HYMN In Christ Alone Silent Prayer: Jesus, teach me again and again to stop trying and start trusting you with everything. Amen. 7