Welcome to Worship! Bethlehem Lutheran Church (LCMS) 607 N. Maguire, Warrensburg, Missouri

Welcome to Worship! Bethlehem Lutheran Church (LCMS) 607 N. Maguire, Warrensburg, Missouri Sunday, July 8. 2018 Saturday Worship: 5:30 p.m. Christian Education: 9:15 a.m. Bible Study: 6:45 p.m. Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m. Rev. Joel R. Kurz Pastor s Cell Phone: 660-441-5710 Office: 660-747-6742 www.blchurch.com

July 8, 2018 AS WE GATHER Our culture is fascinated with rebels. Characters such as Han Solo, Ferris Bueller, and Katniss Everdeen are not perfect, but we admire how they stand up to authority. Whether being a rebel is good or bad depends on whom one is rebelling against. When the authority is God Almighty, rebels are not looked upon so fondly. Israel rebelled against God, and Ezekiel told them just that. The people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, rebelling against their own hometown prophet. Paul was a rebel himself, first against the followers of Jesus, and then on their behalf. Sin is rebellion against God. Yet God forgives our rebellion through Jesus death and resurrection, turning our rebellion into reconciliation and rejoicing. Despite our weaknesses and inclination to rebel, God s grace comes to us in Jesus, and He is sufficient for us. The pottery vessels on the altar remind us that although Holy Communion is not celebrated today, our Lord s sacred gifts are still central to our life of faith. Holy Communion is celebrated every 1 st, 3 rd, and 5 th weekend (and major festivals). Our Mission at Bethlehem is to: Grow in Christ, Live in Love, Share the Faith Liturgical Color: Green is the color of life and growth in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Pre-Service Music Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Please use this time for prayerful listening and preparation. Prayers can be found on the inside cover of the hymnal and on pages 305-318. If you have a prayer request or concern, fill out a prayer request on the back of the pew in front of you and an usher will pick it up.) Visitors: We are glad you have chosen to be with us today! We would especially like to follow-up with you beyond today, so please take a moment to leave your best contact information in the guest books at each entrance/exit or in the Record of Fellowship books found on each pew. Do you have basic questions about Bethlehem? Refer to the

information sheet inside the Record of Fellowship books or ask. A cry-room for parents and children is just off from the front entryway, and a nursery (staffed on Sundays) is downstairs off the end of the fellowship hall. Announcements Welcome Prelude Stand Gathering Hymn... Praise to You and Adoration #692 Morning Prayer Opening Verses... page 235 Psalmody Antiphon... page 235 Venite... pages 236-237 (sung in unison) Antiphon... page 237 Sit Office Hymn... "On Galilee s High Mountain" (v. 1-4) #835 Readings First Reading...Ezekiel 2:1-5 The Lord gives his call and charge to the prophet, regardless of the outcome. He said to me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you. And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD. And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them. P O Lord, have mercy on us. C Thanks be to God.

Second Reading... 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Paul instructs the faithful on the variety of the Spirit s gifts for the good of all. I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. P O Lord, have mercy on us. C Thanks be to God. Stand Holy Gospel... Mark 6:1-13 Rejected by the people of his hometown, Jesus calls and commissions his followers. P The Holy Gospel according to Mark the sixth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord. [Jesus] went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household. And he could do no mighty work

there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff no bread, no bag, no money in their belts but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them. So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. P In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets. C But now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. The Apostles Creed... (Inside back cover of the hymnal) Sit Children s Message Sermon... A For-Prophet Endeavor Stand Hymn of Praise... We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God #942 Sharing of the Peace Sit Mission Minute Offering Stand Prayer Collects... page 241 Lord s Prayer... page 241 Benedicamus... page 241 Benediction... page 242 Sending Hymn... Dismissal

Morning Prayer from Lutheran Service Book 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Next week s readings: Amos 7:7-15, Ephesians 1:3-14, Mark 6:14-29 Attendance Last Saturday: 38 Attendance Last Sunday: 99 Total Offering: $6,864.85 Missions: $175.00 Home Use: $6,337.75 Benevolences: $358.10 Serving us today: Elder... Ken Pederson Musicians... Rich Vanderburgh Offerings... Lynn Marsh Johansen Altar Committee... Cindy Schnell (Chair), Holli Burge, Kaye Fair Judy Schache and Samantha Schnell Flower Committee... Karen Haase (Chair), Lana Vanderburgh This Week s Schedule: Today 9:15 a.m. Christian Education 10:30 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Thrivent Meeting Monday 9:30 a.m. Strength Training Tuesday Pastors vacation (10 th -17 th ) 7:00 p.m. Council Meeting Wednesday 9:30 a.m. Strength Training 10:00 a.m. MOMs at Shepard Park No Bible Class Thursday 2:00 p.m. Card Group No Bible Class Friday 9:30 a.m. Strength Training Saturday 2:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved (Surprise Party) 5:30 p.m. Holy Communion 6:45 p.m. Bible Study Sunday 9:15 a.m. Christian Education 10:30 a.m. Holy Communion 11:45 a.m. Coffee and Cookies by Pastor s Office Absence

Pr. Joel will be on vacation July 10-17 (visiting his sister in South Carolina). If you need assistance, please call an elder or the church office. Dr. Tilahun Mendedo (of Lutheran Bible Translators) will be here for the weekend of the 14 th & 15 th, fresh on the heels of a trip back from Ethiopia for the Concordia Mission Institute. Cindy Smith will be on vacation July 13-20. Emails will still be answered but if you need immediate assistance, please call Darlene Laubenstein. Prayers For Sustenance, Healing, and Provision We remember those who are dealing with illness, homebound, in nursing homes, and recovering from hospitalization or surgery: Patricia Beckman (Larry Haase s sister), Paula Brewer, Marion Droege, Kaylee Henry (friend of Fatka s), Carol Kurz, Marty Lehn, Charlene McCarter, Sadie Mills (Rick Mills mother), Joshua Schache, Mark Steitz & Vince Waner. For Pregnant Mother Shaina Wurdeman and the Lord s provision for all of her needs during this time of expectant waiting. For Military Members We remember all service and support personnel who are deployed and stationed away from us and their families: Andy Burden, Chance Hillsman, Chanel Johnson, and (former Vicar) David Wurdeman. Christian Education Wednesday Bible Study Join us in the conference room from 10:30 to noon as we continue with Michael Card s study of The Gospel of John: Wisdom from Ephesus. We re exploring his distinct proclamation of Christ and are only about a third of the way through, so there s plenty yet to cover with us. Wednesday Noonday Prayer Join us at the altar every Wednesday from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. for a brief but focused time of corporate prayer. Thursday Night Bible Study. Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on July 26 for a continuing closer look at the parable of the Good Samaritan. It will not be held on the 12th due to Pastor s absence. Saturday Bible Study Come explore Matthew: A New Identity from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room following the evening service. Stay with us for a bit and look at the details of Jesus ministry. Sunday Bible Study This summer, the Adult class is exploring the history and relevance of the first few centuries of Christianity. We re using a video-based series called From Christ to Constantine: The Trial and Testimony of the Early Church. Plan on joining us in the conference room at 9:15 a.m. for this helpful and edifying study!

Summer Sunday School is happening, so no need to take a vacation from the opportunity for our children to grow and be nurtured in the faith. The setup is different, but all starts downstairs at 9:15. Ways to Serve Food Center Needs miscellaneous canned vegetables (not corn, peas or green beans), spinach, potatoes, beans (butter, lima, white, navy, northern, cannellini), black eyed peas, sauerkraut, carrots, beets, greens, toilet paper, household cleaning products, pasta sauce (24 oz), boxed meals such as hamburger helper, cake mixes, brownie mixes and pancake mixes. Please pick up a few extra items when doing your weekly shopping. Thanks to those families who helped Bethlehem staff the Food Center during the month of June. We served more than 500 families. Your donations throughout the year are welcomed. Charles Fair. How Does the Garden Grow? Not all of the vegetable garden is in just yet, so we re looking at a later fall harvest. Tomatoes and peppers are growing, but so are the weeds, and there s more yet to plant! Help can be used in any way, so let Pr. Joel, Mike or Barbara Chasar know and they ll set you up on a regular cycle of things to do. Time with the soil and green growth roots us in the wider Creation of which we re a part! The Growing Place Bethlehem s afterschool mentoring program is on summer hiatus, but we re looking for new people to come on board to help make this congregational Plus One initiative a vital community outreach for the new school year. Please talk to Rebecca Holland or Pastor Joel about getting involved and using your gifts for the greater good! Bethlehem s Friday Night Meal at Manna Harvest Did you know that free meals are provided at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church five nights a week and are staffed by volunteers from various organizations and congregations including Bethlehem? Bethlehem takes the first Friday of each month, and we need 6 volunteers. Please offer up your help by contacting Phil at frerking1@charter.net. This evening meal is a great way to serve in our community, and it makes a great way for family and friends to work together representing our congregation! Prayer Shawls are a way to comfort the grieving, provide hope to the weary, and celebrate new life, among other things. If you know of someone who would benefit from receiving a prayer shawl, please contact the church office. Fellowship

Coffee and Cookies Next Sunday (July 15), coffee and cookies will be served in the foyer by Pastor s office after service. This would be a good time to meet and greet Dr. Tilahun Mendedo as well as other members of the church. Mary-Martha Guild. Martha Friedmeyer has invited the Ladies of the Mary Martha Guild to attend a Picnic in the Park in Clinton, near her home. Martha will supply the fried chicken, drinks and the table service. Each lady is to bring something to share for the picnic. It will be held Monday, July 9. We will car-pool and be leaving the church at 5:00 p.m. Moms and Toddlers All those moms and toddlers are welcome to join each other every Wednesday at Shepard Park in Warrensburg at 10:00 a.m. This is a chance for everyone to get out of the house, relieve some stress and spend some time outdoors with each other. Please contact Rebecca Holland with any questions. Exercise Class Class is at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Fellowship Hall. This class is low impact exercise open to anyone. For more information, contact Judy Smith. Card Group This group meets on Thursdays, at 2:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall to play cards or any other games. You re more than welcome to join! Miscellaneous All are invited to a SURPRISE (Shhh!) Open House to celebrate Charlie Fair's 80th Birthday on Saturday, July 14 in the fellowship hall. We will shout surprise and cut cake about 2 p.m. You are welcome to come and go until 4 p.m. If you cannot attend, you may send a card to in care of Amy Fair, 5035 S. Providence, Apt. D, Columbia, MO 65203. You also may email a message to threefairs@gmail.com or leave one in our church mail box. Thanks! Kaye Fair. Back to School Event Bethlehem will be collecting school supplies for a Back to School Event being held on July 21 st from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church. This event is sponsored by the Family Support Division and the Missouri Re-Entry Program. Supplies will be handed out to children grades K-12. Please place supplies in the box by Pastor s door or you may also volunteer to help pass out supplies on the 21 st. If interested, please contact the church office. Christ Church Christian School is now enrolling for Kindergarten for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. This is a private school dedicated to teaching students in a Christian, positive and nurturing learning environment. They offer smaller classroom sizes, flexibility to meet individual needs and set high academic standards. They are at 602 E. Young Avenue, 660-429-2224 or www.ecoc-cccs.com.

Faith Lutheran Church is excited to have been featured at the Missouri District Convention for our military ministry. Thank God for what he does in our midst. The Faith & Campus Mission Ministry (FACMM) can now be supported through online donations. Go to FACMM.org/Donate to learn more. Country Kitchen Cards are available. You can get 20 buy-one, get-one meal FREE coupons for just $10.00. All proceeds go towards helping the youth group. See a youth member after church or you can stop by the office and purchase one. Administration Office Manager Hours: 8:00-5:00, Monday-Friday, 660-747-6742 or email at: officemanager@blchurch.com. Bulletin Article Deadline: Wednesday at noon via the e-mail account. Tidings Article Deadline: 21 st of each month via the e-mail account. Pastor s Office Hours Pastor Joel can be found in the office Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8-5 and Wednesdays & Fridays, 10-5, except for when leading Bible study, making visits, attending meetings, and such. Call or e-mail him at: 660-441-5710 or pastor@blchurch.com. Elders Phil Frerking (Head Elder) Members whose last name begins with Schm-Z 731-441-1111 Nathan Wittmaier Members whose last name begins with A-C 660-225-1165 Rick Mills Members whose last name begins with D-H 660-441-1980 Ken Pederson Members whose last name begins with I-L 660-441-7586 Mark Steitz Members whose last name begins with M-O 660-238-8404 James Schumaker Members whose last name begins with P-Schl 660-429-3591