S e p t e m b e r 2 0 t h 2 3 t h i n t h e y e a r o f o u r L o r d 2 0 1 8 Just how deeply is the Word of God to penetrate my heart and life? God s children reflect either God and His heaven or the devil and demons of hell. So what is influencing me. What attitudes do I have in my heart? In the words I use? in the plans I make and carry out? Welcoming Song: Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us #486 CW Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Amen! Adults & Children: We worship as we live, in Jesus name. Amen! Leader: Let us confess our sins and turn to the LORD our God.
Pg 2 Adults & Children: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful. I have sinned against You with my thoughts, my words and my activities. I deserve only punishment, now and forever. Please, look away from my sins; look on Jesus Christ who suffered and died for me. Forgive me for His sake. Leader: Rejoice! In the name of the living God, hear and believe this Good News: Jesus Christ, by His death and resurrection in your place, has removed Your sins. I forgive you. Go in peace and sin no more. Response: O Holy Spirit, Enter In 184 v.3 CW O mighty Rock, O Source of life, Let Your dear Word, in doubt and strife, In us be strongly burning That we be faithful unto death And live in love and holy faith, From You true wisdom learning. Your grace and peace on us shower; By Your power Christ confessing, Let us see our Savior s blessing. The Prayer of the Day LEADER: LORD God, You call Your family of faith to work in Your kingdom and to leave no one standing idle. Help me to direct my life by Your wisdom; ADULTS & CHILDREN: Also direct and bless me to serve You in willing obedience; I ask this along with all Your believers through Jesus Christ, Your eternal Son. He is our LORD and lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The Lord Moves us To Profess our Faith I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus, Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there, He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Pg 3 Bible Reading: JEREMIAH 11:18-20 Jeremiah faithfully followed the Word of the LORD. But what did Jeremiah get for his high calling and deep love? Hatred and mockery from the very ones he served. His sorrow is so great that it reminds us of the lament of Christ Himself. Faithfulness always costs. The cross always stings. But the reality is the LORD God will support and defend His own. When that happens, all shall acknowledge that God has acted justly. But until then, I shall stick with God s Word. I have been given heaven s message to proclaim. When you and I do so, others may hear and by God s gracious power be turned from the way of death and live. Do I see how deeply the love of Christ penetrated the heart of Jeremiah? Shall I do less for those around me? Good questions to ask myself everyday. JEREMIAH 11:18-20 18 The LORD revealed their plot to me so I became aware of it. He showed me what they were doing. 19 I was like a gentle Lamb led to the slaughter. I had not realized that they had plotted against me. They were saying: Let us destroy the tree along with its fruit. Let us cut him off from the land of the living, so that his name will no longer be remembered. 20 But, LORD of Armies, You judge righteously. You test the heart and mind. Let me see Your vengeance on them, for I have presented my case to You.
Pg 4 Bible Reading: MARK 9:30-37 Jesus is teaches about His soon-to-happensuffering. And all the Twelve can think and talk about is the glory they expect to get out of it? They are jealous? of whether someone else might be getting more attention? More glory? and more thanks than themselves? My goodness! could they be any more arrogant and ignorant of what Jesus is all about!? It s easy to focus in on self-centered sinners. But gaze deeply at the love and compassion of the Savior Jesus! It is a thousand times deeper and more profound than anyone deserves! Jesus does not trash His disciples. Jesus does not throw me away either. Instead He is patient with me. He wants all come to a knowledge of the Truth and live with Him forever in heaven! MARK 9:30-37 30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know this, 31 because He was teaching His disciples. He told them, The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. But three days after He is killed, He will rise. 32 But they did not understand the statement and were afraid to ask Him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, What were you arguing about on the way? 34 But they remained silent, because on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 Jesus sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, If anyone wants to be first, he will be the last of all and the servant of all. 36 Then He took a little child and placed him in their midst. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, 37 Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me, welcomes not just Me but also Him who sent Me. Adults & Children:
Pg 5 B IBLE R EADING: JAMES 3:13-18 Gentleness imitates Christ s own perfect gentleness and unselfish service to us. Jealous are, selfishness are rooted in hell demon thinking. Such attitudes in my life add to the suffering of other people and such attitudes hinder my proclamation of the gospel. The peace that comes from the gospel is crowded out by strife. Savior, help me to resist the pity-me songs like: ME FIRST!!! and IT S NOT FAIR THE WAY THEY TREAT ME!! and THEY DON T APPRECIATE ME!! and HOW COME GETS ALL THE ATTENTION?!! Instead, Holy Spirit, lead me to focus on serving and then serving yet more. That way I will be imitating my big Brother, Jesus. After all Jesus kept serving all to the cross, all the way to death, hell and back- - just for us! What else can I do to say thank You!? James 3:13 18 13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good way of living show that he does things in wise humility. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie, contrary to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but it is worldly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 In fact, where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and every bad practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then also peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who practice peace.
Pg 6 Victory Song of the Day: With the Lord Begin Your Task 478 CW Instruction in God s Word We Honor God and Serve Others with our Offerings Believers generously return to the Savior a portion of what God has generously given. If you are visiting with us today, please don t feel compelled to participate in this act of worship. If you do give, thank you so much for your generous support! We use these offerings to extend God s Word-work here at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School and from here out into Prayers the world. the Lord s Prayer C e l e b r at i o n o f H o ly C o m m u n i o n Words of Institution What is close communion? Simply put, Jesus did not give His Supper to every person in Jerusalem. Jesus did give His supper to those who were instructed, who by faith stood united with Him. [FYI About 2 centuries back, almost every Christian congregation respected this Biblical doctrine of close-communion.) Since forgiveness is freely announced throughout the worship service, why is this visible mercy of Jesus limited to united-confessionalcommunicants? That is a great question! The LORD Christ gave His Holy Communion for those a) repentant believers who are united in the faith, and b) able to discern His body and blood in/with/under the bread and wine, and c) were united in what He taught and practiced. Jesus did not give His holy supper
to all godly believers in Jerusalem. Similarly Jesus still affirms His Supper with His Word today. If you are visiting and do not know if you agree with all the Bible says and teaches, we look forward to helping you find answers. We will gladly introduce you to Pastor. He delights in teaching God s Good News to everyone. Songs for use during the distribution of the Holy Communion from the red song-books, Christian Worship: #474, 484, 510, 535 if needed Pg 7 After the Supper, we join to sing: tune: Abide with me #588cw 1 Jesus, to You a joyful song I raise with saints before me sounding notes of praise! Here I have heard and tasted wondrous grace that moved the mighty God to take my place; 2 How deep the holy joy that Christ designed: unleavened bread and fruit of living vine. Hidden from view God s strength to pass each test! Jesus has served and honored me, His guest; 3 Sunday and You arose! From death released! Joy in Your face; Your voice commanding, Peace! This is Your Supper, this the Gospel true: My sin forgiven, mercy ever new. Parting Song: We All Are Called To Service stanza 2 #566 CW
Pg 8 There are many ways to become a member of Good Shepherd: 1) a transfer from another WELS or ELS congregation; 2) a peaceful release from another Christian congregation; or 3) Bible classes covering six main teachings of God s Word. Let us build up and encourage each other in Jesus Christ the Savior. 1. Protects the Pre-eminence of God. You shall have no other gods. 2. Protects Truth. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. 3. Protects Worship. Remember the Sabbath day by setting it apart as holy. 4. Protects Authority Honor your father and mother, that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. 5. Protects Life. You shall not murder. 6. Protects marriage. You shall not commit adultery. 7. Protects property. You shall not steal. 8. Protects Reputation. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 9. Protects Liberty. You shall not covet your neighbor's house. 10. Protects Labor. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, workers, animals, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. Acknowledgments : Bible Readings: Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV) 2018 The Wartburg Project. Hymn: Jesus to you Text & Tune Abide With Me 1981-2018 Paul G OOD S H E P H E R D Evangelical Lutheran Church and School 10611 Hwy 13 South, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, USA 54494-9574 P A S T O R P A U L A.TULLBERG P R I N C I P A L /TEACHER D O N N A TULLBBERG