THE DIVINE SERVICE February 24, 2013 The Service of Entrance HYMN OF INVOCATION Let All Things Now Living Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving to God the Creator triumphantly raise, who fashioned and made us, protected and stayed us, who guides us and leads to the end of our days. His banners are over us, his light goes before us, a pillar of fire shining forth in the night, till shadows have vanished and darkness is banished, as forward we travel from light into light. His law he enforces: the stars in their courses, the sun in its orbit, obediently shine; the hills and the mountains, the rivers and fountains, the deeps of the ocean proclaim him divine. We too should be voicing our love and rejoicing, with glad adoration a song let us raise, till all things now living unite in thanksgiving to God in the highest, hosanna and praise! Minister: Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; People: We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Minister: In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Minister: Let us pray. PRAYER OF ADORATION
CORPORATE CONFESSION OF SIN We sing the words of Psalm 51, asking the Lord to give us clean hearts as we prepare to confess our sins. (The choir will sing these same words later in the service.) Minister: Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy. Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. 2
People: Almighty and most merciful Father; we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. DECLARATION OF ABSOLUTION Minister: Hear the Word of the Gospel: Christ has died for our sins and been raised for our justification. All you who repent of your sin and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for your salvation, rejoice and be glad and give glory to the Lord who has taken away all of your sins in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. People: Amen. Minister: Our help is in the name of the Lord, People: the Maker of heaven and earth. Minister: O Lord, open our lips, People: and our mouth will declare your praise. THE GLORIA Luke 2:14 3
The Service of the Word THE PSALTER Psalm 4 Answer when I call, O God who justifies. In my stress you freed me; hear in grace my cries. Sons of men, how long will you my glory shame? Will you love what s worthless? Will lies be your aim? Know the Lord his saints has set apart in grace, And the Lord will hear me when I seek his face. Tremble in your anger, yet from sin depart. On your bed in silence speak within your heart. May you sacrifice now sacrifices just. In Jehovah only placing all your trust. Who will show us goodness? many people say; The light of your face, Lord, lift on us, we pray. You have given my heart greater joy by far Than when grain and new wine most abundant are. So in peace I lie down; I will rest and sleep, For, O Lord, you only will me safely keep. YOUTH CHOIR What a comfort we have knowing Jesus is near it makes our hearts glad! My heart ever faithful, sing praises, be joyful, Sing praises, be joyful, thy Jesus is near! Away with complaining, faith ever maintaining, My Jesus is here! My heart ever faithful, sing praises, be joyful, Thy Jesus is here! THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON Jeremiah 26:8-13 Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! 4
THE EPISTLE LESSON Philippians 3:17 4:1 Paul says that some people are worth imitating, and others are enemies of Christ. What does it mean that our citizenship is in heaven? 3:17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. Leader: This is the Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God! He Who Would Valiant Be He who would valiant be gainst all disaster, Let him in constancy follow the Master. There s no discouragement shall make him once relent his first avowed intent to be a pilgrim. Who so beset him round with dismal stories do but themselves confound his strength the more is. No foes shall stay his might, though he with giants fight: He will make good his right to be a pilgrim. Since, Lord, thou dost defend us with thy Spirit, we know we at the end shall life inherit. Then fancies flee away! I ll fear not what men say, I ll labor night and day to be a pilgrim. 5
PRAYER OF SUPPLICATION AND THANKSGIVING Unison: 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 debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. THE GOSPEL LESSON Luke 15:11-32 Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise be to you, O Christ. MORNING SERMON Rev. D. P. Cassidy Luke 15:11-32 11 There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me. And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the 6
fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to celebrate. 25 Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound. 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him! 31 And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found. I always like to come home because: The younger brother got what he asked for, and that didn t turn out so well. Can you remember something you asked for and your parents said, No? Was that because they were trying to make you unhappy or because they loved you? Verse 13 says the younger son went to a far country. Do you think the father missed his son when he was so far away? Do you think the father knew what would happen to his son? 7
Jesus said that the father saw his son while he was still a long way off (verse 20). Do you think he was watching for him, hoping he would come home? Are you glad your parents watch out for you and are so happy when you come home? 8
Name the three gifts the father bestowed on his recovered son as he gave him a big homecoming party. 1. 2. 3. Was the father angry with the older son for not coming to the party? (Later at home, ask your parents to help you think more about this question.) 9
The Service of the Table CORPORATE CONFESSION OF FAITH Nicene Creed Unison: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made: Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. 10
PASSING OF THE PEACE This is more than just a time to say, Good morning! How are you? We offer a word of peace and love to one another in the name of Christ, demonstrating that we are all part of his body. Minister: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you! Minister: Let us offer one another a sign of peace. TITHES AND OFFERINGS Psalm 24:1 Minister: The earth is the Lord s, and the fullness thereof; People: the world, and they that dwell therein. How Deep the Father s Love for Us As we sing this song, we think about how much our Heavenly Father loves us, just as the father in our sermon lesson loved his sinful sons. How deep the Father s love for us, how vast beyond all measure That he should give his only son, to make a wretch his treasure How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turned his face away As wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory. Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished. I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no pow r, no wisdom: But I will boast in Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart; his wounds have paid my ransom. 11
Minister: Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendor, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours. THE GREAT THANKSGIVING Minister: The Lord be with you! People: And also with you! Minister: Lift up your hearts! People: We lift them up to the Lord! Minister: Let us give thanks to our Lord God! People: It is good and right to do so! Minister: It is very good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. You bid your people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast. Renew our zeal in faith and life, and bring us to the fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we praise and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and singing: Isaiah 6:3, Matthew 21:9 12
COMMUNION HYMN (as the bread is served) For the Bread Which You Have Broken For the bread which you have broken, For the wine which you have poured, For the words which you have spoken, Now we give you thanks, O Lord. By this pledge, Lord, that you love us, By your gift of peace restored, By your call to heaven above us, Hallow all our lives, O Lord. As our blessed ones adore you, Seated at our Father s board, May the Church still waiting for you Keep love s tie unbroken, Lord. In your service, Lord, defend us; In our hearts keep watch and ward, In the world to which you send us Let your kingdom come, O Lord. 13
AGNUS DEI COMMUNION HYMN (as the cup is served) Glory Be to Jesus Glory be to Jesus, who in bitter pains Poured for me the lifeblood from his sacred veins. Grace and life eternal in that blood I find; Blest be his compassion, infinitely kind. Abel s blood for vengeance pleaded to the skies; But the blood of Jesus for our pardon cries. Blest through endless ages be the precious stream Which from endless torment did the world redeem. Oft as earth exulting wafts its praise on high, Angel hosts rejoicing make their glad reply. Lift we then our voices, swell the mighty flood; Louder and still louder praise the precious blood. BENEDICTION DEPARTING HYMN O Lord, Throughout These Forty Days O Lord, throughout these forty days you prayed and kept the fast; Inspire repentance for our sin, and free us from our past. Be with us through this season, Lord, and all our earthly days, That when the final Easter dawns, we join in heaven s praise. 14
Did You Notice? Look at the picture on the cover what is happening? Which person in the picture does the artist focus on? This is a painting by an artist named Rembrandt van Rijn. He called his painting The Return of the Prodigal. At Home This Week Read again the story Jesus tells in Luke 15 about the father and his two sons. It is usually called the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Can you think of another fitting title for it? Why would The Parable of the Father s Welcome be a good one? 15