God s Messengers Our Savior Lutheran Church Newton, Iowa July 21, 2013
OR SAVIOR LTHERAN CHRCH Missouri Synod www.oursavlutheran.com Email: oursavr@iowatelecom.net Office Phone: 641-792-1084 Reverend John M. Moore, Pastor Email: pastorjmmoore@iowatelecom.net Cell Phone: 521-3000 Rev. Dr. Fungchatou & Kalia Lo, Our Missionaries, Phnom Penh, Cambodia Rev. Carl & Chen Hsi Li Hanson Our Missionaries, Hong Kong, China Ninth Sunday after Pentecost July 21, 2013 We have a hearing assistance system. Contact an usher if you would like to use a personal receiver. Welcome to Our Savior Lutheran Church! We thank God you are here and pray that God s Word will speak to you today. Guests, we hope you will join us often as we gather around the Word. We want to know how we may serve you, so please sign the guest book. Also, please introduce yourself to those around you and to the Pastor. Those desiring to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament at the Altar, please review both sides of the Communion Registration Card in the pew before. If you are in agreement you may hand it to our usher as you come for communion. Those Serving This Week Celebrant: Elder: Lay Readers: Musician shers: Greeters: Altar Guild: Bulletin Assembler: Pastor John Moore Bill Rozendaal JoAnn Ringger Joy McGinley Jerry Boger & Ted Stanzyk Don & Sharon Pritchard Mary Bunse Maxine delhoven Attendance 7/14 96 Elders at Our Savior Chairman Doug Ringger Secretary Rick Hartz Charities Bill Rozendaal shers/music Gary Gerdts Altar Guild Gary Gerdts Lay Readers/Greeters Randy Ervin 2
God s Messengers July 21, 2013 PONDERING THE STORY (Today we explore chapter 15, pages 201-217, God s Messengers.) Because of Solomon s divided heart, the kingdom of Israel was divided. Ahijah the prophet tore his new cloak in 12 pieces and had Jeroboam select 10 pieces for himself, illustrating how Jeroboam would rule over ten tribes in judgment for Solomon s divided heart. Jeroboam was offered God s continuing favor and blessing, that he, too, would become a dynasty, if only he would be obedient to the Lord. He chose to worship lifeless carved images, instead, and his family was cut off. His reign was unfortunately a pattern for the rest of kings of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and most of the kings of the Southern Kingdom (Judah). More than 30 of the 38 kings led God s people into apostasy. Yet, God did not cease calling His people back to Himself. God sent messengers like Elijah and Hosea, empowered by His Spirit, to proclaim His Word and confront unfaithfulness and idolatry, and call His people back to Himself. Next week read chapter 16, pages 219-230.. PRE-SERVICE MSIC WELCOME AND ANNONCEMENTS OPENING HYMN Come, My Soul, with Every Care LSB 779, Stz. 1-4 INVOCATION P In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. THE LORD PROMISES TO HEAR HIS PEOPLE IN GRACE P pon filling the newly dedicated Temple with His Divine presence, the Lord said to Solomon: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14,15) Let us then approach God s throne of grace in sincerity and truth and confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of 3
Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. PSALM 34:1 8 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessèd is the man who takes refuge in him! Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! HYMN God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets Sons LSB 682, Stz. 1-3 A READING of THE STORY from GOD S HOLY WORD After a long time, in the third year, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land. So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab. When [Ahab] saw Elijah, he said to him, Is that you, you troubler of Israel? I have not made trouble for Israel, Elijah replied. But you and your father s family have. You have abandoned the LORD s commands and have followed the Baals. Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel s table. So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing. Then Elijah said to them, I am the only one of the LORD s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let Baal s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put 4
it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The god who answers by fire he is God. Then all the people said, What you say is good. Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire. So they took the bull given them and prepared it. (1 Kings 18:1-2, 17-26) HYMN God of the Prophets, Bless the Prophets Sons LSB 682, Stz. 4-5 A READING of THE STORY from GOD S HOLY WORD Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. Baal, answer us! they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. Shout louder! he said. Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened. So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention. Then Elijah said to all the people, Come here to me. They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down. 31 Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, Your name shall be Israel. With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs[a] of seed. He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood. Do it again, he said, and they did it again. Do it a third time, he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, The LORD he is God! The LORD he is God! (1 Kings 18:27-39) SERMON HYMN How Firm a Foundation LSB 728, Stz. 1-5 SERMON By Pastor John Moore God s Messengers 5
APOSTLES CREED OFFERING OFFERTORY INVITATION TO THE LORD S SPPER P Alleluia! Christ is risen! C He is risen indeed. Alleluia! P It was with joy on the night that Jesus was betrayed that he gathered with his friends to celebrate the Passover meal. Jesus knew his time with them was coming to an end, and he wanted to leave a gift that they would remember him by. Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to his disciples saying Take eat, this is my body, which is given for you for the forgiveness of all of your sins. Do this in remembrance of me. Jesus took the cup as well and blessed it and gave it to the disciples and said, Drink of it all of you, this is my blood of the new covenant, shed for you for the forgiveness of all of your sins. Every time you drink this cup remember me. C We come to your table Lord to receive you through the gifts of bread and wine. Come Lord Jesus! and teach us to pray THE LORD S PRAYER THE INVITATION P The table is prepared, the feast is ready, and Jesus is here. Come receive in faith the gifts he gives. C Thank you Jesus, for your invitation. We come to your table to receive from you your precious gifts. Amen. LAMB OF GOD (AGNS DEI) LSB 550 DISTRIBTION Jesus Shall Reign LSB 832 To Your Temple, Lord, I Come LSB 981 Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good LSB 819 PRAYER OF THE CHRCH BLESSING CLOSING SONG Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee LSB 803, LSB 1-3 6
Lord, Teach us to Pray Remember in your prayers... Darlene Seibert, Amanda Hartz s mom, as she continues with chemotherapy. Janna Putz, Janet Hartz s sister-in-law, recovering from surgery. Max Hodges and Roger Holst, ongoing health concerns. Those in need of healing of mind, body or spirit. Blessings on our community and the seeds planted during Impact World Tour. The Ministry of the Hephzibah House. Rod Brouwer of the Ministries of Grace Without Borders. The Ministry of The Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa. Fungchatou & Kalia Lo, Our Missionaries to Cambodia. Carl & Chen Hsi Li Hanson, Our Missionaries to Hong Kong, China. Ed Strohschein, Business Manager for LCMS World Mission - Asian - Pacific. The Malaria Initiative and the end of Malaria deaths in the world. This Week at Our Savior... Sunday (21).............. 9:00am The Story........................ 10:30am Sunday School & Adult Bible Study Tuesday (23)............. Bulletin Deadline Wednesday (24)........... 7:00pm The Story @ Bridgehouse Coffee Co. Friday (26)............... 6:30am Bible Study @ Midtown........................ 7:00pm Church Cleaning Sunday (28).............. 9:00am The Story........................ 10:30am Sunday School & Adult Bible Study VBS ~ Kingdom Rock July 29th through August 3rd Ha p p y B i r t h d a y July 26th Jeremy Berndt 7
Announcements PDATE ON RAISING THE ROOF As of last Sunday, we have raised $12,320 for our new roof. The total needed is $28,000. Thank you so much for all of the generous contributions. We will be continuing to collect funds. Simply mark your check as Roof Fund and place in the collection plate. VBS REGISTRATION FORMS are available under the mailboxes in the Narthex and in the church office. It would be helpful for planning if you would pre-register your children. Please put completed registration forms in Chris Roby s or Rachelle Tipton s mailboxes. Kingdom Rock is July 29 - Aug. 2, from 9-11am each day. If you have a child(ren) that need a ride to VBS, July 29-Aug. 2, please contact Gail Hartz at 792-9546 or Christy Roby at 227-3258. We will try and arrange for transportation. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS of Central Iowa is experiencing growth in Jasper County, and we are in serious need of mentors to place with the children in our county that needs help. We have a waiting list for our Community-Based Program, mainly of boys who need Big Brothers, Big Duos or Family Matches. Our Littles come from every community in Jasper County. The minimum requirement for Community-Based Mentoring is two visits and four hours per months, not really much time when considering the difference it can make in the life of a child and his or her future. We currently have School Based-Programs in EVERY public elementary school in Jasper County, and have children waiting for mentors there, as well. We have volunteer applications in the OSL office. Prayerfully consider making a difference is someone s life. FALL ENROLLMENT is now open at Newton Christian School. Students entering 5th 8th grades are eligible for 25 50% off their tuition thanks to the NICE Scholarship provided by Pella Christian High. For information and an application, see www.newtonchristianschool.com or call 792-1924. PREPARE, INSPIRE, NORISH, GO: WORKSHOPS Two regional workshops will be held in August to give you practical and timely helps for your societies. Register today to get the latest, greatest and most up to date LWML info. You will be PING d with ideas for your society and congregation! Bring a friend! Bring your pastor! See registration form in the June 2013 issue of the ALIVE for more details! Saturday, August 10, 9am 2:15pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hampton. Saturday, August 24, 9am 2:15pm at St Paul Lutheran Church, Marion. 8