December 6, 2015 2 nd Sunday in Advent We Preach Christ Crucified ~1 Corinthians 1:23 An Affiliate of the Church of the Lutheran Confession www.clclutheran.org 9:00am Sunday School/Bible Class 10:00am Divine Service Visit us at: www.fdllutheran.com Church/Office (920) 922-7421 Pastor Neal Radichel Principal Dave Bernthal Teacher Jenn Ohlmann Altar cloths are purple; the color of royalty signifies Christ s rule in His eternal Kingdom. Welcome to all! This week s focus: Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:5 Today s service liturgy (how God serves us) and hymns: Red Hymnal p15 701 56:1-3 Communion: 755 & 387 56:4 Pre-service Psalm 82 (Red Hymnal pg.139) ~ Opening Bells / Prayer Our worship service centers and glorifies our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please turn off your cell phones to avoid distraction.
THE ORDER OF SERVICE I. WE PREPARE TO MEET OUR LORD THE INVOCATION We invoke ( call upon ) the name of our Triune God. PASTOR: We begin our Savior s worship service today in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. CONGREGATION: Amen! II. WE PRAISE OUR LORD OPENING HYMN: # 701:1-3 [Red Hymnal] III. OUR LORD SPEAKS TO US 1 ST SCRIPTURE LESSON ~ 2 SAMUEL 14:23-33 23 So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. 24 And the king said, "Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face." So Absalom returned to his own house, but did not see the king's face. 25 Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head -- at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him -- when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king's standard. 27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance. 28 And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king's face. 29 Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to send him to the king, but he would not come to him. And when he sent again the second time, he would not come. 30 So he said to his servants, "See, Joab's field is near mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire." And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. 31 Then Joab arose and came to Absalom's house, and said to him, "Why have your servants set my field on fire?" 32 And Absalom answered Joab, "Look, I sent to you, saying, 'Come here, so that I may send you to the king, to say, "Why have I come from Geshur? It would be better for me to be there still." ' Now therefore, let me see the king's face; but if there is iniquity in me, let him execute me." 33 So Joab went to the king and told him. And when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king. Then the king kissed Absalom. OPENING HYMN: # 701:4 [Red Hymnal]
2 ND SCRIPTURE LESSON ~ 1 JOHN 5 1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 6 This is the one who came by water and blood-- Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9 We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us-- whatever we ask-- we know that we have what we asked of him. 16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-- even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. 21 Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH ~ NICENE CREED The Nicene Creed was written to defend the Bible s teaching that the MAN Jesus Christ is not only true man, but also TRUE God. (Colossians 2:6-9) I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the 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 Spirit 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 sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. HYMN OF THE DAY: #56:1-4 [Red Hymnal] AUDIO/VIDEO IN CRYROOM FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN WHO NEED A BRIEF REMINDER Jesus said, " Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" ~Luke 11:28 SERMON MEDITATION read/watch sermons and services online at www.fdllutheran.org Jesus said, " Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" ~Luke 11:28 1 John 5:1-5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. Overcome the World with Christ! 1. Through Obeying His Commands 2. Through Trusting in His Love
THE OFFERTORY We Offer God our hearts again, praying for His Spiritual blessings! COMMUNION ANNOUNCMENT: (See also blue handout in entry tract rack) Holy Communion is rightly called a Sacrament because it is a Sacred act; not in what WE do for Christ, but in what Christ does for US! Because God s Word presents the reception of this Sacrament as a most intimate expression of spiritual and confessional unity (1 Corinthians 1:10; 10:16-17 Romans 16:17-18), we ask only those who have publicly professed such oneness of faith and belief with us by membership here or another CLC church come forward at this time. This is not a judgment of anyone s faith, but rather an expression of ours. Please speak with pastor if you are seeking a church home or have any questions. We d love to have you! IV. WE OFFER OURSELVES TO OUR LORD AN OFFERING OF THANKFUL HEARTS TO THE LORD So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7 SPECIAL PRAYERS ~ GENERAL PRAYER V. OUR LORD BLESSES US CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION OF SINS P: Knowing that God searches the heart, I ask you, are you sorry that you have sinned against Him in thought, word, and deed; and do you hope by the Holy Spirit, to amend your sinful life? Then declare so by saying, Yes, with the help of God.
C: Yes, with the help of God. P: Upon this confession of your sins, I announce the grace and peace of God to you, and by the authority and command of our Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all of your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. ALL: Amen. P: Lift up your hearts in the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ! P: Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God! P: It is right and spiritually beneficial that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord: ALL: Who above all we are moved to praise You for the glorious resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; for He is the very Paschal Lamb which was offered for us and has taken away the sins of the world; who by His death has destroyed death and by His resurrection has restored to us everlasting life. P: Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven, we magnify Your glorious Name, praising You singing: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY SANCTUS
THE LORD S PRAYER P: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: May this peace of our Lord be with you always! LAMB OF GOD AGNUS DEI
DISTRIBUTION HYMN: #755 & 387 [As printed below & TLH] 1. What is this bread? Christ s body risen from the dead: This bread we break, This life we take, Was crushed to pay for our release. Oh, taste and see- the Lord is peace. 2. What is this wine? The blood of Jesus shed for mine; The cup of grace, Brings His embrace, Of life and love, and so I sing: Oh taste and see- The Lord is King. 3. So who am I, That I should live and He should die, Under the rod. My God, my God, Why have You not forsaken me? Oh taste and see- the Lord is free. 4. Yet is God here? Oh, yes! By Word and promise clear. In mouth and soul, He makes us whole- Christ, truly present in this meal. Oh, taste and see- the Lord is real. 5. Is this for me? I am forgiven and set free! I do believe, That I receive, His very body and His blood. Oh, taste and seethe Lord is good. 6. How shall I live, For Him who fully doth forgive, My sinful ways? Through all my days, I ll strive to honor with praise- Until the end, my life amend. 7. What shall I fear, Though dangers threaten and be near? His promise sure, Makes me secure, He guides my life from year to year. So faithfully, God is with me. 8. I too shall rise, To join my Savior in the skies; When trumpets blast, And life is past- He will from death awaken me. Eternally, with Him I ll be. 9. What can I say, To ever thank Him for His grace? I ll take my place, Among His saints, And join my tongue in word and song. Oh, taste and see, Praise God with me! THANKSGIVING In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thes. 5:18). CONGREGATION SINGS: [Red hymnal, #659] Feed Thy children, God most holy, Comfort sinners poor and lowly; O Thou Bread of Life from heaven, Bless the food Thou here hast given! As these gifts the body nourish, May our souls in graces flourish Till with saints in heavenly splendor, At Thy feast due thanks we render! O LORD, NOW LET YOUR SERVANT NUNC DIMITTIS Latin: Now Dismiss. Simeon s words after seeing the Christ Child. (Luke 2:29-32)
THE BENEDICTION The blessing given by God for the blessing of His people (Numbers 6:24-26). P: The LORD bless thee and keep thee; The LORD make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee; The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. CLOSING HYMN: #56:5 ANNOUNCEMENTS Welcome to all! Guests, please sign our guest book in entryway and we hope you will come and join us again! Questions? (920) 922-7421 THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE: If the LORD wills, we will do this or that. James 4:15 *Online calendar at FDLlutheran.com / or go to facebook.com/fdl.lutheran Council, Ladies, & other minutes are online under Our Church / Documents
Dec 6 Sun Usher Team #2: Don S, Pete A, Mark R, Don G, Gene M, Stuart P Organist: Mrs. Fillmore / Counter: Don E CHURCH 9a Sunday School / Bible Class on Paul s Letter to the Galatians DECORATING 10a Divine Service w/communion/11a Choir /11:15a Public School Cat Dec 8 Tue 6p LM Ladies Christmas Party 6:45p Council / Missions Dec 9 Wed 10a Midweek Advent Service Dec 13 Sun Usher Team #3: Don E, Reuel D, Dave M, Andrew T, Eric W Organist: Mrs. Fillmore / Counter: Don E 9a Sunday School / Bible Class on Paul s Letter to the Galatians 10a Divine Service /11a Choir /11:15a Public School Catechism 11a Special Voters Meeting Discuss Building, Pastor Help, Organ UPCOMING DATES: Dec 20 Sun 1:30p Christmas Caroling Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 at 6:00pm Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 at 10:00am GET LMNEWS TEXTED TO YOUR PHONE = Just Text LMNEWS to 84483 CHURCH CLEANERS ARE NEEDED for December! Sign up on bulletin board to volunteer for ONE WEEK time slots. The 2016 calendar will be up soon! Please serve where you re able. LM Ladies Christmas Party is Tuesday, December 8 th beginning at 6:00pm. Please bring dish to pass and 2 dozen cookies for shut-ins. Secret Pals will be revealed and gifts will be exchanged. If you don t have a Pal yet you re welcome to bring a gift to exchange with others. CHRISTMAS BOXES have been placed by our Ladies Aid in the back of church if you desire to give a monetary gift to our Luther Memorial Called Workers and/or our Immanuel Professors. SERVING THE LORD The Church Council is seeking eligible and willing men of the congregation to be nominated for the Church Council in the New Year. May the LORD give you the same willing heart as Samuel: Speak LORD, for Your servant hears! Please talk to President Mike Siippert for more information. CLC Call News - The Rev. Michael Gurath, pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran, Phoenix, AZ, has returned the Call to Gethsemane Lutheran, Spokane Valley, WA. <> The Commissioning of CLC Foreign Missionary Peter Evensen will take place at 4:00 pm on Friday, December 18 th (a few hours prior to the ILC Christmas Concert) at Messiah Church, Eau Claire, WI. ILC Retirement: This week Professor John Pfeiffer announced to the Regents his retirement effective at the end of this current academic year. He had previously announced his intent to retire at the end of the 2016-17 school year, but some recent complications with health issues have led him to move up the date since he knows that time is needed in order to call another faculty member. The process for replacement is underway and further announcements will be forthcoming. We thank the Lord for the use of Prof. Pfeiffer s theological gifts for the edification of the congregations he served and for preparing pastors for ministry in our church body! May the Lord bless him in this next phase of his life and continue to enable him to use his extensive gifts in the Lord s kingdom. NOMINATIONS FOR ILC PRESIDENT: The Board of Regents invites nominations for the office of President of Immanuel Lutheran College. The current term of Professor Steve Sippert expires June 30, 2016. All pastors, professors, male teachers, and voting members of the CLC are entitled to nominate a man from the faculty of Immanuel Lutheran College to serve a twoyear term beginning July 1, 2016. Nominations must be written or E-mailed no later
than midnight January 5, 2016 to: Mr. Craig Ryan; 499 Country Lane; Fulda, MN 56131; E- Mail: cryan@page1printers.com. Immanuel Christmas Events: As Christmas approaches, there are a few upcoming Immanuel (ILC) events. On Sun., Dec. 13, 3 pm, there will be the piano/organ recital at the campus fieldhouse. The highlight of the music department will be the Christmas concert at Messiah Lutheran Church in Eau Claire on Fri., Dec. 18, 7:30 pm. This will include the flute choir, band, mass choir, and tour choir. The choir portion of the event is considered a sacred worship service as the students sing the Christmas Gospel message. This is always a spiritually edifying concert to help one focus, even in the midst of the busy holiday season, on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. This concert ends the busy Finals Week for the students as they conclude their first semester of the academic year with their various tests and projects. We pray the students will safely arrive at their homes in order to enjoy Christmas break with their families. The students resume classes on Jan. 11. THANK YOU! Words fail to express what needs saying at a time like this. My sister Jeanette, my brother Harry, and I (Paul), together with our parents, Gordon and Rhoda, want to express our thanks to you at Luther Memorial and to God for the blessings that have been ours over the last 50+ years of membership at Luther Memorial. Now that my Mom and Dad have arrived safely and are living by us in Watertown, SD, we ask your continued prayers on our behalf for God's blessings as Gordy and Rhoda become a part of our church family at Trinity. We also pray that the blessings of fellowship around the Word of God that had been ours at Luther Memorial will continue for all of you there -- and be blessed with hundredfold growth and depth! In our risen Savior, Pastor Paul Krause CHRISTMAS GIFTS? The book entitled Sheep & Shepherds is still available as well as the book entitled Poems of Prayer & Praise. Great Christmas gifts! Remember the last part of the Poem Book is devoted to the real meaning of Christmas. And of course, It Takes Cow Chips to Make Dinner makes great reading any time. (At least that is what I am told.) The prices are easy to50 remember: $12.00---$10.00---$8.00. Order from me or Immanuel Book House. My address is: Pastor Emeritus Dale Redlin 225 Crystal Circle Mankato, MN 56001 Phone: 625-2572 Also Deborah Ude s book, Steeple in the Distance is available. The historical setting presents Lutheran fiction with a spine, the spine of the cross. Consider it for a gift of encouragement to a family member, friend, or perhaps, as a witness for a co-worker. Especially if you have an avid reader on your Christmas list, this would fit. The saint/sinner struggles of the characters daily lives are also ours. Copies are available. The web site deborahude.com is not set up for credit cards. But you can place orders there. To save on postage an order can be packaged and ready for pick-up at the Immanuel Christmas concert, Dec. 18th. Payment, check or cash, at delivery. What is an Advent Wreath? Rich in symbolism, the Advent Wreath is just a custom meant to aid our worship as it reinforces our hope in the ultimate coming of our Lord. The wreath is covered with evergreen. Just as this species of tree is always green, so our hope for eternity is always alive because it rests upon the living Christ. The wreath is also in the form of a circle, which has no beginning and no end. What better way to picture that our life with God is everlasting. The lighted candles are symbolic of the light of Christ and His Gospel, which alone can lift us out of our sin & spiritual darkness. The 4 candles remind us of the 4000 years of waiting for Christ by the Old Testament world. Each of the 4 candles has been assigned a special name with special significance.
The Prophecy Candle is the 1st candle lit the first week in Advent. It is symbolic of the long years of waiting during which the prophets, inspired of God, kept alive the hope that the Son of God was coming to redeem His people from their sins. The Bethlehem Candle is the 2nd candle lit. It symbolizes the preparations being made for the coming of the Christ-child. The prophecy in Micah 5:2 that foretold Jesus' birthplace at Bethlehem may seem to be a minor revelation, but it shows how God prepared even the least detail for the coming of Christ. The Shepherds' Candle is the 3rd candle lit and reminds us of our responsibility to share the Savior and His promises. The shepherds left their task and went with haste to see the Christ-child; then they returned to tell others about the good news of the Savior. The Angels' Candle is lit the 4th week of Advent. It reminds us of the activity of the angels before and after Jesus' birth, bearing messages, ministering, protecting, praising; they will be with Jesus at His final coming on Judgment Day, to gather the nations. The light these candles put forth seems small; so does the gospel at times. But to those in lonely darkness, it is the powerful light that shows the way to Heaven. FRUITS OF FAITH PAST WEEK / FOR THE YEAR Bible Class 31 Worship 132/50 LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH CHURCH OF THE LUTHERAN CONFESSION Budgetary ($3365 budgeted per week) Budgetary ($606 budgeted per week) $2570 LM General Budget + Thanksgiving $504 CLC General Budget Non-Budgetary Non-Budgetary $25 LM School $5 ILC Student Aid Fund $3 LM Student Aid Fund $5 ILC Building Fund $5 LM Debt Retirement $ ILC Improvement Fund $42 LM Maintenance & Improvements $25 Mission Development-(MDF) $ LM Local Missions/Outreach $10/10 Project Kinship/Orphanage $50 LM Other: Future Fellowship Fund $45 CLC Other: Foreign Memorial gift (Designated): LM A/C ($15) LM Budgetary $175,000 (YTD Jan-Dec 48/52 wks) $140,195 LM $161,520 $0 $25,000 $50,000 $75,000 $100,000$125,000$150,000$175,000 CLC Budgetary $31,500 (YTD July-June 22/52 wks) CLC $11,925 $12,723 $0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 $30,000 Received Budget Received Budget IN OUR PRAYERS If you are hospitalized, please let pastor know if you would like a visit! In the Hospital or on Hospice: Frieda Birkheim was called from this veil of tears by our Lord on 12/1/15 Shut-ins: Pearl Becker (N6329 Colonial Dr), Evelyn Chase (Lutheran Home), Jim Fillmore (363 Taft St), Eileen Gantner (Woodlands), Ed Jacobs (868 W Scott St), Gloria Jacobs (Woodlands), Doris Kaiser (Woodlands), Jeanette Keipe (675 S. Main St.), John Lenburg (769 Mustang Ln), Marion Mach (Lutheran Home), Verdelle Manowske (Lakeshore, Oshkosh), Dorothy Schmolesky (101 Western Ave #311-A), Jim Steffen (N8652 Linden Beach Rd), Leah Wirkus (St. Peter s Place), Ruth Woller (Terrace Place, Seboygan)