FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Saturday, September 1, 2018 6:30 p.m. Sunday, September 2, 2018 8:00 & 10:45 a.m. As We Gather Make [the works of the Lord] known to your children and your children s children (Deut. 4:9). Each generation has a responsibility, and privilege, of passing on the works of God to the next generation. Through the work of the congregation, the community, and the family, the gift of faith is passed from one person to the next. Each of today s readings remind us to stand firm in our Lord s truth and to walk carefully in how we live. May we develop each day the spiritual habits that promote not only our own growth, but the growth of others. Prelude & Welcome Entrance Hymn (Please stand on the first verse) A Mighty Fortress Is Our God LSB 656 1 A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from ev ry need That hath us now o ertaken. The old evil foe Now means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal. 3 Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow r us. This world s prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him. 2 With might of ours can naught be done, Soon were our loss effected; But for us fights the valiant One, Whom God Himself elected. Ask ye, Who is this? Jesus Christ it is, Of Sabaoth Lord, And there s none other God; He holds the field forever. Invocation P: In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. 0
Confession & Absolution Based on Deut. 41-2, 6-9; Psalm 51:10-12 P: As we draw near this day as the people of God, called and gathered according to His holy purposes, we must admit that we have not always stood firm in the righteousness and truth that is ours in Christ Jesus. We therefore come humbled by our failings and seek reconciliation and renewal by the power of our God. Let us therefore draw near with a true heart as we confess: C: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Amen. P: Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit. Hymn of Praise Come, Thou Almighty King LSB 905 Salutation and Prayer of the Day L: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. L: Let us pray. O God, our strength is not found in our knowledge or our power, but in Christ alone. Give us good courage, that we would stand firm in the midst of the tribulations of life, knowing that You alone are sufficient for every time of need; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 1
The Word of the Lord Old Testament (Please be seated) Keep Your Soul Diligently Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6, 8-9 1 And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you... 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and just decrees so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? 9 Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children s children L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Epistle Be Strong in the Lord Ephesians 6:10-19 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel L: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Alleluia and Verse (Please stand) LSB 156 2
Holy Gospel Things from Outside and Sins from Within Mark 7:14-23 14 And [Jesus] called the people to him again and said to them, Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him. 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled? (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ. Children s Message (Please be seated) Hymn of the Day Fight the Good Fight LSB 664 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. -- Psalm 96:1-3 3
Sermon Jesus Comes to Change Perspectives Mark 7:14-23 1) Focusing not on the, but on the that truly matter. 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him 21 For from within, out of the heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person (Mark 7:14-15, 21-23). 2) comes from the. Ironically, comes from the. Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! (Isaiah 55:1a) Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8) Baptism now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21) Listen to past sermons or share them with a friend at clcs.org/sermons. 4
Apostles' Creed (Please stand) I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. And 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 sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence 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 T everlasting. Amen. Pastoral Greeting & Rite of Fellowship (Please be seated) (Welcome! Please add your name to the fellowship pad.) Gathering of Offerings (As an act of worship and thanksgiving, we offer to God what He has first given to us: the first and best of our lives, time, talents and financial gifts. If you would like to contribute electronically, either onetime or ongoing gifts, please use www.clcs.org/donate or the QR code here.) Lord's Prayer & Prayer of the Church (Please stand) P: Lord, we are too often consumed with our wants and desires in this life, but You know what we truly need. Shape not only our lives, but also our prayers to reflect Your good and gracious will for us. Strengthen in us an unwavering faith and teach us to pray: C: 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. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. L: Lord God, You have created us in Your image and called us as Your people. Help us to reflect the light of Your love and goodness into the lives of those around us. Cleanse us from everything and anything that would hide Your grace. May we point others back to You, even in our moments of weakness. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. L: On this Labor Day weekend, we praise You especially for Your gift of work in our many callings. Free us from thinking of that gift as drudgery. Help us to welcome labor with joy as an opportunity to be a blessing to our neighbors. Remember especially all who desire work but can find no gainful employment, as well as those no longer able to work as they would like. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. L: Even as we celebrate this weekend and the gift of meaningful work, teach us also to slow down in life to enjoy the bounty of Your creation and the blessing of Your Sabbath rest. You invite us to find rest not only for our body but also for our soul in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Help us to find peace from our strivings and anxieties, as we lay down our burdens of life. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. 5
L: Look in compassion on all who bear public office and public responsibility in our land. Give them wisdom, courage and integrity. Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. P: We place into Your hands today Your servants who have asked for our prayers ( special petitions). Lord, in Your mercy, C: hear our prayer. L: Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. The 6:30 p.m. & 10:45 a.m. service continues on page 10 with the Benediction. Holy Communion Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life. He says: Come, for those who eat this bread and drink this cup will never hunger or thirst, but be raised up on the Last Day (John 6). Whoever receives the Lord s Supper must be a believer in Christ (Hebrews 11:6); be sorry for their sins (Proverbs 28:13); believe that Christ offers His body and blood with the bread and wine (1 Corinthians 10:16); and be willing to forgive those who have sinned against you (Matthew 6:14-15). Come with faith in His promises to you and His presence in this holy meal. As you approach the Lord s table, please move to the cross on the center rail. Gluten-free wafers are available on the two stands at the front of the church. Worshippers with a gluten allergy may pick up a sealed packet on their way to the communion rail. Service of Holy Communion 8:00 a.m. Preface P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P: It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who, out of love for His fallen creation, humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, even death upon a cross. Risen from the dead, He has freed us from eternal death and given us life everlasting. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing: 6
Sanctus LSB 161 The Words of Institution & the Peace of the Lord P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. Agnus Dei LSB 163 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. -- 1 Corinthians 10:17 7
Distribution Hymn (Please be seated) Oh, That the Lord Would Guide My Ways LSB 707 Distribution Hymn Jesus Thy Boundless Love to Me LSB 683 8
Post-Communion Canticle (Please stand) Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing LSB 924 Communion Blessing Post-Communion Prayer L: Let us pray. Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son's body and blood. Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. ****************************************************************************************** 6:30 p.m. & 10:45 a.m. service continues here Benediction P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace. I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. -- Psalm 121:1, 8 9
Sending Hymn Lord, Dismiss Us with Your Blessing LSB 924 Postlude Mark your calendars for our annual outdoor worship service (11:00 a.m.) and church picnic (12:00 p.m.) at German Park (8600 S. Meridian Street, 46227) on Sunday, September 16 th. Please Note: Our 6:30 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. services will be held as normally scheduled here in the Sanctuary the weekend of the picnic. 10