This week's service
Here is the Order of Service for this week's primary service (normally the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service). For more Bible readings and devotionals, contact Pastor or check LCMS links on this website.
THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
May 13, 2012
10:30 — A Service of Communion
We extend a friendly welcome to each worshiper! It is a joy to gather
in the Lord’s house and share in the worship of the living and loving God.
Our visitors are invited to stop at the resource table in the main hallway as you leave today and take home any of the free materials.
Members and Visitors: Please sign the friendship pad located in the pew in front of you.
AS WE GATHER
In today's Gospel Jesus proclaims, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you." And His purpose in telling us this is "that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." The joyful life of the forgiven sinner, now declared a saint by the mercy of God, is ours because of what Jesus did for us on the cross.
THE PRELUDE
THE WELCOME
THE RITE OF FRIENDSHIP
THE OPENING SONG: “Son of God, Eternal Savior” (LSB #842)
THE INVOCATION:
P: In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS:
P: Let us confess our sin to God, our merciful Father.
Almighty God,
ALL: Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all people, we admit and confess our sinfulness. We have turned away from each other in our thinking, speaking, and doing. We have done the evil You forbid and have not done the good You demand. We do repent and are truly sorry for these our sins. Have mercy on us, kind Father, because of the obedience of our Brother, Jesus Christ, Your Son. Forgive us all that is past, and with the power of the Holy Spirit move us to serve You faithfully. Set our feet upon the new path of life, and build Your kingdom here through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
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 Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
THE PSALM: Based on Psalm 98
P: People have proclaimed God’s praises throughout the ages.
C: Now it is our turn to worship the Lord and to announce God’s presence and His loving concern for the inhabitants of this world.
P: His power is as great today as it ever was.
C: He continues to reign over His universe and the creatures that move in this world.
P: He alone is the true God. He offers to all people His salvation.
C: He is close to His children and servants and fills the hearts of His children with joy.
P: Now, as His children and servants, let us express this joy.
C: With voice and musical instruments, with lovely melodies and joyful sounds, let us proclaim the glory of God.
P: Let us fill our homes and sanctuaries, our halls of learning, our factories and marketplaces, even the streets of our city, with sounds of celebration.
C: God is here; God is now!
ALL: 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. From Psalms/Now by Leslie F. Brandt
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY:
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray;
ALL: God, You are the one who gives us every good thing. Inspire us so we may only think what is right. And then guide us so that we may put those thoughts into action; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE SONG: “Children of the Heavenly Father” (LSB #725)
THE FIRST READING: Acts 10:34–48
Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
R: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
THE EPISTLE READING: 1 John 5:1–8
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.
R: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: John 15:9–17
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fifteenth chapter.
C: Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.”
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to You, O Christ.
THE NICENE CREED:
ALL: 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 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 at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And 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 worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian 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.
THE SERMON HYMN: “Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace” (LSB #844)
Lord of all nations, grant me grace to love all people, ev’ry race;
And in each person may I see my kindred, loved, redeemed by Thee.
Break down the wall that would divide Thy children, Lord, on ev’ry side.
My neighbor’s good let me pursue; let Christian love bind warm and true.
Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred by loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do will grieve my wounded Lord anew.
Give me Thy courage, Lord, to speak whenever strong oppress the weak.
Should I myself the victim be, help me forgive, rememb’ring Thee.
With Thine own love may I be filled and by Thy Holy Spirit willed,
That all I touch, where’er I be, may be divinely touched by Thee. Text (sts. 1–5): © 1969 Concordia Publishing House Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100012771.
THE SERMON: “For Everybody, Forever!” Acts 10:39-48
THE OFFERING IS COLLECTED
THE SONG: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee”
I am weak but thou art strong. Jesus keep from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk. Let me walk close to thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee. Jesus, grant my humble plea.
Daily walking close to Thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares. If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee. Jesus, grant my humble plea,
Daily walking close to Thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Just a closer walk with Thee. Jesus, grant my humble plea.
Daily walking close to Thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
SILENT PRAYERS
The congregation is encouraged to take a few moments to pray silently for anything that weighs heavily on our hearts. We are also encouraged to pray for those in our lives who do not know Christ that the Holy Spirit may work powerfully to bring them to saving faith.
THE SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT:
P: Brothers and sisters in Christ, I appeal to you by God’s mercy to offer your very selves to Him; a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for His acceptance, the worship offered by mind and heart. Adapt yourselves no longer to the pattern of this present world, but let your minds be remade and your whole nature thus transformed. Then you will be able to know the will of God, and to know what is good, acceptable, and perfect.
THE LORD'S PRAYER:
P: Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
ALL: 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.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD:
P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My X body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My X blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
THE DISTRIBUTION: “In the Garden” by Charles Austin Miles
Mildy Genz and Kim Huebscher
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: 691, RH# 48
THE DISMISSAL:
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in body and soul to life everlasting. Depart in peace.
C: Amen.
THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER:
P: Let us pray.
Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a preview of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood. Strengthen our faith for our entire lives so that, when Jesus returns, we may celebrate the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
THE 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 X give you peace.
C: Amen.
THE CLOSING SONG: “I’ll Fly Away”
Some glad morning when this life is o’re, I’ll fly away.
To a home on God’s celestial shore. I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away O Glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, oh I’ll fly away.
Just a few more weary days and then I’ll fly away.
To a land where joy shall never end. I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away O Glory I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, oh I’ll fly away.
Some glad morning when this life is o’re. I’ll fly away.
To a home on God’s celestial shore. I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away O Glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, oh, I’ll fly away.
I’ll fly away O Glory, I’ll fly away.
When I die, hallelujah by and by, oh, I’ll fly away
Acknowledgments
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version,
© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
The altar flowers are given to the glory of God
By Joan Pawlik in loving memory of her mom, Rose Hinz.
SERVING IN GOD'S HOUSE
May 13, 2012 Worship Service
PASTOR: Rev. John Otte
EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Renette Stinson
CHOIR DIRECTOR: Virginia Flo
ORGANIST/PIANO: Beth Ekblad
* Indicates Head Usher
Ushers: 8:00 - *Don Volbrecht, Bob Simon, Bob & Colleen Kuehnast, Muriel Rose
Ushers: 10:30 - *Mike Pittelkow, Kevin Kuehn, Robert Pittelkow, Brian Zemke,
Andrew Zemke
Communion Helpers: 8:00 – Don Volbrecht 10:30 – Joe Murray
Readers: 8:00 – Cathy Johnston 10:30 – Candy Kuehn
Greeters: 8:00 - Needed 10:30 - Bob & Colleen Kuehnast, Lois Groves,
Donna Marklowitz
Acolytes: 8:00 – Jasmine Stahl 10:30 – Collin Kuehn
Altar Guild: Needed
Taping: Anna Simon