November 15, 2020

WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, and a special welcome to any who are visitors to our church. Visitors are asked to sign our guest book in the narthex and introduce themselves to the pastor. May God bless you with His love and strengthen you in your faith. Please return whenever the opportunity presents itself. _________________________________________________________________________________

Twenty-Fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 20, 2020

Liturgy: Divine Service-Setting Three (pages 184-202) Hymns: #531, #781, #620, #783

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THE INTROIT

Ps. 143:2, 5-6, 10-11; antiphon: Ps. 143:1

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for / mercy!

In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your / righteousness!

Enter not into judgment with Your / servant,

for no one living is righteous be- / fore You.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that / You have done;

I ponder the work / of Your hands.

I stretch out my / hands to You;
my soul thirsts for You like a / parched land.

Teach me to do Your will, for You / are my God!

Let Your good Spirit lead me on / level ground!

For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pre- / serve my life!

In Your righteousness bring my soul out of / trouble!

All: Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit;

as it was in the be- / ginning, is now, and will be forever. / Amen.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my pleas for / mercy!

In Your faithfulness answer me, in Your / righteousness!

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor: Almighty and ever-living God, You hae given exceedingly great and precious promises to those who trust in You. Dispel from us the works of darkness and grant us to live in the light of Your Son, Jesus Christ, that our faith may never be found wanting; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN.

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Zephaniah 1:7-16 (ESV) Be silent before the Lord God! 8For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated His guests. And on the day of the Lord’s sacrifice — “I will punish the officials and the king’s sons and all who array themselves in foreign attire. On that day I will punish everyone who leaps over the threshold, and those who fill their master’s house with violence and fraud. “On that day,” declares the Lord, “a cry will be heard from the Fish Gate, a wail from the Second Quarter, a loud crash from the hills. Wail, O inhabitants of the Mortar! For all the traders are no more; all who weigh out silver are cut off.And that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will He do ill.’ 13Their goods shall be plundered, and their houses laid waste. Though they build houses, they shall not inhabit them; though they plant vineyards, they shall not drink wine from them.”
The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.

GRADUAL

All: These are the ones coming out of the great tribu- / lation.
They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood / of the lamb.
Blessed are those whose strength is / in You, in whose heart are the highways to / Zion.

THE EPISTLE 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (ESV) 

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 25:14-30 (ESV)

 [Jesus said:] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying,‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

* * * ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *

ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the glory of God.

DRIVE THRU COMMUNION - We will be offering a drive-thru communion for members of the Tri-Parish who have been worshiping online but who are uneasy about attending in person worship or having the pastor visit their home with the Sacrament. The opportunity will be offered on Monday, November 16 from 1-3pm at Bethel Lutheran Church, 301 Scott Ave in Glenshaw. No appointment is necessary. Arrangements can be made for another time or for a home visit by calling the pastor.

What to expect: You will remain in your car. The pastor, masked, will remain at a distance. You will be given a paper outlining a brief service which will include: Confession and Absolution; Scripture; A Brief Devotional Reflection; Creed; Prayer; and Holy Communion. The elements will be extended to you in a way that maintains distancing. This brief service will be roughly 10minutes in length.

VICAR WOOLWEBER – will have regular office hours at Bethel every Wednesday from 8:30am until 4pm. You can call him at Bethel during those hours or you can also reach him by calling his cell phone at 747-232-4911.

CONGRATULATIONS – to Sherrie Purucker and Fred Heintz who have both been elected to the Board of Directors at Concordia.

BETHEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS - will meet on Tuesday, November 17th at 7pm.

TRI-PARISH COMMITTEE MEETING – has been postponed. The Tri-Parish Constitution Committee will meet instead on Wednesday, November 18th at 7pm at St. John’s.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE - will be held on Wednesday, November 25th at 7pm at St. John’s. The Tri-Parish “Joyful Noise” Handbell Choir will be performing at the Thanksgiving Eve Service.

November 8, 2020

WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, and a special

welcome to any who are visitors to our church. Visitors are asked to sign our guest book in the narthex and introduce themselves to the pastor. May God bless you with His love and strengthen you in your faith. Please return whenever the opportunity presents itself.

____________________________________________________________________________

Twenty-Third Sunday after Pentecost November 8, 2020

Liturgy: Matins (pages 219-228)* Hymns: #811, #514, #729

*Hymn 941 in place of the canticle

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THE PSALM—-Ps. 84:1, 9-12; antiphon: Ps. 84:5

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may / lay her young,

at Your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King / and my God.

How lovely is Your / dwelling place, O / Lord of hosts!

Behold our shield, / O God;
look on the face of Your a- / nointed!

For a day in the courts is better than a thousand / elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of / wickedness.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and / honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk up- / rightly.

O / Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the one who / trusts in You!

Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit;
as it was in the be / ginning,
is now, and will be forever. / Amen.

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may / lay her young,

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING—- Amos 5:18-24 (ESV) 

Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light, as if a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him, or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall, and a serpent bit him. Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it?

“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though
you offer Me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look open them. Take away from Me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen. But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

THE EPISTLE —-1 Thessallonians 4:13-18 (ESV) 

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. with these words. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

THE HOLY GOSPEL —-Matthew 25:1-13(ESV)

[Jesus said:] “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also saying, “Lord, Lord open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor: Lord God, heavenly Father, send forth Your Son to lead home His bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Congregation: AMEN.

* * ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *

ALTAR FLOWERS are placed to the Glory of God.

TRI-PARISH CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE MEETING – will be held on Wednesday,

November 11th at 7pm at Bethel.

DRIVE THRU COMMUNION. - We will be offering a drive-thru communion for members of the Tri -Parish who have been worshiping online but who are uneasy about attending in person worship or having the pastor visit their home with the Sacrament. The opportunity will be offered on Monday, November 16th from 1-3pm at Bethel. No appointment is necessary. Arrangements can be made for another time or for a home visit by calling the pastor.

What to expect: You will remain in your car. The pastor, masked, will remain at a distance. You will be given a paper outlining a brief service which will include: Confession and Absolution; Scripture; A Brief Devotional Reflection; Creed; Prayer; and Holy Communion. The elements will be extended to you in a way that maintains distancing. This brief service will be roughly 10minutes in length.

BETHEL BOARD OF DIRECTORS—is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17th at 7pm. TRI-PARISH COMMITTEE MEETING - (large group) will meet on Wednesday, November 18th

at 7pm at St. John’s.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE –is scheduled for Wednesday, November 25th at 7pm at St. John’s. The Tri-Parish “Joyful Noise” Handbell Choir will be performing. Come and hear the beautiful sound of the bells!

November 1, 2020 - All Saints Day

All Saints Day   November 1, 2020

DIVINE SERVICE:  Setting One

(Lutheran Service Book, pp. 151-166)

Use this insert as a bookmark in the hymnal.  Please turn off all cell phones!

HYMNS –   LSB 677, 672, 633, 670

PRESERVICE MUSIC

Please observe a time of quiet meditation when the organ begins playing.  You are encouraged to use the prayers on pp. 308-309 in LSB or any of the Psalms.

RINGING OF THE BELL

ANNOUNCEMENTS

✞  THE PREPARATION  ✞

OPENING HYMN   (we stand and sing)     LSB 677

“For All the Saints”

INVOCATION   p. 151

CONFESSION & ABSOLUTION   p. 151

INTROIT   (spoken responsively) (Ps. 31:1, 3 ,5; antiphon: Rev. 7:14b)

Pastor: These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.

They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Congregation: In You, O Lord, do I take refuge;

     let me never be put to shame;

in Your righteousness deliver me.

For You are my rock and my fortress;

and for Your name’s sake You lead me and guide me.

Into Your hand I commit my spirit;

You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

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.

These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.  They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

KYRIE   (responses are sung)   pp. 152-153

HYMN OF PRAISE   p. 155

🎵“This is the feast…”

John 3:1-3

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.  The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  2Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.  3And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.         (ESV)

Lector:   This is the Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

ALLELUIA VERSE   (we stand and sing)   p. 156

🎵“Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go …”

GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12

Pastor:  The Holy Gospel According to St. Matthew, the 5th chapter.

People: 🎵Glory to You, O Lord.

Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

2And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account.  12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV)

Pastor:   This is the Gospel of the Lord.

People: 🎵Praise to You, O Christ.

REMEMBRANCE OF THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED

HYMN OF THE DAY   (please be seated)     LSB 672

“Jerusalem the Golden”

SERMON

✞  OUR RESPONSE  ✞

NICENE CREED   p. 158

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

OFFERING   (please be seated)

OFFERTORY   (we stand and sing)   pp. 159 -160

🎵“What shall I render to the Lord ...”

✞  THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION  ✞

(pp. 160 ff. in the Lutheran Service Book)

 If you have not communed at St. John’s before, please speak with Pastor before communing here for the first time.

DISTRIBUTION HYMN   (please be seated)     LSB 633

“At the Lamb’s High Feast We Sing”

POST COMMUNION CANTICLE   (we stand and sing)   p. 164

🎵“Thank the Lord and sing His praise …”

PRAYER   p. 166

BENEDICTION   p. 166

CLOSING HYMN   (we stand and sing)     LSB 670

“Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones”

SILENT PRAYER

POSTLUDE

October 25, 2020

  The Observation of

The Reformation of the Church

Sunday, October 25, 2020

The Tri-Parish

Bethel Lutheran Church, Glenshaw, PA

St. John’s Lutheran Church, Millvale, PA

Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA

Congregations of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

LSB 578 Thy Strong Word

Invocation

A: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

 C: Amen.

Psalm 32:1-5

A: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

C: Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

A: For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

C: For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

A: I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity;

C: I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Confession and Forgiveness

Kneel.  Silence for reflection.

A:  Almighty God, our maker and redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto you that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word, and deed. Wherefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C: O most merciful God, who has given Your only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us and for His sake grant us remission of all our sins; and by Your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of You and of Your will and true obedience to Your Word, to the end that by Your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

A: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given His only Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins. To those who believe on His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Grant this, Lord, unto us all.

Stand.

Psalm 103:8-13

A: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

C: He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.

A: He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.

C: For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him;

A: as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.

C: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him.

Kyrie

A: Lord have mercy upon us.   

C: Christ have mercy upon us.  Lord have mercy upon us.

Gloria in Excelsis (p. 154)

A: ♫ Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on earth.

C: ♫ Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father:  We worship You, we give You thanks, we praise You for Your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God:  You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For You alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Salutation & Collect

A: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: Let us pray.

C: Almighty and gracious Lord, pour out Your Holy Spirit on Your faithful people. Keep us steadfast in Your grace and truth, protect and deliver us in times of temptation, defend us against all enemies, and grant to Your Church Your saving peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The First Lesson   Revelation 14:6–7

Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.  And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come, and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

L:  This is the Word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

The Gradual

A: Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts. 

C: Go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever.           Psalm 48:1a, 12–14a

The Epistle Romans 3:19–28

   Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in His sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

   21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

   27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

L:  This is the Word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Alleluia

♫ Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.

The Holy Gospel Matthew 11:12-19

A: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eleventh chapter.

C: ♫ Glory to You, O Lord.

   [Jesus said:] “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

   16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’

   18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at Him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”

A: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: ♫ Praise to You, O Christ.

 Confession of Faith

A: We confess our faith in words from the Smalcald Articles, prepared by Dr. Marin Luther in 1537.  These articles are included in the Lutheran Confessions which our congregation accepts without reservation. 

C: The first and chief article is this:

• Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification.  (Romans 4:24-25)

• He alone is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

• All have sinned and are justified freely, without their own works or merits by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood. (Romans 3:23-25)

• This is necessary to believe. This cannot be otherwise acquired or grasped by any work, law, or merit. Therefore, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says: 

  • “For we hold that one is justified by faith, apart from works of the law.  (Romans 3:28)

  • That He might be just, and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  (Romans 3:26) 

• Nothing of this article can be yielded or surrendered, even though heaven and earth, and everything else falls. (Mark 13:31) 

  • For there is no other name under heaven, given among men by we must be saved.  (Acts 4:12) 

  • And with His stripes we are healed.  (Isaiah 53:5)

• Upon this article everything that we teach and practice depends, in opposition to the pope, the devil, and the whole world. Therefore, we must be certain and not doubt this doctrine. Otherwise all is lost, and the pope, and devil, and all adversaries win the victory and right over us.

LSB 655 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

The Sermon    SOLA FIDE  +  SOLA GRATIA   +   SOLA SCRIPTURA

The Prayer of the Church

THE SERICE OF THE HOLY SUPPER

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…evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus  (p. 161)

♫  Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might:  Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna.  Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Words of Institution

The Pax Domini

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen.

Agnus Dei   (p. 163)

♫ Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.

Hymn for the Distribution   LSB 629  What Is This Bread?

Post-Communion Collect

Benediction

LSB 656   A Mighty Fortress

OCTOBER 11, 2020

OCTOBER 4, 2020

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020

Fifteenth Sunday after the Pentecost

September 27, 2020

Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

301 Scott Avenue Glenshaw, Pennsylvania 15116

(412) 486-5777

www.bethelglenshaw.org

Rev. Dr. Daniel Hahn, Vacancy Pastor Vicar Donn Woolweber

WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, and a special

welcome to any who are visitors to our church. Visitors are asked to sign our guest book in the narthex and introduce themselves to the pastor. May God bless you with His love and strengthen you in your faith. Please return whenever the opportunity presents itself.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost - September 27, 2020

Liturgy: Matins (pages 219-228)

*Hymns: #589, #738, #924

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 (ESV)The word of the Lord came to me: 2“What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge’? 3As I live, declares the Lord God, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine: the soul who sins shall die. . . .

25“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is My way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just? 26When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice, he shall die for it; for the injustice that he has done he shall die. 27Again, when a wicked person turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he shall save his life. 28Because he considered and turned away from all the transgressions that he had committed, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 29Yet the house of Israel says, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ O house of Israel, are My ways not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?30“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

THE EPISTLE Philippians 2:1-4, 14-18 (ESV)If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2complete my3joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. . . .

14Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.18Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

THE PSALM

Ps. 147:1-5; antiphon: Ps. 147:6

The Lord lifts up the / humble;
He casts the wicked / to the ground.

Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises / to our god; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is / fitting.

The Lord builds up Je- / rusalem; He gathers the outcasts of / Israel.

He heals the broken- / hearted and binds / up their wounds.

He determines the number / of the stars; He gives to all of / them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abun- / dant in power; His understanding is beyond / measure.

Glory be to the Father and / to the Son and to the Holy / Spirit;
as it was in the be / ginning,
is now, and will be forever. / Amen.

The Lord lifts up the / humble;
He casts the wicked / to the ground.

THE HOLY GOSPEL

Matthew 21:23-27 (ESV)When [Jesus] entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things, and who gave You this authority?” 24Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell Me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” 27So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And He said to them,Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor: Almighty God, You exalted Your Son to the place of all honor and authority. Enlighten our minds by Your Holy Spirit that, confessing Jesus as Lord, we may be led into all truth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation: AMEN.

AUGUST 30, 2020

AUGUST 23, 2020

WELCOME! We extend a warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning, and a special

welcome to any who are visitors to our church. Visitors are asked to sign our guest book in the narthex

and introduce themselves to the pastor. May God bless you with His love and strengthen you in your

faith. Please return whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Twelfth Sunday after PentecostAugust 23, 2020

Liturgy: Matins (pages 219-228)*

Hymns: #702, #707, #527

____________________________________________________________________________________THE OLD TESTAMENT READING Isaiah 51:1-6 (ESV)“Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the Lord: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. 2Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for he was but one when I called him, that I might bless him and multiply him.3For the Lord comforts Zion; He comforts all her waste places and makes her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the voice of song.

4“Give attention to Me, My people, and give ear to Me, My nation; for a law will go out from Me, and I will set My justice for a light to the peoples. 5My righteousness draws near, My salvation has gone out, and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for Me, and for My arm they wait.

6Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will never be dismayed.”

THE EPISTLE Romans 11:33-12:8 (ESV)Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! 34“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” 35“Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?” 36For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.

1I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

THE HOLY GOSPEL Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV)Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20Then He strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ.

THE PSALM

Pastor: Congregation: Pastor: Congregation: Pastor:

All:

Ps. 2:6-7; 117; antiphon Ps. 115:18

But we will / bless the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore. / Praise the Lord!

AS FOR ME, I HAVE / SET MY KING ON ZION, MY / HOLY HILL.

I will tell of / the decree:
The Lord said to Me, “You are My Son; today I have be / gotten You.

PRAISE THE LORD, ALL / NATIONS! EXTOL HIM, ALL / PEOPLES!

For great is His steadfast / love toward us,
And the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. / Praise the Lord!

GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND / TO THE SON AND TO THE HOLY / SPIRIT;
AS IT WAS IN THE BE / GINNING,
IS NOW, AND WILL BE FOREVER. / AMEN.

BUT WE WILL / BLESS THE LORD
FROM THIS TIME FORTH AND FOREVERMORE. / PRAISE THE

LORD!

COLLECT OF THE DAY
Pastor:Almighty God, whom to know is everlasting life; grant us to know Your Son,Jesus, to be the way, the truth, and the life that we may boldly confess Him to be the Christ and steadfastly walk in the way that leads to life eternal; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation: AMEN.

June 28,2020

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 

June 28, 2020

WELCOME!  We extend a cordial welcome to everyone visiting with us today.  We pray that you find strength for the coming week during this time spent in the presence of your Lord.  Please sign our guest book, introduce yourself to the pastor before you leave today, and come again.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

June 28, 2020

Liturgy: Matins (pages219-228)

Hymns: #648, #664, #918

___________________________________________________________________________      

THE PSALM                                                                            Psalm 119:153-160 (ESV)

Pastor:                        Look on my affliction and de / liver me,

            for I do not for / get Your Law.

Congregation:PLEAD MY CAUSE AND RE / DEEM ME;

                        GIVE ME LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR / PROMISE!

Pastor:                      Salvation is far from the / wicked,

              for they do not seek Your / statutes.

Congregation:GREAT IS YOUR MERCY, / O LORD;

                        GIVE ME LIFE ACCORDING TO YOUR / JUST DECREES.

Pastor:                      Many are my persecutors and my adver / saries,

              but I do not swerve from Your testi / monies.

Congregation:I LOOK AT THE FAITHLESS / WITH DISGUST,

                        BECAUSE THEY DO NOT KEEP / YOUR COMMANDS.

Pastor:                     Consider how I love Your / precepts!

             Give me life according to Your / steadfast love.

Congregation:THE SUM OF YOUR / WORD IS TRUTH,

                        AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR RIGHTEOUS DECREES                                  ENDURES FOR / EVER.

ALL:  GLORY BE TO THE FATHER AND / TO THE SON

                        AND TO THE HOLY / SPIRIT;

                        AS IT WAS IN THE BE / GINNING,

                        IS NOW, AND WILL BE FOREVER. / AMEN.

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor: Almighty God, by the working of Your Holy Spirit, grant that we may gladly hear Your Word proclaimed among us and follow its directing; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation: AMEN.

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING                                                          Jeremiah 28:5-9 (ESV)

Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen!  May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.  Yet hear now this Word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people.  The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms.  As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

THE EPISTLE                                                                                                Romans 7:1-13 (ESV)

Do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to those who know the Law--that the Law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?  Thus a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.  Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive.  But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.  Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to Another, to Him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.  For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the Law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.  But now we are released from the Law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the New Life of the Spirit.  What then shall we say?  That the Law is sin?  By no means!  Yet if it had not been for the Law, I would not have known sin.  I would not have known what it is to covet if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.”  But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness.  Apart from the Law, sin lies dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.  The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.  For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.  So the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.  Did that which is good, then, bring death to me?  By no means!  It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                                               Matthew 10:34-42 (ESV)

[Jesus said:]  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.  Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me.  The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.  And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

          * * *ANNOUNCEMENTS * * *

ALTAR FLOWERS have been placed to the glory of God.  

VICAR Donn Woolweber will be installed at Zion Lutheran Church on SUNDAY, JULY 12 at 3:00 p.m. Plan to come and meet Donn and Debbie, as they will be very involved with the Tri-Parish events. He will be Bethel’s preacher on  non-communion Sundays, (2nd and 4th Sunday of the month).

THANK YOU to all the people who gave up their time to get the house ready for Vicar Donn and Debbi.

THE LITKE’S NEW ADDRESS– 5926 Vance Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46815.

JULY CALENDAR can be picked up in the narthex.

June 7, 2020

WELCOME!  We welcome you worship, and we pray that all who gather here will be blessed as we share in this time in our Lord's presence.  If you are visiting with us, please introduce yourself to the pastor and sign our guest book.  If you are without a church-home, we invite you to worship with us each week. _____________________________________________________________________________

X The Holy Trinity X First Sunday after Pentecost June 7, 2020  

Liturgy:  Divine Service-Setting Three (pages 184-202)*

Hymns:  #507,  #830,  #940,  #861,  #506

Sermon:  "What in God's Name?" (Matthew 28:18-20) *The Creed is the Athanasian Creed on pages 319-320. _____________________________________________________________________________ INTROIT      

Pastor:   Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided/Unity.                 Let us give glory to Him because He has shown His mer/cy to us.

Congregation:      I have set the Lord always be/fore me;                                 because He is at my right hand, I shall not be/shaken.

Pastor:   Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being re/joices;                 my flesh also/dwells secure.

Congregation:      For You will not abandon my soul/to Sheol,                                 or let Your Holy One see cor/ruption.

Pastor:   You make known to me the/path of life;                 in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures for/evermore.                                

All:     Glory be to the Father and/to the Son             and to the Holy/Spirit;             as it was in the be/ginning,             is now, and will be forever./Amen.                         Blessed be the Holy Trinity and the undivided/Unity.             Let us give glory to Him because He has shown His mer/cy to us.  

COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor:   Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the Eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty.  Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

Congregation:      Amen.  

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING                                                                        Genesis 1:1-2:4 (ESV) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.  And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.  And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  And God saw that the light was good.  And God separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light day, and the darkness He called night.  And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.  And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”  And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse.  And it was so.  And God called the expanse heaven.  And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.  And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.”  And it was so.  God called the dry land earth, and the waters that were gathered together He called seas.  And God saw that it was good.  And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.”  And it was so.  The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind.  And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.  And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night.  And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.”  And it was so.  And God made the two great lights--the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night--and the stars.  And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness.  And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.  And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”  So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.  And God saw that it was good.  And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”  And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.  And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds--livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.”  And it was so.  And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind.  And God saw that it was good.  Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.  And God blessed them.  And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit.  You shall have them for food.  And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.”  And it was so.  And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good.  And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.  Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.  And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.  So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all His work that He had done in creation.  These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.  

GRADUAL       All:     Great is the Lord, and greatly/to be praised,             and His greatness is un/searchable.             On Your wondrous works, I will/meditate             and I will declare Your/greatness.  

THE SECOND READING                                                                                         Acts 2:14; 22-36 (ESV) Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Israel, hear these words:  Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves know--this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.  God raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it.  For David says concerning Him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for He is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.  For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.  You have made known to me the paths of life; You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’  Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.  Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set One of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.  This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.  For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”  

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                                                              Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted.  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”           _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________­­­__ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Acknowledgments:  Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.  Propers © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.  Reprinted by permission.  License #000010218.     ~

May 24, 2020

WELCOME!  To those who worship with us today we bid welcome in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  It is our prayer that this service will enable you to seek His forgiveness and prepare you for a new week with our Master as together we recommit ourselves to serving Him.  Visitors, please introduce yourselves to the pastor and sign our guest book prior to leaving this morning.  Those having no regular place of worship are heartily invited to join us _____________________________________________________________________________                          X Seventh Sunday of Easter X  Memorial Day Weekend  May 24, 2020 

 Liturgy:  Matins (pages 219-228)* Hymns:                                  

 The Responsory is the one for Easter on page 222; the canticle is the Te Deum on pages 223-225.   ____________________________________________________________________________

 THE PSALM                                                                                                                  Psalm 68:1-10  (ESV)      

  Pastor:       God shall arise, His enemies shall be/scattered; 

                       and those who hate Him shall flee be/fore Him!

Congregation:      As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive/them away; 

                                    as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish be/fore God!

Pastor:       But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult be/fore God;

                    they shall be jubilant/with joy!

Congregation:      Sing to God, sing praises/to His name;                                                                                   lift up a song to Him who rides through the deserts;                                                 His name is the Lord; exult be/fore Him!

Pastor:       Father of the fatherless and Protector of/widows

                    is God in His holy habi/tation.

Congregation:      God settles the solitary in a home; He leads out the prisoners to pros/perity,                                 but the rebellious dwell in a/parched land.

Pastor:       O God, when You went out before Your/people,  

                   when You marched through the/wilderness,

Congregation:      the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the      One of/Sinai,                                

                      before God, the God of/Israel.

Pastor:       Rain in abundance, O God, You/shed abroad;                    

                   You restored Your inheritance as it/languished;

Congregation:      Your flock found a dwell/ing in it;                               

                                   in Your goodness, O God, You provided for the/needy.

All:     Glory be to the Father and/to the Son            

and to the Holy/Spirit;            

as it was in the be/ginning,            

is now, and will be forever./Amen.

THE FIRST READING                                                                                    Acts 1:12-26 (ESV) Then [the apostles] returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.  And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James.  All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.  In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.  For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.”  (Now this man bought a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.  And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)  “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, ‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and ‘Let another take his office.’  So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when He was taken up from us--one of these men must become with us a witness to His resurrection.”  And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.  And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”  And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.  

THE EPISTLE                                                                                  1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of Glory and of God rests upon you.  But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.  For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?  And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”  Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.  Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  To Him be the dominion forever and ever.  Amen.  

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                                                    John 17:1-11 (ESV) When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him.  And this is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  I glorified You on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed.  I have manifested Your name to the people whom You gave Me out of the world.  Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your Word.  Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You.  For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.  I am praying for them.  I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.  All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them.  And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You.  Holy Father, keep them in Your name, which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as We are One.”  

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor:   O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of Truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Congregation:      Amen.       _____________________________________________________________________________ Acknowledgments:  Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.  Propers © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.  Reprinted by permission.  License #000010218. 

May 17, 2020

    ~ WELCOME!  It is our prayer that you find here the love and joy that is a part of our Lord’s worship, and that you share this experience with others throughout the week.  Visitors, we request that you introduce yourselves to the pastor and sign our guest book in the narthex before you leave today.  If you do not have a regular place of worship, we invite you to join us every Sunday. _________________________________________________________________________________________________  

X Sixth Sunday of Easter X May 17, 2020  

Liturgy:  Divine Service-Setting Three (pages 184-202)*

Hymns:  #832,  #578,  #618,  #712,  #645 Sermon:  "The Known God" (Acts 17:24, 25) *The Creed is the Nicene Creed on page 191. _________________________________________________________________________________________________

INTROIT      

Pastor:   Your Word is a lamp/to my feet                 and a light /to my path.

Congregation:      Forever, O/Lord, Your Word                                 is firmly fixed/in the heav’ns.

Pastor:   Your faithfulness endures to all gener/ations;                 You have established the earth, and it/stands fast.

Congregation:      By Your appointment they/stand this day,                                 for all things are Your/servants. Pastor:   If Your Law had not been/my delight,                 I would have perished in my af/fliction. Congregation:      I will never forget Your/precepts,                                 for by them You have giv/en me life.                                

All:     Glory be to the Father and/to the Son             and to the Holy/Spirit;             as it was in the be/ginning,             is now, and will be forever./Amen.               Your Word is a lamp/to my feet             and a light /to my path.  

COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor:   O God, the Giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Congregation:      Amen.  

FIRST READING                                                                                                  Acts 17:16-31 (ESV) While Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.  So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.  Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him.  And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?”  Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”--because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection.  And they took hold of him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  For you bring some strange things to our ears.  We wish to know therefore what these things mean.”  Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.  So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said:  “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.  For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’  What therefore you worship as unknown, This I proclaim to you.  The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.  And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward Him and find Him.  Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In Him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed His offspring.’  Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.  The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.”  

GRADUAL      

All:     Christ has risen/from the dead.             [God the Father] has crowned Him with glory and/honor,             He has given Him dominion over the works/of His hands;             He has put all things un/der His feet.  

THE EPISTLE                                                                                                               1 Peter 3:13-22 (ESV) Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed.  Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the Righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit, in Which He went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.  Baptism, which corresponds to this, 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him.  

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                                                                    John 14:15-21 (ESV) [Jesus said:]  “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him.  You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me.  Because I live, you also will live.  In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.  Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me.  And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”          ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________­­­__ ______________­­­__ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Acknowledgments:  Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.  Propers © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.  Reprinted by permission.  License #000010218.    

May 10, 2020

X In Nomine Iesu Christi X    

THE OPENING SENTENCES

Pastor:       O Lord, open my lips,

People:      and my mouth will declare Your raise.

Pastor:       Make haste, O God, to deliver me.

People:      Make haste to help me, O Lord.  

THE GLORIA PATRI 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.  

THE SEASONAL VERSE All:   Praise to You, O Christ, Alleluia.  

THE VENITE All:   Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. The deep places of the earth are in His hand; the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. 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.  

THE PSALMODY                                                                                  Psalm 146

Pastor:       Praise the Lord!                    Praise the Lord, O my soul! People:      I will praise the Lord as long as I live;                    I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. Pastor:       Put not your trust in princes,                    in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. People:      When his breath departs he returns to the earth;                    on that very day his plans perish. Pastor:       Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,                    whose hope is in the Lord his God, People:      who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them,                    who keeps faith forever; Pastor:       who executes justice for the oppressed,                    who gives food to the hungry. People:      The Lord sets the prisoners free;                    the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.                    The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;                    the Lord loves the righteous. Pastor:       The Lord watches over the sojourners;                    He upholds the widow and the fatherless,                    but the way of the wicked He brings to ruin. People:      The Lord will reign forever,                    your God, O Zion, to all generations.  Praise the Lord!  

THE GLORIA PATRI 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.  

THE CHILDREN'S SERMON  

THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran Service Book #797) All:   Praise the Almighty, my soul, adore Him!           Yes, I will laud Him until death;           With songs and anthems I come before Him           As long as He allows me breath.           From Him my life and all things came;           Bless. O my soul, His holy name.           Alleluia!  Alleluia!             Trust not in rulers; they are but mortal;           Earth-born they are and soon decay.           Vain are their counsels at life’s last portal,           When the dark grave engulfs its prey.           Since mortals can no help afford,           Place all your trust in Christ, our Lord.           Alleluia!  Alleluia!  

THE FIRST READING                                            Acts 6:1-9; 7:2; 51-60 (ESV) Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.  And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the Word of God to serve tables.  Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.  But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.”  And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch.  These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.  And the Word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.  And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.  Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen.  And Stephen said: “Brothers and fathers, hear me.  The God of Glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran.  You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit.  As your fathers did, so do you.  Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute?  And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the Law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”  Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.  Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.  And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”  And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  

THE EPISTLE                                                                         1 Peter 2:2-10 (ESV) Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation--if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.  As you come to Him, a living Stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For it stands in Scripture:  “Behold, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a Cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.”  So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The Stone that the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone,” and “A Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of offense.”  They stumble because they disobey the Word, as they were destined to do.  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

  THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                              John 14:1-14 (ESV) [Jesus said:]  “Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many rooms.  If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.  And you know the way to where I am going.”  Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going.  How can we know the way?”  Jesus said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.  If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.  From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”  Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.”  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know Me, Philip?  Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father.  How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?  The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.  Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”    

THE RESPONSORY Pastor:       Sing to the Lord and bless His name,                    Proclaim His salvation from day to day. People:      Give to the Lord all glory and strength,                    give Him the honor due His name.  Alleluia, alleluia. Pastor:       Now Christ is risen from the dead                    and become the Firstfruits of them that sleep. People:      Give to the Lord all glory and strength,                    give Him the honor due His name.  Alleluia, alleluia. Pastor:       Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. People:      Give to the Lord all glory and strength,                    give Him the honor due His name.  Alleluia, alleluia.   THE

SERMON                                “Seeing and Showing God” (John 14:8-10)  

THE CANTICLE                                                          The Te Deum Laudamus All:   We praise You, O God, we acknowledge You to be the Lord.           All the earth now worships You, the Father Everlasting.           To You all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.           To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:             Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;           heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Your glory.           The glorious company of the apostles praise You.           The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.             The noble army of martyrs praise You.           The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You:           The Father of an Infinite Majesty; Your adorable, true, and only Son;           also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.             You are the King of Glory, O Christ;           You are the everlasting Son of the Father.            When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,           You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.           When You had overcome the sharpness of death,           You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.             You sit at the right hand of God           in the glory of the Father.           We believe that You will come           to be our Judge.             We therefore pray You to help Your servants,           whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.           Make them to be numbered with Your saints           in glory everlasting.             O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.           Govern them and lift them up forever.           Day by day we magnify You.           And we worship Your name forever and ever.             Grant, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.           O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.           O Lord, let Your mercy be upon us, as our trust is in You.           O Lord, in You have I trusted; let me never be confounded.  

THE LORD’S PRAYER 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.  

COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor:       Let us pray:                    O God, You make the minds of Your people to be of one will.  Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Congregation:    Amen.      

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH (after each petition:) Pastor:       Lord, in Your mercy, People:      hear our prayer. (at the end:) People:      Amen.

THE COLLECT FOR GRACE Pastor:       O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day.  Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People:      Amen.  

THE BENEDICTION Pastor:       The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit X be with you all. People:      Amen.  

THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran Service Book #797)

All:   Blessed, oh, blessed are they forever           Whose help is from the Lord Most High,           Whom from salvation can nothing sever,           And who in hope to Christ draw nigh.           To all who trust in Him, our Lord           Will aid and counsel now afford.           Alleluia!  Alleluia!             Penitent sinners, for mercy crying,           Pardon and peace from Him obtain;           Ever the wants of the poor supplying,           Their faithful God He will remain.           He helps His children in distress,           The widows and the fatherless.           Alleluia!  Alleluia!          Praise, all you people, the name so holy        Of Him who does such wondrous things!        All that has being, to praise Him solely,        With happy heart its amen sings.        Children of God, with angel host        Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!        Alleluia!  Alleluia!      

May 3, 2020

X In Nomine Iesu Christi X     THE INVOCATION Pastor:       In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. People:      Amen.   THE CONFESSION OF SINS Pastor:       If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. People:      But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   (silence for meditation and self-examination)   Pastor:       Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. People:      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 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.   THE DECLARATION OF GRACE Pastor:       In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins.  To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit.  May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. People:      Amen.   THE PSALM                                                                                  Psalm 23 (ESV) Pastor:       The Lord is my Shepherd;                    I shall not want. People:      He makes me lie down in green pastures.                    He leads me beside still waters. Pastor:       He restores my soul.                    He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. People:      Even though I walk through the valley                    of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,                    for You are with me;                    Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Pastor:       You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;                    You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. People:      Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me                    all the days of my life,                    and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.   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.   THE SALUTATION Pastor:       The Lord be with you. People:      And also with you.   THE COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor:       Let us pray.                    Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. People:      Amen.   THE FIRST READING                                                           Acts 2:42-47 (ESV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.  And all who believed were together and had all things in common.  And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.  And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.   THE EPISTLE                                                                       1 Peter 2:19-25 (ESV) This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.  For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure?  But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.  He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth.  When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly.  He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed.  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.   THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                              John 10:1-10 (ESV) [Jesus said:]  “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the Door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.  But he who enters by the Door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the gatekeeper opens.  The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”  This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them.  So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep.  All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the Door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”   THE CHILDREN'S SERMON   THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran Service Book #710) All:   The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;           He makes me down to lie           In pastures green; He leadeth me           The quiet waters by.             My soul He doth restore again           And me to walk doth make           Within the paths of righteousness,           E’en for His own name’s sake.               Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,           Yet will I fear no ill;           For Thou art with me, and Thy rod           And staff me comfort still.             My table Thou hast furnished           In presence of my foes;           My head Thou dost with oil anoint,           And my cup overflows.             Goodness and mercy all my life           Shall surely follow me;           And in God’s house forevermore           My dwelling place shall be.   THE SERMON                                                      “Never in Need” (Psalm 23:1)   THE APOSTLES’ CREED All:   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 X everlasting.  Amen.   THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH (after each petition:) Pastor:       Lord, in Your mercy, People:      hear our prayer. (at the end:) People:      Amen.   THE LORD’S PRAYER 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 BENEDICTION Pastor:       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 give you X peace. People:      Amen.     X       X       X     ~

April 26, 2020

X In Nomine Iesu Christi X    

THE OPENING SENTENCES

Pastor:       O Lord, open my lips,

People:      and my mouth will declare Your praise.

Pastor:       Make haste, O God, to deliver me.

People:      Make haste to help me, O Lord.  

THE GLORIA PATRI 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.  

THE SEASONAL VERSE All:   Praise to You, O Christ, Alleluia.  

THE VENITE All:   Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. The deep places of the earth are in His hand; the strength of the hills is His also. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. 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.  

THE PSALMODY                                                               Psalm 116:1-14 (ESV)

Pastor:       I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice                    and my pleas for mercy.

People:      Because He inclined His ear to me,                    therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. Pastor:       The snares of death encompassed me;                    the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;                    I suffered distress and anguish.

People:      Then I called on the name of the Lord:                    “O Lord, I pray, deliver my soul!”

Pastor:       Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;                    our God is merciful.

People:      The Lord preserves the simple;                    when I was brought low, He saved me.

Pastor:       Return, O my soul, to your rest;                    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

People:      For You have delivered my soul from death,                    my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling;

Pastor:       I will walk before the Lord                    in the land of the living.

People:      I believed, even when I spoke,                    “I am greatly afflicted”;

Pastor:       I said in my alarm,                    “All mankind are liars.

” People:      What shall I render to the Lord                    for all His benefits to me?

Pastor:       I will lift up the cup of salvation                    and call on the name of the Lord,

People:      I will pay my vows to the Lord                    in the presence of all His people.  

THE GLORIA PATRI 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.  

THE CHILDREN'S SERMON  

THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran Service Book #478) All:   The day of resurrection!  Earth, tell it out abroad,           The Passover of gladness, the Passover of God.           From death to life eternal, from sin’s dominion free,           Our Christ has brought us over with hymns of victory.                     Let hearts be purged from evil that we may see aright           The Lord in rays eternal of resurrection light           And, list’ning to His accents, may hear, so calm and plain,           His own “All hail!” and, hearing, may raise the victor strain.             Now let the heav’ns be joyful, let earth her song begin,           Let all the world keep triumph and all that is therein.           Let all things, seen and unseen, their notes of gladness blend;           For Christ the Lord has risen, our joy that has no end.             All praise to God the Father, all praise to God the Son,           All praise to God the Spirit, eternal Three in One!           Let all the ransomed number fall down before the throne           And honor, pow’r and glory ascribe to God alone!  

THE FIRST READING                                                     Acts 2:14; 36-41 (ESV) Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”  Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”  And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”  And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”  So those who received his Word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.  

THE EPISTLE                                                                       1 Peter 1:17-25 (ESV) If you call on Him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.  He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God; for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.  The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.”  And this Word is the Good News that was preached to you.  

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                           Luke 24:13-35 (ESV) That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened.  While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  But their eyes were kept from recognizing Him.  And He said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?”  And they stood still, looking sad.  Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Him, “Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”  And He said to them, “What things?”  And they said to Him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a Man who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered Him up to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.  But we had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel.  Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.  Moreover, some women of our company amazed us.  They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find His body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive.  Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but Him they did not see.”  And He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into His glory?”  And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.  So they drew near to the village to which they were going.  He acted as if He were going farther, but they urged Him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.”  So He went in to stay with them.  When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him.  And He vanished from their sight.  They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”  And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.  And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!”  Then they told what had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.  

THE RESPONSORY

Pastor:       Sing to the Lord and bless His name,                    Proclaim His salvation from day to day.

People:      Give to the Lord all glory and strength,                    give Him the honor due His name.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Pastor:       Now Christ is risen from the dead                    and become the Firstfruits of them that sleep. People:      Give to the Lord all glory and strength,                    give Him the honor due His name.  Alleluia, alleluia.

Pastor:       Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

People:      Give to the Lord all glory and strength,                    give Him the honor due His name.  Alleluia, alleluia.  

THE SERMON                                   “Overlooking the Obvious” (Luke 24:25)   THE CANTICLE                                                       

   The Te Deum Laudamus All:   We praise You, O God, we acknowledge You to be the Lord.           All the earth now worships You, the Father Everlasting.           To You all angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein.           To You cherubim and seraphim continually do cry:             Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;           heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Your glory.           The glorious company of the apostles praise You.           The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise You.             The noble army of martyrs praise You.           The holy Church throughout all the world does acknowledge You:           The Father of an Infinite Majesty; Your adorable, true, and only Son;           also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.             You are the King of Glory, O Christ;           You are the everlasting Son of the Father.            When You took upon Yourself to deliver man,           You humbled Yourself to be born of a virgin.           When You had overcome the sharpness of death,           You opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.            
          You sit at the right hand of God           in the glory of the Father.           We believe that You will come           to be our Judge.             We therefore pray You to help Your servants,           whom You have redeemed with Your precious blood.           Make them to be numbered with Your saints           in glory everlasting.             O Lord, save Your people and bless Your heritage.           Govern them and lift them up forever.           Day by day we magnify You.           And we worship Your name forever and ever.             Grant, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.           O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.           O Lord, let Your mercy be upon us, as our trust is in You.           O Lord, in You have I trusted; let me never be confounded.  

THE LORD’S PRAYER 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.  

COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor:       Let us pray:                    O God, through the humiliation of Your Son You raised up the fallen world.  Grant to Your faithful people, rescued from the peril of everlasting death, perpetual gladness and eternal joys; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Congregation:    Amen.

  THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH (after each petition:)

Pastor:       Lord, in Your mercy,

People:      hear our prayer. (at the end:)

People:      Amen.  

THE COLLECT FOR GRACE Pastor:       O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have safely brought us to the beginning of this day.  Defend us in the same with Your mighty power and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings, being ordered by Your governance, may be righteous in Your sight; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People:      Amen.  

THE BENEDICTION

Pastor:       The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit X be with you all.

People:      Amen.    

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Concordia Looking to Hire CNAs: With unemployment rates so high right now due to COVID-19, many people are looking for a new job. At Concordia, we’re looking to hire additional CNAs (certified nursing assistants) at all of our skilled nursing facilities (SNF), so if you know anyone who may be a good fit, encourage them to apply. Ask for the Human Resources Department. Those locations providing SNF care include: Concordia at Cabot  724-352-1571 Concordia of Monroeville   412-373-3900 Concordia at Rebecca Residence   724-444-0600 Concordia of the South Hills  412-278-1300 Concordia at Villa St. Joseph 724-869-6300  

April 19, 2020

THE INVOCATION  

Pas tor:       In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People:      Amen.  

THE CONFESSION OF SINS

Pastor:       Beloved in the Lord!  Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.   Our help is in the name of the Lord,

People:      who made heaven and earth.

Pastor:       I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,

People:      and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Pastor:       Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer, we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean and that we have sinned against You by thought, word, and deed.  Wherefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, seeking and imploring Your grace for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

People:      O most merciful God, who has given Your only-begotten Son to die for us, have mercy upon us and for His sake grant us remission of all our sins; and by Your Holy Spirit increase in us true knowledge of You and of Your will and true obedience to Your Word, to the end that by Your grace we may come to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.  

THE DECLARATION OF GRACE

Pastor:       Almighty God, our heavenly Father, has had mercy upon us and has given His only Son to die for us and for His sake forgives us all our sins.  To those who believe on His name He gives power to become the children of God and has promised them His Holy Spirit.  He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.  Grant this, Lord, unto us all.

People:      Amen.  
   

THE PSALM                                                                                Psalm 148 (ESV)

Pastor:       Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord from the heavens;  praise Him in the heights!

People:      Praise Him, all His angels                                                           praise Him, all His hosts!

Pastor:       Praise Him, sun and moon,                    praise Him, all you shining stars!

People:      Praise Him, you highest heavens,                    and you waters above the heavens!

Pastor:       Let them praise the name of the Lord!                    For He commanded and they were created. People:      And He established them forever and ever;                                      He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Pastor:       Praise the Lord from the earth,                    you great sea creatures and all deeps,

People:      fire and hail, snow and mist,                    stormy wind fulfilling His word!

Pastor:       Mountains and all hills,                    fruit trees and all cedars!

People:      Beasts and all livestock,                    creeping things and flying birds!

Pastor:       Kings of the earth and all peoples,                    princes and all rulers of the earth!

People:      Young men and maidens together,                    old men and children!

Pastor:       Let them praise the name of the Lord,                    for His name alone is exalted;                    His majesty is above earth and heaven.

People:      He has raised up a horn for His people,                    praise for all His saints,                    for the people of Israel who are near to Him.  Praise the Lord!  

THE GLORIA PATRI 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.    

COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor:       Almighty God, grant that we who have celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People:      Amen.  

THE FIRST READING                                                          Acts 5:29–42 (ESV)                                                                        But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.  The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree.  God exalted Him at His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”  When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.  But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.  And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men.  For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him.  He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.  After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him.  He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered.  So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.  You might even be found opposing God!”  So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.  

THE EPISTLE                                                                           1 Peter 1:3–9 (ESV)                                                                 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  Though you have not seen Him, you love Him.  Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                             John 20:19–31 (ESV)                                                                      On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again,  “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent Me, even so I am sending you.”  And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of anyone, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness from anyone, it is withheld.”  Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”  But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe.”  Eight days later, His disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.  Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side.  Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered Him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me?  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.  

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

All:   I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. d 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 X everlasting.  Amen.  

THE CHILDREN'S SERMON   

THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran Service Book #490) All:   Jesus lives!  The vic’try’s won!           Death no longer can appall me;           Jesus lives!  Death’s reign is done!           From the grave Christ will recall me.           Brighter scenes will then commence;           This shall be my confidence.             Jesus lives!  To Him the throne           High above all things is given.           I shall go where He is gone,           Live and reign with Him in heaven.           God is faithful; doubtings hence!           This shall be my confidence.             Jesus lives!  For me He died,           Hence will I, to Jesus living,           Pure in heart and act abide,           Praise to Him and glory giving.           All I need God will dispense;           This shall be my confidence.             Jesus lives!  I know full well           Nothing me from Him shall sever.           Neither death nor pow’rs of hell           Part me now from Christ forever.           God will be my sure Defense;           This shall be my confidence.             Jesus lives!  And now is death           But the gate of life immortal;           This shall calm my troubled breath           When I pass its gloomy portal.           Faith shall cry, as fails each sense:           Jesus is my Confidence!    

THE SERMON                                                  “A Living Hope” (1 Peter 1:3, 4)        

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH (after each petition:)

Pastor:       Lord, in Your mercy, People:      hear our prayer. (at the end:) People:      Amen.  

P: Lord of glory, Your victory over death and the grave gives us comfort as we endure all the trials and tribulations of life.  You have faced the things that we fear the most and have overcome them, and we know that we will also emerge victorious because we are Yours in Baptism.  Grant that we, being strengthened by Your Holy Spirit, working through the means of grace, may remain faithful to You all our days and finally receive the crown of life as a gift of Your grace.  Lord, in Your mercy,   C:  hear our prayer.         

P:   O Holy Spirit, we give thanks for the Church--those who trust in Christ alone for forgiveness and salvation--gathered in His name around the means of grace.  Through those same means guide and strengthen the Church as it clings in faith to the Word of Law and Gospel and shares with the world the gifts of salvation, purchased with the precious blood of Jesus.  Lord, in Your mercy,   C:  hear our prayer.  

P:   God of peace, look with favor on all the people of the world, including in particular those in Venezuela, Hong Kong and Central Africa.  We especially ask Your blessing on our own beloved land.  Curb the forces that would destroy freedom and peace among us.  Bless all who are in authority with the wisdom to know Your will and the courage to do it.  Lord, in Your mercy, C:  hear our prayer.  

P:   God of peace and order, our prayers ascend to Your throne of grace on behalf of our nation and the whole world during this time of crisis.  Keep the spirit of patriotism and national unity alive among us and bless our president, our governor, and those around them with the wisdom to know Your will and the courage to do it.  Grant that the final outcome may be just and beneficial for all peace-loving people and nations throughout the world.  Lord, in Your mercy, C:  hear our prayer.  

P:   Compassionate Lord, when You walked this earth You healed many who were afflicted with suffering of body, mind, and soul.  Have mercy, we pray, on those who suffer in our day also, especially (Name-s), those who are homebound or confined to institutions, and those we remember in silence . . .  We entrust them all to You, confident of Your power, love, and wisdom.  Lord, in Your mercy, C:  hear our prayer.  

P:   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, humbly yet with boldness and confidence we raise our prayers to Your throne of grace, relying on Your power, love, and wisdom.  Hear and answer us, we pray, according to Your good and gracious will, for we pray in the name of Jesus. C:  Amen.   ~

THE LORD’S PRAYER

  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 BENEDICTION

Pastor:       The Lord bless you and keep you.                    The Lord make His face to shine upon you.                    The lord lift up His countenance upon you                    and give you  peace.

People:      Amen.                                        

Easter Sunday Drive In - April 12, 2020

EASTER SUNDAY DRIVE-IN

April 12, 2020

Sponsored by the Tri-Parish:

Bethel Lutheran, Glenshaw

St. John’s Lutheran, Millvale

Zion Lutheran, Lawrenceville

Welcome

LSB 457         Jesus Christ is Risen Today

1 Jesus Christ is ris'n today, Alleluia! 

   Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

   Who did once upon the cross Alleluia!

   Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

2 Hymns of praise then let us sing Alleluia!

   Unto Christ our heav'nly King, Alleluia!

   Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

   Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

3 But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!

   Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

   Now above the sky He's King, Alleluia!

   Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

4 Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

   Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

   Praise Him, all ye heav'nly host, Alleluia!

   Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!  

Easter Proclamation & Invocation

P:         Christ is risen.

C:         He is risen indeed. Alleluia! 

P:         In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C:         Amen.

Salutation & Collect

P:         The Lord be with you.

C:         And also with you.

P:    Almighty God, through Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, You overcame

                      death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly pray that 

we may live before You in righteousness and purity forever; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

C:       Amen.

Introit                                                                                                                                                                          Exodus 15:2a, 6, 13, 17–18; antiphon: v. 1b

P:         I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.

C:         The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.

P:         Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power, Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy.

C:         You have led in Your steadfast love the people whom You have redeemed;

P:         You have guided them by Your strength to Your holy abode.

C:    You will bring them in and plant them on Your own mountain, 

P:    the place, O Lord, which You have made for Your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.

C:    The Lord will reign forever and ever. 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.  

1 Corinthians 15:1–11

   Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Children’s Message

John 20:1–18

   Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.” 3 So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. 4 Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that He must rise from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went back to their homes.

   11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to Him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that He had said these things to her.

Easter Music

Message

Apostles’ Creed

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 everlasting.  Amen.

Prayers & The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction

LSB 461   I Know That My Redeemer Lives

I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, He lives, who once was dead; He lives my ever-living head.

He lives triumphant from the grave; He lives eternally to save;

He lives all glorious in the sky; He lives exalted there on high.

He lives to bless me with His love; He lives to plead for me above;

He lives my hungry soul to feed; He lives to help in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply, He lives to guide me with His eye,

He lives to comfort me when faint; He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears; He lives to wipe away my tears;

He lives to calm my troubled heart; He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives all glory to His name!  He lives, my Jesus, still the same;

Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives:  I know that my Redeemer lives.

Good Friday Service - 4/10/2020

WORSHIP SERVICE – GOOD FRIDAY – 4/10/2020 ( can be viewed on Friday thru YouTube, Facebook and website www.bethelglenshaw.org)

X In Nomine Iesu Christi X

THE SILENT PROCESSION

THE INVITATORY
Pastor:       Behold, the life-giving cross on which was hung the Salvation of the whole world.
People:      Oh, come, let us worship Him.

THE OPENING SENTENCES
Pastor:       Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?
People:      Look and see if there is any sorrow like My sorrow, which was brought   
upon  Me, which the Lord inflicted on the day of His fierce anger.
Pastor:       [God] . . . did not spare His own Son
People:      but gave Him up for us all.
Pastor:       He was despised and rejected by men;
People:      a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
Pastor:       He was wounded for our transgressions;
People:      He was crushed for our iniquities;
Pastor:       upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
People:      and with His stripes we are healed.
Pastor:       All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way;
People:      and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

THE HYMN                                                                 Lutheran Service Book #439
All:   O dearest Jesus,
         What law hast Thou broken
         That such sharp sentence
         Should on Thee be spoken?
         Of what great crime hast
         Thou to make confession,
         What dark transgression?

         They crown Thy head with thorns,
         They smite, they scourge Thee;
         With cruel mockings
         To the cross they urge Thee;
         They give Thee gall to drink,
         They still decry Thee;
         They crucify Thee.

          What punishment
         So strange is suffered yonder!
         The Shepherd dies
         For sheep that loved to wander;
         The Master pays
         The debt His servants owe Him,
         Who would not know Him.

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING -  Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (ESV)
Behold, my Servant shall act wisely; He shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted.  As many were astonished at You--His appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and His form beyond that of the children of mankind--so shall He sprinkle many nations;  kings shall shut their mouths because of Him; for that which has not been told them they see,  and that which they have not heard they understand.  Who has believed what they heard from us?  And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?  For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him.  He was despised and rejected by men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, and as one from whom men hide their faces He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.  Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.  By oppression and judgment He was taken away, and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people?  And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His mouth.  Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush Him; He has put Him to grief, when His soul makes an offering for sin, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.  Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My Servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the many, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Pastor:       This is the Word of the Lord.
People:      Thanks be to God.






THE EPISTLE - Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9 (ESV)
Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.  Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.  And being made perfect, He became the Source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.

Pastor:       This is the Word of the Lord.
People:      Thanks be to God.



THE HOLY GOSPEL -  John 19:17-30 (ESV)
Pastor:       The Holy Gospel according to Saint John, the nineteenth chapter.
People:      Glory to You, O Lord.

[Jesus] went out, bearing His own cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha.  There they crucified Him, and with Him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.  Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross.  It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”  Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek.  So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This Man said, I am King of the Jews.’”  Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.”  When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also His tunic.  But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.”  This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”  So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”  And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.  After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to His mouth.  When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

Pastor:       This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Congregation:    Praise to You, O Christ.




THE CONFESSION OF FAITH  -   from Luther’s Small Catechism
All:   I believe that Jesus Christ,
                  true God, begotten of the Father from eternity,
                  and also true Man, born of the virgin Mary,
                  is my Lord,
                  who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person,
                  purchased and won me from all sins, from death,
                  and from the power of the devil,
                 not with gold or silver,
                  but with His holy, precious blood
                  and with His innocent suffering and death,
                   that I may be His own
                  and live under Him in His kingdom
                  and serve Him in everlasting righteousness,
                  innocence, and blessedness,
                   just as He is risen from the dead,
                  lives and reigns to all eternity.
                  This is most certainly true.

THE HYMN  - Lutheran Service Book #439                                                                                                    
          The sinless Son of God
         Must die in sadness;
         The sinful child of man
         May live in gladness;
         Man forfeited his life
         And is acquitted;
         God is committed.

          I’ll think upon Thy mercy
         Without ceasing,
         That earth’s vain joys to me
         No more be pleasing:
         To do Thy will
         Shall be my sole endeavor
         Henceforth forever.

         And when, dear Lord,
         Before Thy throne in heaven
         To me the crown of joy
         At last is given,
         Where sweetest hymns
         Thy saints forever raise Thee,
         I, too, shall praise Thee.

THE SERMON - "What's Good About It?" (John 19:30)

THE COLLECT OF THE DAY
Pastor:       Let us pray:                                                                                                                           
Almighty God, graciously behold this Your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ   was willing to be betrayed and delivered into the hands of sinful men to suffer death upon the cross; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives  and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People:      Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER
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 SERVICE OF SHADOWS

The First Word -  Luke 23:33, 34 (ESV)
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on His right and one on His left.  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  Lord Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate, by the counsel and will of God You were taken, and by the hand of wicked men You were crucified and slain, yet You made intercession for the transgressors.  We pray that You would grant to all of us the blessed assurance that there is now no condemnation for those who are Yours, and that if any of us sin, we have an Advocate with the Father in You, the Righteous One; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(A candle is extinguished.)

The Second Word -   Luke 23:39-43 (ESV)
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ?  Save Yourself and us!”  But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”  And he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”  And He said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  Lord Jesus Christ, merciful King and Prince of Peace, veiling Your divine glory and being clothed in humility, You were crowned with thorns, nailed to the tree of shame, and numbered with the transgressors.  We thank You that You have remembered us in our condemnation and brought us into Your kingdom of grace.  We pray that You would rule our hearts and lives with Your Word, and when life’s brief day is ended, take us with You into paradise; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(Another candle is extinguished.)


The Third Word - John 19:26, 27 (ESV)
When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!”  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!”  And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.

Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  O compassionate Lord Jesus Christ, we thank You for the perfect obedience You rendered in our place, even to the point of death on a cross.  Grant us, we pray, Your Holy Spirit, that He might write Your holy Law on our hearts so that we, following Your example of love and obedience, may honor and serve our parents and superiors and, from the least to the greatest, may learn obedience and walk in Your footsteps.  May Your strength be made perfect in our weakness; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(Another candle is extinguished.)



The Fourth Word - Matthew 27:45, 46 (ESV)
From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”


Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  O Lord Jesus Christ, Author and Perfecter of our faith, You faced God’s wrath alone and were made a curse for us on the tree of the cross, being forsaken by God Himself.  We pray that our faith in You may never know doubt or change.  Strengthen us in the certain knowledge and confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God in You, and that we need never despair of His grace.  We ask it in Your name; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(Another candle is extinguished.)

The Fifth Word - John 19:28 (ESV)
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”

Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  O Lord Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, on the cross You endured the pain and anguish of body and soul that was necessary to accomplish our redemption and in Your cry of thirst You revealed Your fervent desire to draw all people to Yourself.  Grant that human souls everywhere, hearing Your gracious Gospel, may drink the water of life and be satisfied; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(Another candle is extinguished.)

The Sixth Word - John 19:30 (ESV)
When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.”

Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  Lord Jesus, we thank You that You completed the work Your Father gave You to do:  You fulfilled the Law of God for us and bore its curse in our place.  You reconciled all people to God.  Grant that we may believe this with our whole heart so that, never relying on any work or merit of our own, we may always trust in Your completed work at Calvary; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(Another candle is extinguished.)


The Seventh Word -   Luke 23:46 (ESV)
Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit!”  And having said this, He breathed His last.

Pastor:       Let us pray:
                  Lord Jesus Christ, in Your dying moment You entrusted Your soul into Your Father’s hands, thereby assuring us that You finished the work of our redemption and that Your Father was pleased with Your work.  Grant us by Your Holy Spirit such confidence in Your redemption that, washed from our sin in Your blood, we, too, in our dying hour may entrust ourselves into the Father’s hand, trusting solely in You; who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Congregation:    Amen.

(Another candle is extinguished.)

(The Christ candle is carried to the narthex, removed from view.)

Acolyte:     O sorrow dread!  God’s Son is dead!

(The loud noise is heard.)

(The Christ candle is returned to its place.)

Soloist (softly):   I know that my Redeemer lives;
                            What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
                             He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
                             He lives, my ever-living Head.

THE CONCLUSION AND DISMISSAL
Pastor:       Behold, one light still burns.  They are not all gone out.  Nor have they forever taken the life of our Lord.  The hellish crew, death, the grave--these shall not hold Him, for in three days He will raise up again the temple that they sought to destroy.  They are not the victor; it is He who triumphs!  Yes, in the chaos of the elements, through the quaking earth, the rending veil, the opening graves, He lives!

                  Thousand, thousand thanks shall be,
                  Dearest Jesus, unto Thee.


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Good Friday Service 2020


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April 5, 2020 Worship Service - Palm Sunday

THE INVOCATION

Pastor:       In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit. People:      Amen.

THE OPENING SENTENCES

Pastor:       Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

People:      Hosanna to the Son of David!

Pastor:       Lift up your heads, O gates!  And be lifted up, O ancient doors,

                   that the King of Glory may come in.

People:      Who is this King of Glory?

                   The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in/battle!

Pastor:       Lift up your heads, O Gates!  And lift them up, O ancient doors,

                   that the King of Glory may come in.

People:      Who is this King of Glory?

                   The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory!

All:   Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

          Hosanna to the Son of David!

 

THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran Service Book#443)

All:   Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;

          Through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.

          To Jesus, who had blessed them, close folded to His breast,

          The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best,

          From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,

          The victor palm branch waving and chanting clear and loud.

          The Lord of earth and heaven rode on in lowly state

          Nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.

          "Hosanna in the highest!"  That ancient song we sing;

          For Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heav'n, our King.

          Oh, may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice

          And in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!

COLLECT OF THE DAY

Pastor:       Let us pray:

                   Almighty and everlasting God, You sent Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross.  Mercifully grant that we may follow the example of His great humility and patience and be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

People:      Amen.

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING                           Zechariah 9:9-12(ESV)

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your King is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is He, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and He shall speak peace to the nations; His rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.  As for you also, because of the blood of My covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.  Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.

THE EPISTLE                                                                 Philippians 2:5-11(ESV)

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

THE HOLY GOSPEL                                                      Matthew 21:1-11(ESV)

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her.  Untie them and bring them to Me.  If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he will send them at once.”  This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’”  The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them.  They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and He sat on them.  Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  And the crowds that went before Him and that followed Him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest!”  And when He entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”  And the crowds said, “This is the Prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

All:   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 X everlasting.  Amen.

THE RESPONSORY

Pastor:       We have an Advocate with the Father; Jesus is the Propitiation for our sins.

People:      He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.

Pastor:       Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away.

People:      He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.

Pastor:       Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is put away.

People:      He was delivered up to death; He was delivered for the sins of the people.

THE SERMON                             “A Different Kind of King” (Matthew 27:37)

THE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

(after each petition:)

Pastor:       Lord, in Your mercy,

People:      hear our prayer.

(at the end:)

People:      Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

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 BENEDICTION

Pastor:       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.

People:      Amen.

THE HYMN                                                              (Lutheran ServiceBook #441)

All:   Ride on, ride on in majesty! 

          Hark!  All the tribes hosanna cry,

          O Savior meek, pursue Thy road,

          With palms and scattered garments strowed.

          Ride on, ride on in majesty!

          In lowly pomp ride on to die.

          O Christ, Thy triumphs now begin

          O’er captive death and conquered sin.

          Ride on, ride on in majesty!

          The angel armies of the sky

          Look down with sad and wond’ring eyes

          To see th’ approaching sacrifice.

          Ride on, ride on in majesty!

          Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh

          The Father on His sapphire throne

          Awaits His own Anointed Son.

          Ride on, ride on in majesty!

          In lowly pomp ride on to die.

          Bow Thy meek head to mortal pain,

          Then take, O God, Thy pow’r and reign.

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