The Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity – October 01, 2023
The Nineteenth Sunday of the Pentecost Season
He Holds The Future In His Hands
A fortuneteller, gazing into crystal ball, said to her customer, who happened to be a frog (remember….this is a story!): “You’re going to meet a beautiful young woman. From the moment she sets eyes on you she’s going to have an insatiable desire to know everything about you. She will be compelled to get close to you—you’ll fascinate her.” The frog replied, “Well, where am I going to meet her…..at a singles club, or somewhere else?” To which the fortune teller responded, “No, in a biology class.” His future wasn’t going to be what he hoped it would be…..
Along similar, but more spiritual lines……An interesting map is on display at the British Museum in London. It’s an old mariner’s chart, hand-drawn in 1525, which outlines the North American coastline and adjacent waters. The cartographer made some intriguing notations on certain areas of the map that represented regions not yet explored. He wrote: “Here be giants,” “Here be fiery scorpions,” and “Here be dragons.” Eventually, the map came into the possession of Sir John Franklin, a British explorer in the early 1800s, who also happened to be a Christian. Scratching out the fearful inscriptions, he wrote these words across the map: “HERE IS GOD.”
Whether we’re talking, tongue in cheek, about that frog’s “future” in a biology class, or the many frightening unknowns about which the cartographer (wrongly) guessed…..the reality for us – as John Franklin (above) expressed it so well – is that God is in absolute control of all of life’s unknowns….and so He is in control over everything that is going to happen in your future and mine, as well as the future of the Church, and the future of this world. And because He is in control for our benefit….as God’s children and heaven’s heirs we can rest securely in the knowledge that the LORD has perfectly planned out our earthly and eternal future in the ways that will best bless us and also glorify Him.
This morning, through our Old Testament Lesson and Sermon Text, we are continuing (and are on the cusp of concluding) of examination of the life of the Old Testament Patriarch, Joseph. Today we’re going to be looking particularly at the prophetic blessings about their and their descendants’ futures that Joseph’s father, Jacob, gave to each of his sons – just before his death. In contrast with what will undoubtedly be the case for us, if you and I are even able to give our personal blessings to our loved ones while we are on our death beds, we certainly won’t know exactly what the earthly futures of those we love will be. However, Jacob was able to speak with precision about the futures of his twelve sons and their future offspring, because God was guiding him as he functioned as the LORD’s prophet. And so, Jacob predicted the future in surprising specificity for his sons and the various tribes that would come from them, and which eventually would comprise the Children of Israel.
As we speak about Israel’s future – and some of the consequences for Jacob’s sons of their sinful actions and attitudes – let’s be sure to see God’s grace at work for all Jacob’s descendants and for us….sinners though we also are…..through the promise of the coming Savior. Whether temporally blessed in pleasant ways, or through pain and problems, our gracious God held out for the children of Israel, as well as for you and me, a blessed future in heaven through faith in His guarantee of sins forgiven and salvation assured because of the redeeming work of Lion of the tribe of Judah, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Speaking of our futures here on earth, in this morning’s Gospel Lesson Jesus will tell us through the familiar words of His “Sermon on the Mount,” not to worry about anything in our lives, particularly whatever might, or might not happen tomorrow…..as well as what we might have nor not have. He tells us that the unbelieving world worries about its future and its material needs, but that we – His beloved children – never have to worry about anything at all. That’s because He has guaranteed us that He will not only take care of our physical needs (note: not necessarily our “wants”) in this life, but also that He has already taken care of our greatest need in life by forgiving our sins and securing for each of us a place in His heavenly Kingdom, through faith in Him.
That’s also the point that we’ll be making in our Children’s Lesson for today, based on Proverbs 16. There Solomon reminds us that, although we human beings think that we have to plan our futures and do whatever is necessary to make good things happen for us, it is actually God Who has already perfectly planned our earthly and eternal futures for us. And so, rather than trusting in ourselves or others, we simply and totally will want to trust in Him to bless us.
We Welcome You To Grace Lutheran Church
We welcome you this day in the name of our living Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. May you find abiding peace and renewed strength for your faith and Christian life in His Word of truth today.
The chief purpose of our ministry, as our Lord enables us, is to serve all people with the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ, revealed to us in the verbally inspired, inerrant Scriptures. To that end, it is our privilege and responsibility:
- To proclaim the Law and Gospel keenly and clearly, in order to convict sinners of their sins, to lead them to repentance, to comfort penitent souls, and to build each other up in our faith in the one, true, Triune God through the Means of Grace (the Word and Sacraments of our Lord). ….
- To equip believers, through that same Means of Grace, to grow in their Christian lives as faithful servants, stewards, and witnesses to others of the redeeming grace of our God in Christ Jesus.
Grace Lutheran Church is a fellowship of individuals and families who have found Jesus Christ to be the only safe and reliable answer to all of life’s problems and critical questions. We are members of the WELS, that is, the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Wisconsin indicates the geographical beginnings of a group of Christians who, over a century and a half ago, because of their comprehensive commitment to all that God’s Word teaches, united themselves in a join public ministry which we in the WELS carry on, by God’s grace, to this day.
Evangelical declares that we believe and proclaim the great, foundational principles of the Christian faith: namely, that we are saved by God’s free grace alone (His undeserved love), through faith alone in Jesus Christ. And that this truth is found in Scripture alone (that is, the 66 “canonical” books of the Bible).
Lutheran affirms that we believe, teach, and confess all the doctrines of the historic Christian faith as taught by Jesus to His Apostles, now contained in the written Word of God. Those truths, once all but lost o the Church because of the influences of false teachers, were – by God’s grace and blessing – restored to the Christian Church through the 16th century Lutheran Reformation led by Dr. Martin Luther. We humbly remain today, the grateful heirs of that Lutheran Reformation, Apostolic legacy.
And, finally, Synod states that we, as a congregation, have united in a shared ministry together with 1259 other like-minded WELS congregations across this country, as well as like-teaching Lutherans in 23 other nations. We join them in working together for the purposes of growing in our Christian faith, serving our glorious Lord, and proclaiming His gracious salvation in Christ to the world.
As You Prepare for Worship Today
…Please Consider these Requests
* Parents with small children…..please make use of our nursery room if your child should become restless, a distraction, or loud during the service today. (It is located along the north wall of our rear seating area.) That way you and those around you can worship more comfortably and attentively.
* Before 9:20 a.m. You are welcome (and encouraged) to visit quietly with those around you in the chapel.
* After 9:20 a.m. Out of respect for others who wish to quietly prepare themselves for worship, please quietly spend the time leading up to worship by offering the pre-service prayer, listening to the pre- service music, and preparing yourself for worship by reviewing the “Worship Focus” materials at the beginning of this flyer.
* Please turn off the ringer off your cell phone. Also please refrain from “texting” during the worship service, as this distracts both you and your fellow worshipers.
* If any personal need should arise for you this morning, either our Elders on duty, or our Head Usher (who can be found in the rear of the chapel) will be pleased to meet your needs as they are able. Just ask.
And finally….
* To our Guests Today
1) If you haven’t already done so, please sign our Guest Book in the entryway before you leave us today;
2) Please accept our invitation to join us for our Fellowship Time after
the close of worship today; and
3) Thank you and God bless you for being here with us today. Please come back again soon!
A Word to our Guests Regarding
our Approach to Worship:
We take a “liturgical” (Greek for “ordered/structured”) approach to worship. For centuries, even before the beginning of the early Christian Church – going back to the days of the ancient Jewish “Synagogue” service and temple observances – God’s people have worshiped the Lord by following a basic arrangement, or “order of service.” Rich in its Biblical content and emphases, this liturgical approach is time-tested, and is (as it ought to be) centered – not on mere feelings or emotions, but – firmly on the saving actions of our merciful God as revealed in the Holy Bible.
This approach to worship is not one that can be fully appreciated and understood instantly. If this style of worship is new to you, we encourage you to be patient, allowing yourself sufficient time to become familiar with its purposes and meaning. We are confident that with time, patience, and instruction, you will find it very edifying for your faith. Already this first time you will hear throughout the service the Good News of God’s love clearly in the inspired words of God’s prophets, evangelists, apostles – and especially God’s Son – as they speak to from the Holy Scriptures. ………..The following very brief explanation of some outward actions might also prove helpful: Generally, the congregation in worship (we are not part of an audience, but are fellow participants in the act of worshiping) is seated to listen to God’s Word and to sing the regular hymns. When praying, we stand. The pastor faces the congregation when he is serving as God’s spokesman. He faces the altar when he is serving as the congregation’s representative before the Lord, and when he joins them as a fellow worshiper. Please also note that because Jesus is our King and Lord, as well as our Redeemer and Savior, we typically stand to hear the reading of the daily Gospel lesson as an expression of our respect for the inspired words of Christ.
The portions of God’s Word used in this worship flyer have been taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version Copyright 2019, The Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission Music and lyrics, as needed, are used with permission via OneLicense.net #A712831
Pre-Service Prayer…..Dear Lord Jesus, the Apostle Paul once referred to himself as the Chief of Sinners. But in my heart I know that – not Paul, but – I am that Chief of Sinners…..wholly undeserving of Your love, of Your many mercies, and particularly of the forgiveness and salvation You won for me through Your innocent suffering and death along with Your resurrection. As I confess my sins to You this morning, please remove the burdens of guilt and unworthiness that afflict my heart and conscience. As I hear the assurance that You have wiped my sin-slate clean because of Your great love for my soul, fill me once more with the joy and confidence for eternity that every Christian ought to possess. As I meditate on Your Word today, strengthen my faith and remind me once again of why I am here: To live a life of love and faithful obedience….all to Your glory alone. And, finally, Lord Jesus, send me back out into the world at the conclusion of this day, certain of my salvation, motivated and better equipped by the Holy Spirit to serve You with all that I am and have, eager to share with everyone I can the blessed hope of everlasting life that is ours through faith in You. Now bless the Pastor as he brings Your Word to me. Bless my fellow Christians as they worship You with me. And bless my soul as I mediate on Your Word and worship You today. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Pre-service prayer Pre-worship music
Let Us Praise The Lord
The Greeting and Introduction to Worship
The Invocation
We begin this service in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Our Psalm Reading for Today Psalm 90
P: Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
C Before the mountains were born, + before you gave birth to the earth and the world, + from eternity to eternity you are God.
P: You grind people to dust, and you say, “Return, children of Adam.”
C: For a thousand years in your sight are like a day, + like yesterday that has gone by, + or like a watch in the night.
P: You sweep them away like a flood.
C: They are like sleep in the morning, + like grass which changes quickly.
P: In the morning it sprouts and grows.
C: By evening it is cut down, and it withers.
P: Surely, we are consumed by your anger, and by your wrath we are terrified.
C: You have laid out our guilty deeds in front of you. + Our hidden sins are revealed in the light of your face.
P: For all our days pass away under your fury. We finish our years like a sigh.
C: The days of our lives add up to seventy years, + or eighty years if we are strong.
P: Yet the best of them are trouble and sorrow,
C: for they disappear quickly, and we fly away.
P: Who can understand the power of your anger?
C: But your fury is consistent with the fear that is owed to you.
P: Teach us to number our days in such a way that we bring a heart of wisdom.
C: Turn, O Lord! How long! + Change your mind toward your servants.
P: Satisfy us in the morning with your mercy, so that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
C: Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, + for as many years as we have seen trouble.
P: Let your deeds be seen by your servants and your majesty by their children. May the kindness of the Lord our God rest upon us.
C: Establish the work of our hands for us. + Yes, establish the work of our hands.
After which the Congregation may be seated for
The Opening Hymn Hymn 441 “O God, our Help in Ages Past”
1 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home,
2 Under the shadow of your throne Your saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is your arm alone, And our defense is sure.
3 Before the hills in order stood Or earth received its frame,
From everlasting you are God, To endless years the same.
4 A thousand ages in your sight Are like an evening gone,
Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.
5 Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Soon bears us all away;
We fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the op’ning day.
6 O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come,
Still be our guard while troubles last And our eternal home!
After which the Pastor will invite the Congregation to rise as
We Make Confession Of Our Sins To God
Pastor God, our Heavenly Father, invites us to come into His presence and to worship Him with humble and penitent hearts. Therefore, let us now turn to Him, acknowledging our sinfulness and seeking His forgiveness for all our sins.
Congregation Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed You in my thoughts, words, and actions; I have done what is evil in Your sight and have failed to do what is good. For this I know that I deserve Your punishment, both now and for eternity. But I am truly sorry for all my sins and trusting in the perfect life and innocent death of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I plead: God have mercy on me, a sinner.
(Sung) Lord have mercy on us;
Christ have mercy on us; Lord, have mercy on us.
Pastor Our gracious Lord and Master has shown us His mercy: He has given His one and only Son to save us from all our sins. And now, having humbly and sincerely confessed your sins before Almighty God, be strengthened in your faith, mindful that our Lord is not willing that anyone should perish eternally, but that everyone should come to repentance, turning from their evil ways and receiving from Him everlasting life. God has commanded His ministers to declare His forgiveness of sins to all who are penitent. Therefore, addressing you as a called servant of Christ, and according to His command and under His authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. May the peace of God rest upon all of you. Amen.
(Sung) Glory be to God on high
and on earth peace good will to men.
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You.
We glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
O Lord God heavenly King, God the Father almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ,
O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
You take away the sin of the world. Have mercy on us.
You take away the sin of the world. Receive our prayer.
You sit at the right hand of God the Father.
Have mercy on us.
For You only are holy. You only are the Lord.
You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit.
Are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen
After which the Congregation will be seated as
We Listen to the Word of God
The First Lesson Genesis 49
Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, so that I can declare to you what will happen to you in the days to come.”
2 Assemble together, and listen to this, you sons of Jacob.
Listen to Israel, your father.
3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might,
and the beginning of my vigor,
excelling in dignity and excelling in power.
4 Boiling over like water, you shall not excel,
because you went up to your father’s bed,
and you defiled it.
He went up to my couch!
5 Simeon and Levi are brothers.
Their daggers are weapons of violence.
6 My soul, do not enter their council.
My glory, do not join in their assembly.
Yes, in their anger they killed men.
In their spitefulness they hamstrung oxen.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce.
Cursed be their wrath, for it was cruel.
I will divide them in Jacob.
I will scatter them in Israel.
8 Judah, your brothers will praise you.
Your hand will be on the throat of your enemies.
Your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 Judah is a lion’s cub.
You have gone up from the prey, my son.
He stooped down. He crouched like a lion.
He is like a lioness. Who will provoke him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until the one to whom it belongs comes.
He will receive the obedience of the peoples.
11 He will tie his foal to the vine,
his donkey’s colt to the choice vine.
He has washed his clothing in wine,
his garments in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.
13 Zebulun will dwell at the seashore.
He will provide a landing place for ships.
His border will extend toward Sidon.
14 Issachar is a strong-boned donkey,
lying down between the saddlebags.
15 He saw a resting place that was good.
He saw land that was pleasant.
He bows his shoulder under the burden
and becomes a slave doing forced labor.
16 Dan will judge his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.
17 Dan will be a snake in the way,
a viper in the path.
It bites the horse’s heels,
so that its rider falls backward.
18 I have waited for your salvation, O Lord.
19 Raiders will attack Gad,
but he will attack their heels.
20 Asher’s food will be rich.
He will produce delicacies fit for a king.
21 Naphtali is a doe set free,
that bears beautiful fawns.
22 Joseph is a fruitful vine,
a fruitful vine by a spring.
His branches run over the wall.
23 The archers have fiercely attacked him.
They shot at him and harassed him,
24 but his bow remained steady.
His arms and hands were made strong
by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob,
by the name of the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel,
25 by the God of your father, who will help you,
by the Almighty, who will bless you
with blessings from heaven above,
blessings from the deep that lies below,
blessings from the breasts and from the womb.
26 The blessings of your father are greater than the blessings of
my parents,
greater than the treasures of the ancient hills.
They will rest on the head of Joseph,
on the forehead of him who is elevated above his brothers.
27 Benjamin is a ravenous wolf.
In the morning he will devour the prey.
At evening he will divide the spoils.
28 All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father spoke to them when he blessed them. He blessed each one with the appropriate blessing. 29 He instructed them and said to them, “I am going to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30 in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, which is near Mamre in the land of Canaan, which Abraham purchased along with the field from Ephron the Hittite as a burial place. 31 There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah. 32 The field and the cave that is in it was purchased from the descendants of Heth.”
33 When Jacob finished instructing his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, breathed his last breath, and was gathered to his people.
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson Matthew 6:25-34
25 “For this reason I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
27 “Which of you can add a single moment to his lifespan by worrying? 28 Why do you worry about clothing? Consider how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin, 29 but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not clothe you even more, you of little faith?
31 “So do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the unbelievers chase after all these things. Certainly your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
The Nicene Creed
- I believe in One God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light. Very God of Very God. Begotten, not made. Being of one substance with the Father, By Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come.
Following which the Congregation may be seated for
Our Children’s Lesson Proverbs 16:9
The heart of a man has plans, but the LORD establishes his steps.
God Controls Our Future
Sermon Hymn Hymn 417 “I’m But A Stranger Here”
- 1 I’m but a stranger here; Heav’n is my home.
- Earth is a desert drear; Heav’n is my home.
- Danger and sorrow stand Round me on ev’ry hand.
- Heav’n is my fatherland; Heav’n is my home.
- 2 What though the tempest rage, Heav’n is my home.
- Short is my pilgrimage; Heav’n is my home.
- And time’s wild, wintry blast Soon shall be overpast;
- I shall reach home at last; Heav’n is my home.
- 3 There at my Savior’s side – Heav’n is my home.–
- I shall be glorified; Heav’n is my home.
- There are the good and blest, Those I love most and best,
- And there, I, too, shall rest; Heav’n is my home.
- 4 Therefore I murmur not; Heav’n is my home.
- Whate’er my earthly lot, Heav’n is my home.
- And I shall surely stand There at my Lord’s right hand.
- Heav’n is my Fatherland; Heav’n is my home.
- The Greeting
- Grace and peace be yours in abundance, through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer!
The Sermon Text Genesis 49 today’s Old Testament Lesson
- Jacob Looks Into the Future
- after the Sermon, the Congregation will rise for
- The Post-Sermon Blessing
- May the Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers; May He never leave us or forsake us. May He turn our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways.
- We Offer Our Gifts to the Lord
- Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
- Offerings will be received this morning through offering plates passed among those who have gathered here for worship.
- However, for those viewing this service online, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
- 1) You can mail a check (no cash) to the church address: (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
- 2) You can also donate on our website: gracelutherannwa.com
- after the offering is presented, the Congregation will rise for
- Today’s Prayers
- Included in our prayers this morning is a prayer of thanksgiving for our brother, Tom Otto, who has returned home to continue his recovery from surgery a month ago.
- also
- A Prayer of Thanksgiving on behalf of Marilyn Outlaw, who had a successful surgical procedure Thursday and is recovering while hospitalized at Mercy Hospital in Rogers;
- and also
- A Prayer of Thanksgiving for the following couples, celebrating
- their wedding anniversaries this week:
- Allen and Joyce Skogen (Tuesday) and
- Rachel and Micah Galvan (Friday)
- C: Our Father, Who art in heaven + Hallowed be Thy name. + Thy Kingdom come. + Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. + Give us this day our daily bread. + And forgive us our trespasses + as we forgive those who trespass against us. + And lead us not into temptation. + But deliver us from evil. + For Thine is the kingdom + And the power + And the glory + Forever and ever.
- We Celebrate the Lord’s Supper
- Pastor – The Lord be with you.
- Congregation (Sung) And also with You
- Pastor – Lift up your hearts.
- Congregation (Sung) We lift them up unto the Lord
- Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
- Congregation (Sung) It is good and right so to do.
- Pastor – It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who promised that wherever two or three come together in His name, there He is with them. Therefore with angels and archangel, and all the company of heaven, we praise Your holy name and join their glorious song:
- (Sung) Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of heavenly hosts.
- Heaven and earth are full of Your glory
- Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
- Blessed is He, Blessed is He, Blessed is He
- Who comes in the name of the Lord.
- Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the highest.
- Consecration of the Elements
Pastor – The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Congregation – (Sung) Amen.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world;
Grant us peace. Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper (Pastor)
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
TO OUR GUESTS AND FRIENDS
We ask that only “Confirmed, Communicant” members of this congregation, or of one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod congregations come forward to receive the Lord’s Supper at this time.
We believe, according to Scripture, that only those who are “one,” that is, in complete doctrinal agreement, united in a common public confession of faith, are to commune together at the same altar (see I Corinthians 10:17 and I Corinthians 1:10).
To be “in communion” means to share and to hold in common. By eating and drinking at our Lord’s Table, we are not only sharing in, with, and under the bread and wine, Jesus’ very body and blood…we are also publicly declaring that we hold in common a specific confession of faith. In other words, as a result of having comprehensively studied the Scriptures together all of our communicants have agreed to accept and proclaim the same Biblical doctrines and practices.
Through membership in a particular church body (for us, that church body is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod), each person makes a public statement that he/she is in full agreement with the teachings and practices of that body. Because not every church body or Lutheran Synod teaches and practices the same things, we in the WELS
want to be honest in our recognition of the doctrinal differences that, here on earth, separate us from other church bodies. Please bear in mind that we are not, in any way, judging the legitimacy of your Christian faith. Still, we ask that if you have not (upon study of the Word with us) declared yourself to be in full doctrinal agreement with us, you would respectfully not join us in the Lord’s Supper this morning.
It is our prayer that our Scripture-based practice of “Close Communion” will encourage anyone among us today who is not presently in full fellowship with us to seriously examine the teachings and practices of his/her church in order to determine if those teachings and practices are really in full agreement with God’s Word.
And if you are guest among us today, we want you to know that it is our earnest desire that you might become familiar with the Biblical doctrines our congregation confesses, in order that you might one day join with us at the Lord’s altar in this public expression of full unity of doctrine and practice. Until then, please know that we are most grateful for your participation as a fellow Christian in this worship service, and that we appreciate your understanding and respect of our Communion practice.
The Distribution of the Sacrament
Distribution Hymns Hymn 309 “Draw Near And Take the Body of the Lord”
1 Draw near and take the body of the Lord, And drink the holy blood for you outpoured.
Offered was he for greatest and for least, Himself the victim and himself the priest.
2 He that his saints in this world rules and shields To all believers life eternal yields,
With heav’nly bread makes them that hunger whole,
Gives living waters to the thirsty soul.
3 Come forward, then, with faithful hearts sincere, And take the pledges of salvation here.
Before your altar, Lord, your servants bow; In this your feast of love be with us now.
Hymn 313 “Jesus Christ, Our Blessed Savior”
verses 1-4; verses 5-8
1 Jesus Christ, our blessed Savior, Turned away God’s wrath forever;
By his bitter grief and woe He saved us from the evil foe.
2 As his pledge of love undying, He, this precious food supplying,
Gives his body with the bread And with the wine the blood he shed.
3 Jesus here himself is sharing; Take heed how you are preparing,
For if you do not believe, Judgment instead you shall receive.
4 Useless would be Jesus’ passion If salvation you could fashion.
Do not come if you suppose You need not him who died and rose.
5 Christ says, “Come, all you that labor, And receive my grace and favor;
Those who feel no pain or ill Need no physician’s help or skill.”
6 Then hold fast with faith unshaken That this food is to be taken
By the souls who are distressed, By hearts that long for peace and rest.
7 Praise the Father, who from heaven Unto us such food has given
And, to mend what we have done, Gave into death his only Son.
8 If your heart this truth professes And your mouth your sin confesses,
Surely you will be his guest And at his banquet ever blest.
After the Sacrament is celebrated, the pastor will invite the Congregation to rise
We Leave With The Lord’s Blessing
The Closing Prayer
The Closing Blessing
The LORD bless you and keep you.
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
The LORD look with favor upon you, and give you His peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn Hymn 318 “Sent Forth By God’s Blessing”
Sent forth by God’s blessing, Our true faith confessing,
The people of God from His dwelling take leave. The supper is ended.
Oh, now be extended The fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of His teaching, Receptive souls reaching,
Shall blossom in action for God and for all.
His grace did invite us, His love shall unite us
To work for God’s kingdom and answer His call.
With praise and thanksgiving To God ever living,
The tasks of our everyday life we will face. Our faith ever sharing,
In love ever caring, Embracing His children of each tribe and race.
With Your feast You feed us, With Your light now lead us;
Unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living With praise and thanks giving
Give honor to Christ and His name that we bear.
Silent Prayer
Announcements
Post-service music
+ + + Thank You + + +
For being a part of our worshiping assembly this morning.
We invite you to join those around you for some good conversation
and fellowship at the conclusion of today’s announcements.
We also invite you to join us for coffee, juice, tea,
and other refreshments in our gymnasium/fellowship hall.
Finally, we encourage you to remain afterward with us
for further growth in God’s Word through our Bible Class
and Sunday Classes.
May the comfort of God’s love and His forgiveness through Jesus Christ
be with you throughout this day and this week.