The Twentieth Sunday after the Festival of the Holy Trinity
The Twenty-Second Sunday of the Pentecost Season
For All The Saints
Who From Their Labors Rest
This morning’s worship service finds us entering the closing stage of the Church Year – typically a three to four week period (this year, four weeks) during which Christians have traditionally focused on Biblical topics dealing with the Last Times. Those themes included: the reality of physical death yet the victory we have over death through Christ, the signs of the end of the world, the events of Judgement Day, our being spiritually prepared for the Lord’s Return, our anticipation of the glories of heaven, the reality of hell and its agonies, our assurance of eternal life in heaven, and truth of the bodily resurrection on the Last Day.
As you might recall, the Church Year is an ancient Christian arrangement that is not the same as our secular, “Calendar Year” (Jan 1 to Dec 31). The Church Year begins either in late November or early December with the season of Advent (a four week time of preparation and anticipation for celebrating Christ’s birth). Advent is followed by the Christmas Season, the Epiphany Season (when we typically focus on various Scriptural proofs of Christ’s deity), the Lenten Season (with its penitential emphasis on our sins that necessitated Christ’s sacrifice), and the Easter Season (during which we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the various assurances it gives us). Those five “seasons” comprise what is known as “The First (or Festival) Half” of the Church Year, running from approximately December through May.
With the arrival of the Summer months and stretching through the Fall, we enter the second part of the Church Year, which is alternately referred to as either “The Trinity Season” or “the Pentecost Season.” (The Festival of Pentecost always comes one week before the Festival of the Holy Trinity.) Sometimes it’s also called the “Non-Festival Portion of the Church Year.” It is also roughly 6 months long, and covers between 24 and 27 Sundays (this year it is 24 Sundays long) — depending on when Easter falls in the spring. This second part of the Church year, as we noted earlier, always concludes with three to four Sundays during which Christians study what God’s Word tells us about the end of our lives as well as about the impending end of the world. This morning and over the next three weeks our worship services will follow that custom. Today we will be concentrating on what the Bible says should be the perspective that we, as believers in Christ (and so “saints of heaven”) have about everlasting life in heaven.
All Saints’ Sunday
Today (technically yesterday, November 1st) we have the opportunity to observe one of the more interesting and lesser known festivals on the Church calendar: All Saints Day. Its beginnings date back into the 4th century A.D., when the Christians in Syria took the opportunity to formally express their gratitude to God for the faith given to those persons who had been martyred in the name of Christ. Later, on November 1st in 610 AD a church outside Rome was dedicated in memory of martyred Christians. This marked the start of the Christian Church’s “official” observation of All Martyrs’ Day. A few centuries later, All Martyrs’ Day became known as All Saints’ Day, so that Christians might have one day each year set aside in order to give thanks to God for those faithful believers who had departed this life for heaven, as well as to celebrate the final triumph of Christ and His Church over all false gods and evil forces.
In Lutheran circles All Saints’ Day traditionally focuses on that status of “saint” which our Lord has granted to every believer (alive here on earth, as well as already in heaven with Christ), as we are all part of the “Communion of Saints,” namely the Holy Christian Church on earth and in heaven.
With that in mind, the theme of our worship service today is the opening phrase of what ought to be a very familiar (and a favorite) hymn for many of us: “For All The Saints, Who From Their Labors Rest.” We’ll spend this time together studying the characteristics and blessings which belong to the Saints on earth, but especially to the Saints enjoying everlasting life with Christ, our Savior, in heaven.
In today’s Psalm Reading we’ll talk especially about two “attributes,” or characteristics of our God: namely, that He is all-knowing (omniscient) and is all-present (omnipresent).
As we listen to Job’s words of faith in our Children’s Lesson for today, we’ll hear him express his confidence in
the resurrection of his body and of a life with God beyond the grave as He utters, under inspiration, the encouraging words, “I know that my Redeemer lives….and that in the end…..after my skin has been destroyed…..I myself will see Him with my own eyes!” No matter what you and I face in life, God-enabling, let’s display the same faithful confidence in our eternal deliverance that Job demonstrates here.
In our Old Testament Lesson God tells us He is going to create a new heaven and earth, and that “the former things” of this life will not be remembered there. Our future home is a place where sorrow and death will not exist. Instead, life in heaven will be characterized by joy, satisfaction and perfect peace.
Our Epistle Lesson depicts the Church (Saints) in heavenly glory where they (and so, we) will finally be free from soul-hazards of false teachers and the hostility of this sinful world.
In our Gospel Lesson Jesus prays for the “soul security” of the Christian Church, asking that we be kept united with Him and each other on earth until we join Him as the Church Triumphant in heaven.
Today’s Sermon Text is the last “dialogue” that Jesus had with His opponents during Tuesday of Holy Week. Here some Sadducees (part of the priestly order), who were religious “liberals” that didn’t believe – among other things – in the resurrection of the body, almost mockingly ask a question about the resurrection, but in connection with an OT law known as “the levirate law” (Dt 25:5-10). “Levir” means “brother” in Hebrew. The “levirate” law was a regulation requiring a brother to marry his deceased brother’s wife….IF that deceased brother had had no children. The first child born to that couple would be given the name and property rights of the deceased brother. Anyway, the Sadducees attempt to embarrass Jesus with a question about seven brothers who all were childless, yet who all were married to the same wife. They asked Jesus, mockingly, which brother would she be married to when the resurrection occurred. Jesus’ replied that they didn’t know what the Word of God taught (which was true). He says that in the resurrection, and so in heaven, earthly institutions and relationships like marriage will not exist, but will be superceded by an even greater and more intimate relationship that believers will enjoy with each other and with the Lord. There we will truly be the “family of God.”
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 Lord God, merciful Father, I thank You that You have safely brought me to this hour of worship. Through Your Holy Spirit open my heart to the wondrous truths of Your salvation which I will hear this morning and grant new strength to my faith and greater confidence in You to my soul. Bless the preaching and teaching of Your Word both in our congregation and throughout Your Church on earth. Give power and conviction to our pastor here and to ministers everywhere, that their testimony to Your holiness, sovereignty, and grace may be clear and true to Your revealed Word. Grant me the grace to bring all my sin-burdens before Your altar and leave them there at Your feet. Keep me from mere formalism in my worship, from praying with my lips while my heart is far from you, and from failing to personalize Your words of rebuke, instruction and comfort that I will soon be hearing. Receive my offerings, humble though they are, as expressions both of my trust in You as the Provider of all good things and of my commitment to being a partner in the growth of Your Kingdom. And, after this service closes, enable me to live according to Your Word and for Your glory throughout this week. All this I ask, in the name and for the sake of Your Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Silent Prayer Pre service music
We Begin Our Worship
The Greeting and Introduction to Today’s Service
After which the Congregation will rise for
The Invocation
Pastor We begin this service in the name of the Father
Congregation Who gave us our lives through His almighty power.
P: And of the Son
C: Who redeemed our lives with His precious blood.
P: And of the Holy Spirit
C: Who gave us eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
P: Amen.
Our Psalm for Today Psalm 139
P: 1 Lord, You have investigated me, and You know. 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up. You understand my thoughts from far off. 3 You keep track of when I travel and when I stay,
and You are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before there is a word on my tongue, You, Lord, already know it completely.
C: 5 You put a fence behind me and in front of me, + and You have placed Your hand on me. + 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me. + It is too high—I cannot grasp it.
P: 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your Presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, You are there. If I make my bed in hell—there You are! 9 I rise on the wings of dawn. I settle on the far side of the sea. 10 Even there Your hand guides me, and Your right hand holds on to me.
C: 11 And if I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me + and the light will become night around me,” + 12 then even the darkness will not be too dark for You. + The night will be as light as the day. +
Darkness and light are the same to You.
P 13 For You created my inner organs. You wove me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and my soul knows that very well. 15 My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unfinished body. In Your book all of them were written.
C: 17 Your thoughts to me are so precious, O God! + How great is the sum of them! + 18 If I would count them, + they would outnumber the grains of sand. + I awake, and I am still with You.
P: 19 If only You would slay the wicked, O God, so that bloody men would depart from me, 20 men who speak against You maliciously.
Your adversaries misuse Your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and detest those who rise up against You? 22 I absolutely hate them. To me they are enemies.
C: 23 Investigate me, God, and know my heart. + Test me and know my troubled thoughts. + 24 See if there is any way in me that causes pain, + and lead me in the way everlasting.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Opening Hymn The Morning Sun Is Dawning
To the tune of “The Morning Light Is Breaking”
vv 1 & 3 adapted from Johannes Nuhlmann’s “Dank Sei Gott in der Hohe”
vv 2 & 4 CWH 2001
The morning sun is dawning, And I thank God once more
Beneath Whose care awaking I find the night is o’er:
I thank Him that He’s called me To be His child and heir;
I know, whatever happens I’m safely in His care.
O Lord of all creation, Watch over me this day;
In all I do be near me, For others too I pray –
To You I do commend them: Our church, our youth, our land;
Direct them and defend them, When dangers are at hand.
You are the Vine, O Savior, May we, Your branches be,
Connected to You firmly, And for eternity.
Your Spirit place within us, And let His gifts of grace
Empower us to serve You – throughout our earthly race.
So grant us, Lord, Your blessing That we may do Your will,
No more Your ways transgressing, Our calling to fulfill;
To go and tell the Good News: Christ died for all, that we –
through faith in Him, forgiven — Have heaven eternally.
After which the Congregation will 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.
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, under His command and authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the peace of God rest upon all of you.
Congregation Amen.
Lord Have Mercy
P: For all that we need in life, and for the wisdom to use all Your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear our prayer, O Lord.
C: (sung) Lord have mercy
p: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from Your love and for the courage to stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ:
C: (Sung) Christ have mercy.
P: For the well-being of Your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord
C: (Sung) Lord have mercy.
p: Merciful God, Maker and Preserver of life, uphold us by Your power, and keep us in Your tender care:
C: (sung) Amen.
P: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; His name is worthy of praise.
(Sung) O Lord, our Lord,
How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
Almighty God, merciful Father,
Your crown our life with Your love.
You take away our sin; You comfort our spirit;
You make us pure and holy in Your sight.
You did not spare Your only Son, but gave Him up for us all.
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
O Son of God, eternal Word of the Father,
You came to live with us; You made Your Father known;
You washed us from our sins in Your own blood.
You are the King of glory; You are the Lord!
O Lord, our Lord, How glorious is Your name in all the earth.
The Early Prayer
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, + Who sent Your only Son to this earth + to preach both repentance and faith in You, + and to offer Himself as the full payment for all our sins, + help us through Your Holy Spirit + to better understand and carry out + the responsibilities Christ has given us to correctly divide + and to faithfully proclaim the Law and the Gospel + not only to the members of our Church family + but also to the world at large. + Lead us always to speak Your truth in love, + and fill us with a righteous zeal + for the salvation of souls. + Now bless our study of Your Word, dear Father, + for the benefit of us all at Grace Lutheran Church, + and for the extension of Your Kingdom throughout the world. + All this we seek in the name + and for the sake + of Jesus Christ, our Savior + Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, + One God, forever and ever. + Amen.
We Give Our Attention to The Word of Our Lord
The Children’s Lesson Job 19:23-27
23 Oh how I wish that my words were written down.
Oh how I wish that they were inscribed in bronze,
24 that they would be engraved in rock forever
with an iron tool and letters filled with lead.
25 As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that at the end of time He will stand over the dust.
26 Then, even after my skin has been destroyed,
nevertheless, in my own flesh I will see God.
27 I myself will see Him.
My own eyes will see him, and not as a stranger.
My emotions are in turmoil within me.
What Happens When My Body Is Raised?
The Old Testament Lesson Isaiah 65:17-25
17 Watch this! I am about to create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered. They
will not come to mind. 18 Instead, rejoice and celebrate forever, because of what I am creating. Watch this! I am about to create Jerusalem to be a source of gladness, and her people will be a source of joy. 19 I also will be glad because of Jerusalem, and I will rejoice over my people. The sound of weeping will not be heard in her again, nor will the sound of crying. 20 There will never again be an infant there who lives for only a few days, or an elderly man who does not fill out all his days, for one who dies at a hundred will be considered a young man, and one who fails to attain the age of one hundred will be regarded as cursed.
21 Then they will build houses and live in them. They will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They will not build a house and have another person live in it. They will not plant and have another person eat the crop, for the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and my chosen ones will enjoy all the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor only to receive nothing, and they will not give birth to children doomed to disaster, for they will be offspring who are blessed by the Lord, and their descendants will be with them. 24 Then even before they call, I will answer. While they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and lions will eat straw like cattle, but the serpent will eat dust as its food. They will not harm or destroy anywhere on my holy mountain, says the Lord.
The Epistle Lesson Revelation 14:1-13
Then I looked, and there was the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of a loud thunderclap. The sound that I heard was also like the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They were singing a new song in front of the throne and the four living creatures and the elders. No one was able to learn that song except the 144,000, who had been purchased from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, because they are virgins. They continually follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They were purchased from among mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb. 5 And no lie was found in their mouths. They are blameless.
6 Then I saw another angel flying in the middle of the sky. He had the everlasting gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth, to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said with a loud voice:
Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him Who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and the springs of water.
8 Another angel, a second, followed. He said, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the Great, who made every nation drink from the wine of her adulterous desire.”
9 Another angel, a third one, followed them. He said with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he will also drink from the wine of God’s wrath, which has been poured undiluted into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment is going to rise forever and ever. Those who worship the beast and his image, and anyone who receives the mark of his name, are going to have no rest day and night.”
12 Here patient endurance is needed by the saints, who hold on to the commands of God and their faith in Jesus. 13 And I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “because they will rest from their labors, for their works follow them.”
after which, the Congregation will rise for
The Gospel Lesson John 17:20-26
20 “I am praying not only for them, but also for those who believe in Me through their message. 21 May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. May they also be one in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one, as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me. May they become completely one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.
24 “Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am so that they may see My glory—the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the world’s foundation. 25 Righteous Father, the world did not know You, but I knew You, and these men knew that You sent Me. 26 I made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them and that I may be in them.”
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. Amen.
After which the Congregation will be seated for
The Hymn of the Day Hymn 551 “For All The Saints”
1 For all the saints who from their labors rest, All who their faith before the world confessed,
Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
2 You were their rock, their fortress, and their might; You, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight
And in the darkness drear their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 Oh, may your soldiers, faithful, true, and bold Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia!
4 Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle; they in glory shine,
Yet all are one within your grand design. Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,
And hearts are brave again and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia!
6 The golden evening brightens in the west; Soon, soon, to faithful warriors comes their rest.
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
7 But then there breaks a yet more glorious day: The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!
8 From earth’s wide bounds to ocean’s farthest coast Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia! Alleluia!
After which, at the Pastor’s invitation, the Congregation will rise for
The Pre-Sermon 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! Amen.
The Sermon Luke 20:27-40
27 Some of the Sadducees (who say there is no resurrection) came to Him. 28 They asked Him a question, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no children, his brother should take the wife and raise up children for his brother. 29 So there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died childless. 30 The second took her as a wife, 31 and so did the third, and in the same way the seven died and left no children. 32 Finally the woman died too. 33 So in the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as a wife.”
34 Jesus said to them, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy to experience that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 In fact, they cannot die any more, for they are like the angels. They are sons of God, because they are sons of the resurrection.
37 Even Moses showed in the account about the burning bush that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord: ‘The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to Him.”
39 Some of the experts in the law answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40 Then they no longer dared to ask Him anything.
What Will Life Be Like After the Resurrection?
After the sermon the Congregation will REMAIN SEATED for
The Post-Sermon Blessing
May the God of peace, Who brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, now equip you with everything good for doing His will! Amen.
We Offer Our Gifts and Prayers to the Lord
Our Offerings of Love to our Lord
We will be passing an offering plate through our chapel at this point. For those unable to worship with us in person, if you would like to participate in this offering, we offer you the following suggestions for providing God with Your thank-offerings through our ministry:
1) You can send a check (no cash) in the mail to Grace Lutheran Church (415 N. 6th Place, Lowell, AR 72745)
2) Or, go online to our website (www.gracelutherannwa.com) and use the giving option there.
As the offerings are brought forward, the Congregation rises for prayer
Today’s Prayers, followed by The Lord’s Prayer
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.
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 to the Lord
Pastor – Let us give thanks unto the Lord, our God.
Congregation (sung) It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
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. He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, and placed all things under His feet for the benefit of the Church. Now have come the salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ., To Him Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and thanks and glory and honor for ever and ever.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts,
The whole earth is full of Your glory.
You are my God and I will exalt You.
I will give You thanks for You have become my salvation.
Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts.
The whole earth is full of Your glory.
Consecration of the Communion Elements (Pastor)
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 Your peace. Amen.
The Exhortation Regarding the Lord’s Supper
The Distribution of the Lord’s Supper
(Please read the following if you have not spoken with
our Pastor about taking communion. Thank you.)
To our Guests this morning, we appreciate your presence among us. It is an honor to have you join with us as we worship our Lord and listen to His Word. We truly consider it a privilege to spend this time with you! It is our hope that you will both return in the future to worship with us again, and – perhaps – that You will even choose to become part of our congregation’s membership and our Synodical (WELS) fellowship, so that you might become even more involved in worship, study of God’s Word, and in Christian ministry and fellowship with us.
In connection with our worship as Christians, we regularly celebrate the Lord’s upper, or Holy Communion. But, as a key part of our church’s Biblically-based communion practice, before we can ask anyone to commune with us, we are compelled to first sit down with that individual and establish (upon a comprehensive study of the teachings of Scripture) that we are united in full doctrinal/ teaching fellowship…….which Scripture requires of any and all Christians before they can commune together.
Accordingly, we can offer the Lord’s Supper this morning only to those individuals who have completed that course of study, and who have chosen to become confirmed, communicant members of Grace Lutheran congregation or from one of our Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) or Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) congregations.
For some guests, this Biblical practice of “Close Communion“ is both unfamiliar and (quite possibly) uncomfortable. We realize that, unfortunately, few churches today continue to follow this approach to communion…..though, in the past (when many churches were more concerned about following all of God’s Word than is the case today) nearly all did. We understand that it is not necessarily easy to watch others receiving the Lord’s Supper, while being asked – respectfully — to refrain from receiving it. Many of us who are communing today once also watched others receive the Lord’s Supper, as you are asked to do this morning, while waiting for the privilege of one day being an active partner in this “Close Communion.” We want to assure you that we are not judging your faith in Christ today. Nor it is our desire to offend you. But it also is not our desire to offend or disobey our Lord’s expectations for the proper use of His Supper. Indeed, we must all obey Him above all others, and we want to obey Him. Consequently, if you have any questions or concerns about our use/practice of the Lord’s Supper (and we invite you to ask or express them — if you do), please feel free to speak with our Pastor after the service, or at your convenience. He considers it a privilege to share with you and others the Biblical reasons for our approach to receiving and offering the Lord’s Supper. In addition, you can also find a brochure in our tract/brochure rack in the entryway; it is entitled “Our Communion Practice.” This brochure also provides our guests and friends with the Scripture-based explanation for our understanding of and use of the Lord’s Supper.
Finally, please know that we truly are grateful for your participation – as a fellow Christian – in this morning’s worship service. We also thank you for your patience and understanding, and for respecting this Biblical approach we must take as we endeavor to faithful make us of our Lord’s Supper. We hope and pray that you will come back to worship with us again — often. And that one day you might become a part of this Christian fellowship, not only as we worship and hear God’s Word from these pews, but as we receive the Lord’s Supper together. May God bless and keep you always!
The Distribution Hymns Hymn 550 “Behold A Host Arrayed in White”
1 Behold a host, arrayed in white, Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright;
With palms they stand. Who is this band Before the throne of light?
These are the saints of glorious fame, Who from the great affliction came
And in the flood Of Jesus’ blood Are cleansed from guilt and blame.
Now gathered in the holy place, Their voices they in worship raise.
Their anthems swell Where God does dwell Mid angels’ songs of praise.
2 Despised and scorned, they sojourned here; But now, how glorious they appear!
Those martyrs stand, A priestly band, God’s throne forever near.
So oft in troubled days gone by, In anguish they would weep and sigh;
At home above The God of love Fore’er their tears shall dry.
They now enjoy the Sabbath rest, The heav’nly banquet of the blest;
The Lamb, their Lord, At festive board Himself is host and guest.
O blessèd saints, now take your rest; A thousand times you will be blessed
For keeping faith firm unto death And scorning worldly trust
For now you live at home with God You toiled and sowed the Word abroad.
You toiled and sowed the Word abroad;
Rejoice and bring Your fruits and sing Before the throne of God.
The myriad angels raise their song; O saints, sing with that happy throng!
Lift up one voice; Let heav’n rejoice In our Redeemer’s song!
Hymn 312 “Lord Jesus Christ, You Have Prepared”
1 Lord Jesus Christ, you have prepared This feast for our salvation;
It is your body and your blood, And at your invitation
As weary souls, with sin oppressed, We come to you for needed rest,
For comfort, and for pardon.
2 Although you did to heav’n ascend, Where angel hosts are dwelling,
And in your presence they behold Your glory, all excelling,
And though your people shall not see Your glory and your majesty
Till dawns the judgment morning,
3 Yet, Savior, you are not confined To any habitation,
But you are present ev’rywhere And with your congregation.
Firm as a rock this truth shall stand, Unmoved by any daring hand
Or subtle craft and cunning.
4 We eat this bread and drink this cup, Your precious Word believing
That your true body and your blood Our lips are here receiving.
This Word remains forever true, And there is naught you cannot do,
For you, Lord, are almighty.
5 Though reason cannot understand, Yet faith this truth embraces:
Your body, Lord, is ev’rywhere At once in many places.
I leave to you how this can be; Your Word alone suffices me;
I trust its truth unfailing.
6 Lord, I believe what you have said; Help me when doubts assail me.
Remember that I am but dust, And let my faith not fail me.
Your supper in this vale of tears Refreshes me and stills my fears
And is my priceless treasure.
7 Grant that we worthily receive Your supper, Lord, our Savior,
And, truly grieving for our sins, May prove by our behavior
That we are thankful for your grace And day by day may run our race,
In holiness increasing.
8 For your consoling supper, Lord, Be praised throughout all ages!
Preserve it, for in ev’ry place The world against it rages.
Grant that this sacrament may be A blessed comfort unto me
When living and when dying.
After the distribution of the elements is completed the Congregation will be invited to rise as
We Conclude Our Worship Today
The Closing Prayer
Hear the prayer of Your people, O Lord, that the lips which have praised You here may glorify You in the world, that the eyes which have seen the coming of Your Son may long for His coming again, and that all who have received in His true body and blood the pledge of Your forgiveness, may be restored to live a new and holy life through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen.
The Benediction
P: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord in gladness.
The LORD bless you and keep you
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.
The LORD look upon you with favor, and give you peace. Amen.
The Closing Hymn “The Time Has Come, O Lord”
The time has come O Lord, for us to leave this place.
Tend Your sheep, Good Shepherd, and lead us in Your grace.
Wherever life may take us as we go our separate ways,
Help us share with others the things we’ve shared today.
May the peace of God the Father, and the Love of Christ, His Son,
Guide us in the days ahead, and strengthen us, each one.
May the blessings of the Spirit fill us from within.
God bless us and return us. to this fellowship…..Once again.
Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.