ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST THAT’S IN THE BIBLE?! “Death by Worms” Acts 12:21-24 July 30 & 31, 2016 5:00 & 8:15 AS WE GATHER “Pointless!” he cries. “Everything is pointless!” Such a cry may sound familiar to you. Do you ever feel that your work is pointless, a chasing after the wind? Do you ever feel empty at the end of a busy week? Do you ever scratch your head and wonder, “Is there a point to all of this?” If you do, you are not alone. You are not alone in feeling that way, nor are you alone as you seek to be renewed in your Savior’s presence today! As you gather with your family in Christ and rest from your labors during this hour of worship, God is at work! He is here by His grace to forgive your sins, to refresh your soul, and to fill you with new life by His Word and Spirit. Jesus comes to you today to give you meaning for your daily life and to fill you with joy in His presence! PRELUDE RINGING OF THE BELLS - We Prepare our hearts and minds for worship CALL TO WORSHIP WELCOME PREPARATION OPENING HYMN “Blessed Jesus, at Your Word”
LSB 904
Blessed Jesus, at Your Word We are gathered all to hear You. Let our hearts and souls be stirred Now to seek and love and fear You, By Your teachings, sweet and holy, Drawn from earth to love You solely. All our knowledge, sense, and sight Lie in deepest darkness shrouded Till Your Spirit breaks our night With the beams of truth unclouded. You alone to God can win us; You must work all good within us. Gracious Savior, good and kind, Light of Light, from God proceeding, Open now our heart and mind; Help us by Your Spirit’s pleading, Hear the cry Your Church now raises; Hear and bless our prayers and praises. Father, Son, and Spirit, Lord, Praise to You and adoration! Grant that we may trust Your Word, Confident of our Salvation, While we here below must wander, Till we sing Your praises yonder. (Please Stand) INVOCATION Pastor: People:
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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OPENING SENTENCES Pastor: People:
Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. [Psalm 119:105]
Pastor: People:
These things are written that you may believe That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God [John 20:31]
Pastor: People:
Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so! [LSB 588] CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Pastor: People:
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Pastor: People:
If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness; therefore You are feared.
Pastor:
Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
People:
Pastor:
People:
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. SERVICE OF THE WORD
SERMON SERIES HYMN “God Has Spoken by His Prophets” God has spoken by His Prophets, Spoken His unchanging Word; Each from age to age proclaiming God, the one, the righteous Lord. In the world’s despair and turmoil, One firm anchor holds us fast; God is king, His throne eternal; God the first, and God the Last. God is speaking by His Spirit, Speaking to our hearts again, In the ageless Word declaring His own message, now as then. Through the rise and fall of nations One sure faith yet standing fast; God abides, His Word unchanging; God the first, and God the last. SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY Pastor: People:
The Lord be with you. And also with you. 2
LSB 583, v. 1 & 3
Pastor: People:
Let us pray. O Lord, grant us wisdom to recognize the treasures You have stored up for us in heaven, where Your Son is seated at Your right hand. Help us to find purpose in our labor and joy in Your promise to always be with us;
Pastor:
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
People:
(Please Be Seated) FIRST READING Acts 12:21-24 [21] On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. [22] And the people were shouting, "The voice of a god, and not of a man!" [23] Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. [24] But the word of God increased and multiplied. Reader: People:
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. EPISTLE Colossians 3:1–11 (Life in Christ changes our priorities.)
[1] If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. [5] Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. [6] On account of these the wrath of God is coming. [7] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. [8] But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. [9] Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. [11] Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Reader: People:
This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
(Please Stand) ALLELUIA and VERSE
LSB 205
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. HOLY GOSPEL Luke 12:13–21 (Jesus warns us of the devastating power of greed.) Pastor: People:
The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the twelfth chapter. Glory to You, O Lord. 3
[13] Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." [14] But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" [15] And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." [16] And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, [17] and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' [18] And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' [20] But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' [21] So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God." Pastor: People:
This is the Gospel of Lord. Praise to You, O Christ. APOSTLES’ CREED
LSB 207
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. (Please Be Seated) CHILDREN’S MESSAGE “Jesus Loves Me This I Know” LSB 588 Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong. Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
HYMN OF THE DAY “O God of God, O Light of Light”
LSB 810
O God of God, O Light of Light, O Prince of Peace and King of kings: To You in heaven’s glory bright The song of praise forever rings. To Him who sits upon the throne, The Lamb once slain but raised again, Be all the glory He has won, all thanks and praise! Amen, amen. For deep in prophets’ sacred page, and grand in poets’ winged word, Slowly in type, from age to age The nations saw their coming Lord; Till through the deep Judean night Rang out the song, “Good-will to men!” Sung once by firstborn sons of light, It echoes now, “Good-will!” Amen. That life of truth, those deeds of love, that death so steeped in hate and scorn– These all are past, and now above He reigns, our King once crowned with thorn. Life up your heads, O might gates! So sang that host beyond our ken. Lift up your heads, your King awaits. We lift them up. Amen, amen. 4
Ten raise to Christ a mighty song, and shout His name, His mercies tell! Sing, heav’nly host, your praise prolong, and all on earth, your anthem swell! All hail, O Lamb for sinners slain! Forever let the song ascend! Worthy the Lamb, enthroned to reign, all glory, pow’r! Amen, amen. SERMON “Death by Worms” Acts 12:21-24 (Please Stand) PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Pastor:
People: Pastor: People: Pastor: People: Pastor: People: Pastor: People:
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs. For the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, that we may share the gifts of our Savior in the work we do in His name, let us pray to the Lord. Grant us wisdom. Grant us purpose. Fill us with Your joy. For all pastors, teachers, missionaries, and other servants of the Church, that their work in the harvest field may bring great joy, let us pray to the Lord. Grant us wisdom. Grant us purpose. Fill us with Your joy. For our congregation, that we may work together in unity for the sake of Christ and His mission, let us pray to the Lord. Grant us wisdom. Grant us purpose. Fill us with Your joy. For all our public servants, including the members of our military, that the Lord would work to defend them as they work to defend us, let us pray to the Lord. Grant us wisdom. Grant us purpose. Fill us with Your joy. For all who are ailing in heart, mind, and body, [especially . . .], that they may know the healing work of Jesus in body, mind, and spirit, let us pray to the Lord. Grant us wisdom. Grant us purpose. Fill us with Your joy.
(Special Petitions) Pastor:
For these and all other concerns we have, that coming before the throne of grace, we may find mercy to help us in every type of need, let us pray to the Lord. People: Grant us wisdom. Grant us purpose. Fill us with Your joy. Amen. (Please Be Seated) GATHERING OF OFFERINGS (Please Stand) OFFERTORY “God’s Word Is Our Heritage” God’s Word is our great heritage And shall be ours forever; To spread its light from age to age Shall be our chief endeavor. Through life it guides our way, In death it is our stay. Lord, grant, while worlds endure, We keep its teachings pure Throughout all generations. 5
LSB 582
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT PREFACE Pastor: People:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Pastor: People:
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Pastor: People:
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
PROPER PREFACE Pastor:
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, for the countless blessings You so freely bestow on us and all creation. Above all, we give thanks for Your boundless love shown to us when You sent Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to accomplish the work of our salvation, dying our death upon Calvary’s cross that we might not die eternally. Because of His saving work, we find purpose in our work. Because of His salvation, we rejoice in Your presence. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:
SANCTUS — Holy, Holy, Holy Isaiah 6:3; Matthew 21:9
LSB 208
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Sabaoth adored; Heav’n and earth with full acclaim shout the glory of Your name. Sing hosanna in the highest, sing hosanna to the Lord; Truly blest is He who comes in the name of the Lord! THE LORD’S PRAYER Pastor:
LSB 209
Hear us as we pray in His name as He has taught us:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. THE WORDS OF OUR LORD PAX DOMINI — The Peace of the Lord Pastor: People:
LSB 209 John 20:19
The peace of the Lord be with you always. Amen.
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LSB 209
AGNUS DEI — Lamb of God John 1:29
LSB 210
O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, You take the sin of the world away; O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, Have mercy on us, Lord, we pray. O Jesus Christ, true Lamb of God, You take the sin of the world away; Have mercy on us, Jesus Christ, And grant us peace, O Lord, we pray. (Please Be Seated) DISTRIBUTION HYMNS “Praise and Thanksgiving”
LSB 789
Praise and thanksgiving, Father, we offer For all things living, Created good: Harvest of sown fields, Fruits of the orchard, Hay from the mown fields, Blossom and wood. Bless, Lord, the labor We bring to serve You That with our neighbor We may be fed. Sowing or tilling, We would work with You, Harvesting, milling For daily bread. Father, providing Food for Your children, By Your wise guiding Teach us to share One with another, So that, rejoicing With us, all others May know Your care. “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
LSB 461
I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives, who once was dead; He lives, my everliving 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, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend; He lives and loves me to the end: He lives, and while He lives, I’ll sing: He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King. He lives and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death; He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there. 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! (Please Stand) 7
THE DOXOLOGY “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
LSB 805
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host: Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. BENEDICAMUS and BENEDICTION Psalm 103:1 Pastor: People:
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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 peace. Numbers 6:24-26 Amen.
People:
CLOSING HYMN “Christ Be My Leader”
LSB 461
Christ be my Leader by night as by day; Safe through the darkness, for He is the way. Gladly I follow, my future His care, darkness is daylight when Jesus is there. Christ be my Teacher in age as in youth, Drifting or doubting, for He is the truth. Grant me to trust Him; though shifting as sand, Doubt cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand. Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife; Death cannot hold me, for He is the life. Nor darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain Can touch my salvation; with Jesus I reign. POSTLUDE Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series C, Part 3. Copyright © 2016 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Text ©2015 Ascension Lutheran Church. Used by permission. LSBHymnLicense.net #100012046
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