Holy Scripture Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Redeemer Lives!He lives to rule all things for the Church.

AscensionMay 28, 2017

8811 Kinnerk RoadFort Wayne, Indiana 46819

(260) 478-1717www.holyscripturefw.org

Pastor Nathanael Brenner Worship: Sundays at 9:30am(262) 302-9324 Bible Class & Sunday School:

brennernj@gmail.com Sundays at 11am

Welcome to Holy Scripture. We want everyone to feel at home here in God’s home. Ushers and members will

be glad to answer any questions. If you are unfamiliar with the order of worship, feel free to ask the person next to you for help. Restrooms are located through the double doors east of the main foyer. Phones are located in either the pastor’s or the secretary’s office. Assisted Listening Devices and large print bulletins & hymnals are available from the deacons upon request.

We encourage family worship at Holy Scripture, so we hope you will bring your little ones into church with you. Quiet bags for preschool age children are available in the foyer. If they become restless or noisy, a cry room is available off of the entry way, or you may prefer to quiet them in the church fellowship hall where a closed circuit video of the service is available.

Luther on Jesus' Ascension Takes Away FearIn the second Psalm, verses 7 and 8, we read that God says to Christ: “Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possessions.” Here you see again that Christ is appointed of God a Lord over all the earth. Now, if he is my friend and I am persuaded that he died for me and gave me all things and for my sake sits in heaven and watches over me, who then can do

ought to me? Or if any man should do ought, what harm can come of it? (Luther’s Works, Weinmar Edition, Vol 11 p. 931)

Presiding Minister: Pastor Nathanael Brenner

The Accompanist: Jenn Brenner

Hymns: 171 vs. 1-4 173 170 171 vs. 5-6

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Divine Service IIOPENING HYMN – #171 vs. 1-4 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing

INVOCATIONM: In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

CONFESSION

M: Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

C: Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin.For faithless worrying and selfish pride,For sins of habit and sins of choice,For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do,

You should cast me away from your presence forever.O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.

ABSOLUTION

M: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In his great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant: I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY Mark 10:47M: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.

For the well-being of all people everywhere, that they may receive from you all they need to sustain body and life, hear our prayer, O Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy.M: For the spread of your life-giving gospel throughout the world, that all who are

lost in sin may be brought to faith in you, hear our prayer, O Christ.C: Christ, have mercy.

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M: For patience and perseverance in this life, that we may not lose the hope of heaven as we await your return, hear our prayer, O Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy.M: Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you.C: Amen.

GLORY BY TO GOD (sung to the tune of hymn #152 I Know that My Redeemer Lives)1 All glory be to God on high!

Your name, O Lord, we glorify;We praise you for your peace and grace,Your favor toward our fallen race.

2 Our grateful thanks to you we bring,For your great glory, heav’nly King,For all, O Father, you have doneThrough Jesus Christ, your only Son.

3 O Lamb of God, to you we pray.You take all human sin away.Have mercy, Lord; receive our prayer; From God’s right hand, your mercy share.

4 You, Christ, are holy—Lord alone;The Father’s glory you made known.We by your Spirit sing again:“All glory be to God!” Amen.

THE WORDSALUTATION

M: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.

PRAYER OF THE DAYM: Let us pray:

Almighty God, your Son our Savior was taken up in glory and intercedes for us at your right hand. Through your living and abiding Word, give us hearts to know him and faith to follow where he has gone; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.3

THE FIRST LESSON – Esther 6No matter the evil plans of men, God’s providential care for his Church cannot be

thwarted.That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles,

the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. 2 It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes.

3 “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. 4 The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer

court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him.

5 His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. 6 When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man

the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor

than me?” 7 So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, 8

have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. 9 Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’”

10 “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.”

11 So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

12 Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, 13 and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him.

His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely come to ruin!” 14 While they were still talking with him, the king’s eunuchs arrived and hurried Haman away to the banquet Esther had prepared.

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PSALM – Psalm 47 sung responsively by verse

We praise the Lord for ruling for the good of his Church.

Clap your hands, all you nations;*shout to God with cries of joy.

How awesome is the LORD Most High,*the great King over all the earth!

God reigns over the nations;*God is seated on his holy throne.

Refrain

God has ascended amid shouts of joy,*the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.

Sing praises to God, sing praises;*sing praises to our King, sing praises.

For God is the King of all the earth;*sing to him a psalm of praise.

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.

Refrain

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THE SECOND LESSON – Colossians 3:1-4With hearts and minds set on things above, the Church journeys on in hope that cannot be shaken.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

VERSE OF THE DAYAlleluia. Alleluia. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Alleluia. (John 14:23)

GOSPEL LESSON – Luke 24:44-53M: The Gospel according to Luke chapter twenty-four. C: Glory be to you, O Lord.

Christ reveals their earthly mission to his disciples before he ascends to heaven.44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:

Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on

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the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

CHILDRENS' MESSAGE

HYMN OF THE DAY - #173 On Christ's Ascension I Now Build

SERMON – Luke 24:44-53

Keep on Celebrating the Lord's Ascension!

THE APOSTLES’ CREEDI believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

From there 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.

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THE OFFERING Holy Scripture’s ministries are supported by the joyful gifts of her members. If you are not a member of Holy Scripture, please do not feel obligated to give an offering. It is our privilege and pleasure to serve you with God’s Word today.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCHM: Blessed Jesus, you ascended to the right hand of your Father’s majesty, power,

and glory and now reign as eternal King of kings and Lord of lords.C: We praise you for your victory over sin, death, Satan, and hell.M: O ascended Prophet, equip your Church to proclaim the precious gospel

message of God’s love for all the world.C: Give courage to our hearts, power to our words, and success to our efforts.M: O ascended High Priest, represent us before the Father as his own dear children

and heirs. Defend us against Satan’s every accusation. Ask for the Father’s rich blessings in our everyday lives.

C: Plead for his mercy and grace on our behalf.M: O ascended King, direct the affairs of governments and nations that they may

serve the best interest of your Church.C: You are our Lord, Master, and King.Special prayers and intercessions may follow.M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.Silent prayer.M: As the disciples lifted their eyes to watch your ascension, so lift our eyes daily

to look for your coming again in glory.C: Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.

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THE LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13C: 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.

HYMN - #170 Draw Us to Thee

PRAYERM: Blessed Lord, you have given us your Holy Scriptures for our learning. May

we so hear them, read, learn, and take them to heart, that being strengthened and comforted by your Holy Word, we may cling to the blessed hope of everlasting life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: (spoken) Amen.

BLESSING Numbers 6:24-26M: The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.

C: (spoken) Amen.

CLOSING HYMN #171 vs. 5,6 A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing The WELS Connection will be shown following the hymn

Scripture portions taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, © 1984 by International Bible Society, used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.Divine Service II - Confession and Absolution Text: © 2008, Northwestern Publishing House; Glory Be to God Text: Stephen P. Starke © 2006, Concordia/Starke; General Verse Text and Music: Dale A Witte © 2005 - Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission, under OneLicence.net, #A-713274.PSALM 47 Refrain Tune: Dale Wood. From Seasonal Psalms. © 1978 Augsburg Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. under OneLicence.net, #A-713274.

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Guests We are pleased that you could worship with us today. Please do us the honor of signing our guest book. We pray that you have been blessed by the service today and that you will come again,

often!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Open Forum: Since we only began our discussion on our long-range goals, we will be holding another open forum Sunday June 4th after our 19-min Bible study. We will discuss until noon and no later. If need be we will hold another open forum the following week Sunday June 11. Please set aside this little bit of time on your Sunday to give your input on the future direction of our church.No VBS: Our evangelism committee decided that it would be best not to host a VBS this year. For now there are better ways of outreach that day less time and fewer volunteers and resources. We will revisit the possibility of hosting VBS next year.Mornings with Mommy: The last month or two you've been hearing about our new program Mornings with Mommy that Jenn Brenner is directing. Our first session was held this morning and went very well. The next session is Thursday ,   June 8  at 10am. Please keep an eye out for the sign-up for this session.Every Member Visit Sign-up: Please sign up for a time to meet with Pastor this summer. Pastor would like at least an hour of your time to see how you are doing and how he can best serve you. The sign-up sheet can be found on the table by the church office. There is a calendar for May-Aug. Please sign up for either afternoon or evening (whichever works best) in the non-blocked off times. Pastor is not asking anyone to invite him to lunch or dinner, but only to meet for an hour or so.

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Financial Update: Our offering goal for 2017 is $106,661.28Week Ending 5/27/17: Through 6/30/17:Weekly Need: $2,051.18 Fiscal Year-to-date Need: $92,267.10Actual: $3,006.00 Fiscal Year-to-date Actual: $101,988.90Weekly +/-: +$ 954.82 Fiscal Year-to-date +/-: +$9,721.80Maintenance: $440

Servants of the WordDate Reader Signboard Mowing5/28 Brenner Holly, Melissa Tom H., David K.6/4 Kenyon Adam, Lauren Galantys6/11 Hansel Kyle, Colin Crums6/18 Rittmeyer Holly, Melissa Tod L. & Tony R.6/25 Brenner Adam, Lauren John M. & Mike D.

Mowing responsibility is for the end of the week.Schedule for the Week

Sunday 5/28

8:30 A.M. choir practice9:30 A.M. Worship with Communion10:30 A.M. fellowship and snacksno Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

Tuesday: 5/30 4:00 P.M. Kingston Worship Service7:00 P.M. Evangelism – July 4th planning meeting

Wednesday: 5/31 6:30 P.M. Wednesday Bible Study Lessons from Luther Yesterday and Today

Saturday: 6/3 7:00 A.M. Men’s Bible Breakfast at Renaissance Restaurant

Next Sunday 6/4

8:30 A.M. choir practice9:30 A.M. Worship10:30 A.M. fellowship and snacks11:00 A.M. Sunday School & Adult Bible Class, The Bloodstained Path to God

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