st. john’s evangelical - st. john's...
TRANSCRIPT
St. John’s Evangelical
Lutheran Church
Welcome to our visitors!
It is our hope and prayer that the message you hear today from God’s Word
will fill your heart with the peace that only God can offer and the joy we have in
knowing that Jesus Christ is our Savior from sin.
Large print service folders are available from an usher.
Worship Notes
Altar flowers are placed by Erik & Julie Campbell in celebration of their 20th
wedding anniversary and in thanks for blessings received.
We thank the following for serving as St. John’s 2015-16 Sunday School
teachers: Lisa Rouse, Amanda Hansen & Emily Hedden (K3); Anne Henne &
Amy Stauffer (K4); Lisa Festerling & Katie Gnat (K5); Becky Rehborg (Grades
1-2); Kurt Kostrzewa (Grades 3-4); Ned & Dawn Farley (Grades 5-7); Brian &
Tracey Lampe (Teens). Substitutes: Katie Chavez, Kim Dvorachek, Julie
Handeland, Elizabeth Sipe. Superintendent: Mark Gaub.
We thank the following for serving as St. John’s 2015-2016 Chinese teachers:
Mary Groth and Kurt Meingast.
In Our Prayers
Ernst Lehninger hospitalized at Froedtert and Paul Grant hospitalized this past
week at St. Luke’s.
Unity Sunday
September 13, 2015
A quick scan of the gymnasium this morning reveals the many differences among the members of
St. John’s. Some are young; others are only young at heart. Some work in offices; others work in
factories. For many, English is their first and only language; others are more comfortable speaking
Mandarin. In spite of these differences and all the things that could separate and divide us, we stand
united. As Christians, we are united by a common faith and we share a common goal. And we gather
for worship on this special occasion to celebrate the unity that is ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
Prelude
Opening Hymn Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Please stand to sing the final stanza setting by Robert J. Powell
C: Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!
C: Praise him for his grace and favor to our forebears in distress.
Praise him, still the same forever, slow to chide and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Glorious is his faithfulness!
Choir: Tenderly he shields and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows.
In his hands he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Widely yet his mercy flows.
C: Angels, help us to adore him, who behold him face to face.
Sun and moon bow down before him; all who dwell in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise with us the God of grace.
M: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy
Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
pg. 4
DIALOGUE OF PRAISE
M: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
C: O Lord our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. You have set your glory
above the heavens.
M: Give thanks to the Lord of lords, to him who alone does great wonders, who by his
understanding made the heavens, who spread out the earth upon the waters, who made the
great lights – the sun to govern the day, the moon and stars to govern the night.
C: Great is the Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.
M: But our iniquities have separated us from our God; our sins have hidden his face from us so
that he will not hear. We look for light, but all is darkness. We look for brightness, but we
walk in deep shadows. We look for deliverance, but it is far away.
C: For our offenses are many in his sight, and our sins testify against us. Our offenses are
ever with us, and we acknowledge our sins.
M: The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. He will not
always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever. He does not treat us as our sins deserve or
repay us according to our iniquities.
C: From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be
praised.
pg. 5
Prayer of the Day
M: Let us pray:
Lord of the Church, you have united us in faith and worship to make disciples of all nations
and to nurture believers for lives of Christian service. Guide our leaders and help them fulfill
their responsibilities with patience and understanding. Keep this congregation faithful to your
Word that in unity and peace it may proclaim one truth and follow one Lord: your Son, our
Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
forever.
C: Amen.
Be seated
Children’s Choir Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord
by Deborah Holden-Holloway
Come, let us sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord,
Bring to the Lord our adoration.
All hills and valleys rejoice, lift up your voice, sing to the Lord.
All that on earth can sing, praise your King,
pg. 6
Praise the Lord of all creation!
Come, let us sing, sing, sing to the Lord.
For the Lord, our God,
Creator, master, savior, teacher, friend
Is with us now and always;
Let us praise the Lord evermore,
Praise the Lord forevermore!
Come, let us sing to the Lord, sing to the Lord,
Bring to the Lord our adoration.
All hills and valleys rejoice, lift up your voice, sing to the Lord.
All that on earth can sing, praise your King,
Praise the Lord of all creation!
Come, let us sing, sing, sing to the Lord!
THE WORD
First Lesson Isaiah 42:8-13
Isaiah reminds us that as believers, we are united under God.
“I am the LORD; that is my name!
I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.
See, the former things have taken place,
and new things I declare;
before they spring into being I announce them to you.”
Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
you islands, and all who live in them.
Let the desert and its towns raise their voices;
let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice.
Let the people of Sela sing for joy;
let them shout from the mountaintops.
Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands.
The LORD will march out like a mighty man,
like a warrior he will stir up his zeal;
with a shout he will raise the battle cry
and will triumph over his enemies.
pg. 7
Adult Choir & Congregation In Unity and Peace
by James J. Chepponis
Choir: Refrain
C: Refrain
Choir: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, agree in ev’rything you say.
May there be no divisions among you, but be united in one mind.
For there is one Lord, one faith, one God of us all.
C: Refrain
Choir: Live a life that is worthy of your call, be humble, gentle, and patient.
Bear with each other in ways that are loving, preserve the unity of faith.
For there is one Lord, one faith, one God of us all.
C: Refrain
Choir: Share the love that has joined us as one, unite in spirit and ideals.
Never be rivals, do not be conceited, but look to others in their need.
For there is one Lord, one faith, one God of us all.
C: Refrain
pg. 8
Second Lesson Ephesians 4:1-6
Paul reminds us of the source of our unity.
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to
keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you
were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father
of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Combined Choirs Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep
arranged by August Stellhorn
Jesus, Shepherd of the sheep, who thy Father’s flock dost keep,
Safe we wake and safe we sleep, guarded still by thee.
In thy promise firm we stand; none can pluck us from thy hand,
Speak – we hear – at thy command, we will follow thee.
By thy blood our souls were bought, by thy life salvation wrought,
By thy light our feet are taught, Lord, to follow thee.
Father, draw us to thy Son; we with joy will follow on,
Till the work of grace is done, and from sin set free.
We in robes of glory dressed, join th’assembly of the blest,
Gathered to eternal rest in the fold with thee.
Please stand
Gospel Lesson John 3:14-17
Jesus reminds us that he is the center of our unity.
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone
who believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but
to save the world through him.”
Be seated
pg. 9
Chinese Choir & Congregation As the Deer
Chinese Hymnal 402
Choir: As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after you.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
I want you more than gold or silver, only you can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy giver and the apple of my eye.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
C: You’re my friend and you’re my Father even though you are my King.
I love you more than any other, so much more than anything.
You alone are my strength, my shield, to you alone will my spirit yield.
You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship you.
Hymn of the Day The Church’s One Foundation (see pg. 13)
Christian Worship 538
Sermon Ephesians 4:1-6
Unity Comes from Sacrifice
Please stand
Apostles’ Creed
C: I 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.
pg. 10
Be seated
Offering
The members of St. John’s have joined together to do the Lord’s work in our community
and around the world, and our offerings are a joyful response of our faith. If you are a
visitor today, you are welcome but not obligated to give an offering.
Adult Handbell Choir Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow
arranged by Ron Mallory
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!
Installation of Sunday School and Chinese teachers
Please stand
Prayer of the Church
M: Our God in heaven, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank you for the precious Christian
fellowship we are now enjoying in your name.
C: We thank you for the privilege of worshiping you, the true and only God.
M: Heavenly Father, give us all a sincere longing to assemble in your name, to worship you, and
to be edified by the preaching and teaching of your Word.
C: We thank you for the privilege of hearing your Word by which we grow in faith toward a
better understanding of your love.
M: Lord Jesus Christ, help us to cling to you in true faith as our Savior and Lord.
C: We thank you for loving us and redeeming us from our sins with your own precious
blood.
pg. 11
M: Holy Spirit, open our hearts to the Word of truth spoken here today. Cause us to mature in our
faith and give us a deeper love for our God and for one another.
C: We thank you for giving us the grace to praise you continually with our whole lives. Give
us a desire only for those things which are righteous and good.
M: Lord God, grant us the gifts of patience, kindness, and gentleness that we may help family and
neighbor, that we may be forgiving, and that we may live in peace with all people.
C: We thank you for bringing us together to lift our voices in praise. Bless us as we glorify
you and comfort and strengthen one another.
M: We thank you for this opportunity to gather around your Word as one Christian family. Let
your kingdom come to us and others, so that we and many more might join the assembly of
saints and angels to sing your praise forever.
C: Savior of all, hear our prayer and help us in our mission. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
C: Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and forever. Amen.
Be seated
Hymn How Firm a Foundation (see pg. 14)
Christian Worship Supplement 768
pg. 12
Please stand
M: God our Father, your Son Jesus prayed that his followers might be one. Make your Church
one with him as he is one with you, so that in unity and peace we may carry the message of
your love to the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with
gladness.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among
yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C: Amen.
Be seated
Closing Hymn Go, My Children, with My Blessing (see pg. 16)
Christian Worship 332
Announcements
Postlude
Following the service, refreshments will be served in the commons area.
pg. 13
pg. 14
pg. 15
pg. 16
pg. 17
Serving at Worship
Preacher Pastor Kyle Bitter
Presiding Minister Pastor Joel Leyrer
Lectors Pastor Eric Schroeder
Pastor Joshua Yu
Pianist Lynn Kozlowski
Adult Choir Director Dr. William Braun
Children’s Choir Director Terry Buske
Handbell Choir Director Kristi Meyer
Head Ushers Mark Naumann & Matt Bahr
Acknowledgements
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” Text and tune public domain.
“Jesus, Shepherd of the Sheep” Text public domain.
“The Church’s One Foundation” Text and tune public domain.
“Praise God, From Whom All Blessings Flow” Text public domain.
“How Firm a Foundation” Text and tune public domain.
Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-709971, all rights reserved
“Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven” Text © 1985 Church Publishing, Inc.
“Come, Let Us Sing to the Lord” Text © 1995 Selah Publishing Co., Inc.
”In Unity and Peace” Text and tune © 1997 GIA Publications, Inc.
“Go, My Children, with My Blessing” Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House. Tune public
domain.
Reprinted under CCLI #11141903, all rights reserved
“As the Deer” Text © 1984 Brentwood Benson Publishing.
pg. 18
Sunday Bible Classes New Sunday Bible Classes and Sunday School begin next Sunday at 9:15 AM.
A staffed nursery is available during Bible class.
The Life of Abraham
Taught by Prof. Bill Tackmier (Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary)
in the Fellowship Hall
Abraham, who lived 2,000 years before Jesus, is in many ways similar to us, who live 2,000 years after
Jesus. He experienced many of the same issues, doubts, fears, and challenges that we do and was
sustained by many of the same promises of a Savior that we rely on. This study will focus on the book
of Genesis, chapters 12-25.
Astronomy, the Church, and the Calendar
Taught by Dr. Kerry Kuehn (Wisconsin Lutheran College)
in the School Lecture Room
Did you know that until the nineteenth century, the church was the single largest supporter of
astronomical research? Or that astronomy played an important part in the educational system of the
Lutheran reformers during the 16th century? Why have Christians like Copernicus and Kepler been so
interested – and influential – in the development of astronomy? In this six-week bible class, we will
explore the relationship between astronomy and the church – and how Christians have wrestled with
astronomical problems from ancient to modern times.
The Wonders of God – Bible Information Class
Taught by the Pastoral Staff
in the St. Matthew’s Room
This course provides a general overview of the Bible, touches upon every major Christine doctrine, and
supplies a solid understanding of what we confess and believe as a confessional Lutheran Church.
Since it provides the foundation for a deeper relationship with God, we encourage both members and
non-members to attend. Please note there will also be some week-night evening classes.
pg. 19
Readings for the Week of Pentecost 16
M Proverbs 30:4-9…..………………………………………. 1 Timothy 4:4-8
T 1 Timothy 6:6-12a…….….………………………………. Luke 16:9-13
W 1 Corinthians 7:20-24…………………………………….. Acts 27:20-37
TH 1 Kings 17:1-6……………………………………………. 1 Thessalonians 2:9-12
F John 4:31-38……………………………………………… 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12
S Luke 6:20-26………………………………………………Revelation 22:1-5