1

September 13, 2015

9:00 am

Today we celebrate God’s everlasting love for us in Jesus as we “kick off” educational ministry opportunities

here at Grace of God. The cross is a sign of God’s everlasting love and in our Gospel today Jesus invites us to

take up that cross and follow him where his love leads us! Let’s go together!

Small children are welcome in worship

“Busy bags” for young children are available in the classroom adjacent to the worship space near the doors.

That room also has a speaker to hear the worship service.

______________________________________ ______________________________________

Welcome

Confession and Forgiveness (stand and face the processional cross)

Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen

(Silence for reflection and self-examination.)

2

People: I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before God of all sins. I have lived as if God did not matter

and as if I mattered most. I have not honored my Lord's name as I should; my worship

and prayers have faltered. I have not been thoroughly persuaded by His love for me, and

so my love for others has failed. There are those whom I have hurt and those whom I

have failed to help. My thoughts and desires are soiled with sin. I am sorry for all my sins

and I seek grace and forgiveness.

Pastor: 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 announce the forgiveness

of all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Processional Hymn “Earth and All Stars”

Stanza 1 – all

Stanza 2 – women and

girls

Stanza 3 – all

Stanza 4 – men and

boys

Stanza 5, 6 – all

3

Greeting

Pastor: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

People: And also with you.

Kyrie (Kyrie, eleison means “O Lord, have mercy”)

All sing:

Leader: For peace in the world, for the health of the church, for the unity of all;

for this holy house, for all who worship and praise,

let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord

All sing: refrain

Leader: That we may live out your impassioned response to the hungry and the poor;

that we may live out truth and justice and grace,

let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord

All sing: refrain

Leader: For peace in our hearts, for peace in our homes, for friends and family;

for life and for love, for our work and our play,

let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord

All sing: refrain

Leader: For your Spirit to guide; that you center our lives in the water and the Word;

that you nourish our souls with your body and blood,

let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord

All sing: refrain

4

Hymn of Praise “This is the feast . . .” (Leader sings verses; ALL sing refrain)

5

Prayer of the Day

Pastor: Let us pray.

All: O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of

the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we may turn from

the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and

Lord. Amen.

______________________________________ _____________________________________

First Reading Jeremiah 31:1-6

At that time, says the Lord, I will be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. 2 Thus says the Lord:

The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness;

when Israel sought for rest, 3 the Lord appeared to him from far away.

I have loved you with an everlasting love;

therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. 4 Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel!

Again you shall take your tambourines, and go forth in the dance of the merrymakers. 5 Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria;

the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit. 6 For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim:

“Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God.”

Lector: Word of God, Word of Life.

People: Thanks be to God.

Song “I Have Loved You”

Leader: refrain

All: refrain

Leader: Seek the face of the Lord and long for him; He will bring you his light and his peace.

All: refrain

Leader: Seek the face of the Lord and long for him: He will bring you his joy and his hope.

All: refrain

Leader: Seek the face of the Lord and long for him; He will bring you his care and his love.

All: refrain

6

Children’s Message

Alleluia Verse

Holy Gospel Mark 8:27-38

Pastor: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 8th chapter.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of

Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples,

“Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered

him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others,

one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do

you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the

Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell

anyone about him.

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man

must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the

elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed,

and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite

openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke

him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked

Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are

setting your mind not on divine things but on human

things.”

34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to

them, “If any want to become my followers, let them

deny themselves and take up their cross and follow

me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it,

and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the

sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit

them to gain the whole world and forfeit their

life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their

life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in

this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of

Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of

his Father with the holy angels.”

Pastor: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, O Christ.

7

Hymn “Take Up Your Cross”

Sermon

Apostles’ Creed

All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Blessing of Volunteer Teachers and Leaders

Prayers

(Response to each petition)

Pastor: Lord, in your mercy,

People: Hear our prayer.

Sharing of the Peace

Pastor: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

People: And also with you.

8

Offering

Offertory Prayer

Pastor: Let us pray.

People: Blessed are you, O God, ruler of heaven and earth. Day by day you shower us with

blessings. As you have raised us to new life in Christ, give us glad and generous hearts,

ready to praise you and to respond to those in need, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and

Lord. Amen

__________________________________ __________________________________

Thanksgiving at the Table

Pastor: Holy God, you alone are holy, you alone are God.

The universe declares your praise:

beyond the stars; beneath the sea;

within each cell; with every breath.

People: We praise you, O God.

Pastor: We give you thanks for your dear Son:

at the heart of human life; near to those who suffer;

beside the sinner; among the poor; with us now.

People: We thank you, O God.

Pastor: In the night in which he was betrayed,

our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying:

This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

Do this for the remembrance of me.

Remembering his love for us, we proclaim the mystery of our faith:

People: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Pastor: We pray for the gift of your Spirit:

in our gathering; within this meal;

among your people; throughout the world.

Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus,

by your Spirit, in your church, without end.

All: Amen

Lord’s Prayer

All: 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

9

Agnus Dei “Lamb of God”

Communion Distribution

Scripture says, “Whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” 1

Corinthians 11:26. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism says, “Holy Communion is the true body and blood of our

Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for us Christians to eat and drink.” All

baptized Christians who have been instructed in this confession of faith and who share our belief in the real

presence of Christ in the sacrament for the forgiveness of sins are invited to the Lord’s Table today. Children who

have not received their first communion are invited to As you approach the table down the center aisle, receive an

empty cup from the cart.

Proceed to the left or the right and gather around the altar.

After each gathered group has communed, they are dismissed in peace.

As you return to your seat down the side aisles, place your cup in the racks on the tables to your left or right.

Non-alcoholic wine is offered pre-filled cups for those who cannot drink alcohol. These cups are marked in the rack.

Gluten-free (and dairy-free and nut-free) wafers are offered in the small white bowl on the communion cart for those who

prefer this option.

10

Distribution Songs “Be Unto Your Name”

“Take My Life and Let it Be”

11

_____________________________________ ____________________________________

Dismissal

Pastor: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and keep us in his grace.

People: Amen

Thanksgiving Prayer

Pastor: Let us pray.

O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son. By

your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

People: Amen.

Blessing

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.

People: Amen

Pastor: Go in peace. Christ lives in you.

People: Thanks be to God.

Closing Hymn “Build Us Up” (next page)

Worship leader and Preacher Jon Marxhausen

Elder Paul Hartleben

Piano Mary Dinesen

Lector Sally Warren

Ushers Matt Onken and Byron Epland

Greeter Jim and Jan Roth

Acolyte/Crucifer Jacob Fahey

Let’s all reach out to one another with the grace of God and the everlasting love of Christ!

Thank you for worshipping with us today.

Please fill out a welcome card and place it in the basket on the table in the entryway.

Help yourself to a welcome packet that will tell you more about the ministry at Grace of God.

You are always welcome at Grace of God!

12

Closing Hymn “Build Us Up”

13

An independent Lutheran Congregation

420 Hayward Ave. North Oakdale, MN 55128

651.730.4900

Email: grace@graceofgodlutheran.com

www.graceofgodlutheran.com

www.facebook.com/graceofgodlutheran

Jon Marxhausen, Pastor

KICK-OFF SUNDAY 2015

SERVICE PROJECT

(school kits for Lutheran World Relief) will be assembled in the PRINCE OF PEACE ROOM after worship

Lunch will be served! (grilled hamburgers and fixin’s)

ALL ARE WELCOME!

GRACE OF GOD MISSION STATEMENT

Grace of God is a Christ-centered community gathered around Word and Sacrament,

preaching Christ crucified, serving our neighbor and

discovering what it means to live under the grace of God.

14

GRACE GROUPS Growing in Christ together Grace Groups make up the small group ministry at Grace of God. Groups of 8-12 people meet together monthly or bi-monthly to study God’s Word, enjoy fellowship and pray. Grace Groups are for adults of all ages, single or married. Each group has a leader who facilities the group gatherings and provides general organization and

leadership for the group. Other group members may lead a prepared Bible study, host the gatherings in their homes or provide a simple treat for the fellowship time. Groups determine when and

where they will meet and share leadership responsibilities.

These groups have been a tremendous blessing in our congregation and have provided a place of Christian friendship, love and support. And they are fun! Great things

happen when we come together! All are welcome to participate! (Please note: you do not need to be a member of Grace of God to be in a Grace Group)

Being a faithful member of your group and attending the gatherings is the

most important thing you can do in a Grace Group. IF you are willing to participate in some of the other aspects of the group such as serving as a group

leader, occasionally leading a prepared Bible study, hosting the group or providing a treat, you can indicate that on the response card. These shared responsibilities

strengthen the group and are completely voluntary for group members.

FILL OUT A CARD TODAY and PLACE IT IN THE BASKET IN THE ENTRYWAY.

SERVING IN WORSHIP

DATE ELDER ACOLYTE LECTOR USHERS GREETERS

9/13/2015 Paul

Hartleben Jacob Fahey Sally Warren

Matt Onken and Byron

Epland Jim and Jan Roth

9/20/2015 Paul

Hartleben Parker McMorrow Brenda Miller

Randy Henderson Tom

Schoenberg

Dean and Gail

Christenson

9/27/2015 Paul

Hartleben Ethan Onken Roger Prigge Darrel and David Smith

Martha and Tom

Kaufenberg

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE

Attendance (9/6) .............................................................. 64

General Fund Offering ....................................... $5485.00

Year-to-date Offerings .................................. $169,729.34

Year-to-date Budget ...................................... $186,084.00

CLEANING CREW SCHEDULE

Sept. 17-19

TEAM 4

Roxanne Cleary/Jeff & Jill Olofson Allen &

Sally Warren

Sept. 24-26

TEAM 5

Randy & Janice Henderson Bruce & Audrey

Gilman Janice Roth

15

September 13 - 20, 2015

Sunday, September 13 ____________________________________________________________

9:00 am WORSHIP – PENTECOST 16

10:15 am Fellowship

KICK-OFF PICNIC and SERVICE PROJECT

Monday, September 14 ____________________________________________________________

6:00 pm Fellowship Committee Meeting

7:00 pm Board of Outreach Meeting

Tuesday, September 15 ____________________________________________________________

9:30 am Women’s Bible Study

7:30 pm Cantate Choir

Wednesday, September 16 ________________________________________________________

6:00 pm Confirmation Class

Youth Bible Study

7:00 pm Youth Handchimes

Sunday, September 20 ___________________________________________________________

9:00 am WORSHIP – PENTECOST 17

10:15 am Fellowship

Sunday School and Adult Bible study

Sunday School for all ages – Preschool through High School begins at 10:15 am NEXT Sunday, September 20

We will have a new Sunday School format for grades K – 6 that will fun and engaging!

NEW ADULT BIBLE STUDY on the life and letters of PAUL

Multi-media study!

Begins NEXT Sunday, September 20 at 10:15

16

WEDNESDAY NIGHT EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY FOR YOUTH Begins Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 pm

LEARN OF GOD’S EVERLASTING LOVE FOR YOU

Pre-confirmation (for 6th grade) Class begins October 14

Confirmation (for 7/8 grade and older)

Youth Bible Study (for Senior High confirmed youth)

ALSO . . . YOUTH HANDCHIME CHOIR (grades 7 -12) begins on Wednesday, September 16 at 7:00 pm.

CANTATE CHOIR

It’s time for our choir to begin practices. Our Cantate Choir provides music for

worship and is open to all singers youth (grade 7) through adults. Practices are on

Tuesday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 pm. Consider singing in choir this year!

Questions, contact director Mary Dinesen at 651-730-7886.

LADIES’ BIBLE STUDY

Paul’s letter to the Romans is a beloved book of the New Testament and captures the

essence of the Gospel message!

All ladies are invited to study ROMANS together on Tuesday mornings

from 9:30 - 11:00 am beginning Tuesday, September 15.

Questions? Speak to Dawn Marxhausen or call 730-4901

Four Days, 20,000 volunteers, 4 Million Meals

Grace of God has a chance to be a part of one of the largest Feed My Starving Children Events

Sign up to pack meals for Feed My Starving Children on Sunday, October 11, 3-5 pm at the Bielenberg

Sports Center in Woodbury. All volunteers are welcome, age 5 and up. (Children need to have an adult with

them). We have 25 slots to fill to be a part of this event. Please sign up by September 27th.

See Kathy Rehbein if you have any questions.

LO ED You are