Saturday, October 11th, 2014
Christ Lutheran Church Mission Statement: “Caring for all God’s children, we shall serve God through Worship, Learning and Sharing.” ALL ARE WELCOME HERE! Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 32747 Lake Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012 phone: (440) 933-6263 * Pastor’s cell: (440) 241-1375 email:
[email protected], website: www.christlutheranavonlake.org Pastor: Jeff Steeber
[email protected] Organist: Randi Smarsh Nursery Attendant: Beth Kral Church Secretary: Kimberly Orille Custodian: Bill Higgins
The congregation is invited to stand. GATHERING SONG: Drawn to the Light
ELW 593
Verse 1 People who walk in darkness have sought a light in the heart of the darkest night. Just when we thought all would be lost, we were drawn to the light of God. Refrain Dawn is in sight! Gone is the night, drawn to the light and the morning. Glorious and bright, oh, what a sight to be drawn to the light of God. Verse 2 How can we tell a heaven from hell if ev’ry one dwells in the dark of night? Morning dispels, gently compels, and we’re drawn to the light of God. Refrain. Verse 3 Where is the sun? Oh, there will be none! The Lamb is the one who is shining bright, bids us to come! Life has begun when we’re drawn to the light of God. Refrain. Used by permission. Copyright 1990 John Ylvisaker, P.O. Box 321, Waverly, Iowa 50677. (319) 352-4396.
INVOCATION AND GREETING P: We worship our God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all! C: And also with you!
GATHERING SONG: Blow Spirit Blow Verse 1 Before the earth had form, you rode up on the storm. Your hands became our womb, so warm and wonderful a home. So, Refrain Blow Spirit, blow! Blow Spirit, blow! We need to feel the presence of the Lord, So blow Spirit blow! Verse 2 When Mary heard the Word, you sought to reassure. And by the Jordan river, there a voice from heav’n was heard. So, Verse 3 And when the Spirit came on wind and tongue of flame, You took away our guilt and shame, and blest us once again. So,
Refrain
Refrain
used by permission. ©1985 John Ylvisaker, Box 321 Waverly, IA 50677. (319)3524396
GATHERING PRAYER P: Let us pray. C: Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. SECOND LESSON: PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9 Please make sure that the responses are heartfelt and inspired, for God rejoices in our listening. L: The second lesson is from Philippians, the 4th chapter. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. L: The word of the Lord! C: Thanks be to God! The congregation is invited to stand for the reading of the Gospel. GOSPEL: MATTHEW 22:1-14 P: The holy gospel according to St. Matthew, the 22nd chapter. C: Glory to you, O Lord! Please make sure that the responses are heartfelt and inspired, for there is no greater news than the gospel of Christ Jesus. Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14For many are called, but few are chosen." P: The gospel of the Lord! C: Praise to you, O Christ! The congregation is seated for the sermon.
SERMON The congregation is invited to stand for the Song of the Day. SONG OF THE DAY: Forever Give thanks to the Lord our God and King; His love endures forever. For he is good; he is above all things; His love endures forever. Sing praise; sing praise; Sing praise; sing praise; Forever God is faithful! Forever God is strong! Forever God is with us, Forever, forever! Give thanks to the Lord our God and King; His love endures forever. For he is good; he is above all things; His love endures forever. Sing praise; sing praise; Sing praise; sing praise; Forever God is faithful! Forever God is strong! Forever God is with us, Forever! Forever God is faithful! Forever God is strong! Forever God is with us, Forever, forever! Forever! Text and music: Chris Tomlin ©2001 worshiptogether.com songs sixsteps Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI 2032159
Using the ancient words of our confessional faith, we proclaim the Apostles’ Creed.
APOSTLES’ CREED C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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. SHARING OF THE PEACE P: The peace of Christ be with you always. C: And also with you. (Everyone is invited to gather around the altar for the remainder of the service. As you come forward you may place your offering in the offering plate on the stand. After the singing of “Lamb of God” those receiving communion will be invited to kneel or stand next to the Communion railing. Baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Communion is by Intinction: receive the bread – dip the bread into the cup – then consume the body and blood of Christ. If you are not able to come forward, Holy Communion will be brought to you.) PRAYERS AND CONFESSION P: Let us boldly approach the throne of grace, trusting in God's mercy and love. Silence is kept for reflection. Come near us, Lord God. Let your church rejoice at your banquet where all are invited and welcomed, washed and fed, forgiven and chosen. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Come near us, Lord God. Let your creation rejoice in green pastures, beside still waters, on mountaintops, in harvested fields, along city streets, down country roads, and throughout the valleys. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Come near us, Lord God. Let your world rejoice in peace which surpasses understanding, at tables overflowing with good food and drink, and where shrouds of sorrow are lifted. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Come near us, Lord God. Let your people rejoice with faces wiped free of tears, minds unbound from disgrace, bodies freed from suffering, and souls restored. (Especially we pray for . . .) Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Come near us, Lord God. Let your faithful rejoice in every assembly, in praise and singing, word and deed, unrestrained from worry and unchained from fear. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Come near us, Lord God. Let those who wait for you rejoice with all the saints, whose names are in the book of life and who now sit at the great feast with you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. P: God, we are constantly in need of your grace and forgiveness. So we turn to you to confess our sin. C: We confess to you all the ways, known and unknown, that we reject and undermine your steadfast love. Though you made us your people, we treat strangers with suspicion. Though you forgave our debts, we collect without mercy. Yet we are quick to pass judgment on others. Have mercy on us, O God, and remember your promise to us, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. FORIVENESS AND WORDS OF INSTITUTION P: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Through the living Word, + Jesus Christ, God forgives your every debt, your every sin, and gives you a new heart and a new spirit. C: Amen.
P: My friends, one of the greatest promises we have is that of the forgiveness of our sins and the newness of life which we experience in Jesus Christ. We are greeted by the Risen Christ in the sacrament of Holy Communion. By the Holy Spirit, Jesus is made known to us in the breaking of the bread. And so, we remember how 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. LORD'S PRAYER P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray, C: 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. SONG: Jesus, Lamb of God Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name; Jesus, Lamb of God, Worthy is your name. Repeat
WP 76
Public Domain
COMMUNION POST COMMUNION BLESSING P: May the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C: Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION AND BLESSING P: Let us pray.
C: O God, the host at every meal, at this table you spread out a feast for all peoples, the bread of life and the cup of salvation. Send us from this banquet to invite others into these good things, to let justice roll down like waters, and to care for the least of our sisters and brothers; through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and our Savior. Amen. P: The blessing of almighty God, the Father of glory, + Jesus Christ our peace, and the Spirit of truth, be upon you and remain with you always. C: Amen. SENDING SONG: Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, vs. 1 & 3 Verse 1 Come, thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. While the hope of endless glory Fills my heart with joy and love, Teach me ever to adore thee; May I still thy goodness prove.
ELW 807
Verse 3 O, to grace how great a debtor Daily I'm constrained to be; Let that grace now like a fetter Bind my wand'ring heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love. Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it; Seal it for thy courts above. ANNOUNCEMENTS DISMISSAL A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #45713. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Weekly Announcements Today’s flowers are given by John Stuart in loving memory of his wife JoAnn. Also given by Arline Walters in memory of Dale & Arline Walters 60 th Wedding Anniversary. Another given by Denny & Kathy in celebration of Anita Hlava’s 75th birthday. Christ Lutheran Preschool is again selling Stoller Pastries for the holidays. This presents the opportunity to order Butter Braid Pastries – frozen hand braided pastries filled with a variety of mouthwatering fillings! Just thaw, rise and bake! Butter Braid Pastries are a fundraiser exclusive, you can’t get them in stores! You also have the opportunity to purchase and/or sell Baker Jo’s Cookie Dough, Dutch Delights (pumpkin rolls/apple dumplings), Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Products and Zap A Snack Pizzas! All of these goodies are great to have on hand for holiday affairs and guests. The proceeds from this fundraiser will go toward preschool materials and supplies throughout the year. We make 40% profit on each item we sell. Fundraiser begins October 6 and ends October 20. Delivery is Wednesday, November 5. Order forms are located on the bulletin board in the hallway, please consider ordering/selling a few to help support our preschool. Thank you. Endowment Fund: The Endowment Fund is currently posting grant applications for monies available from the ELCA Pooled Trust account held by our church. A total of up to $4625 will be dispersed to Christian Education and other General fund requests. ($3895.00 to Christian Ed and $730.00 to General). Applications have been posted on the bulletin board, along with instructions. All completed applications should be forwarded to the Endowment Fund committee no later than October 15th. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Mike Lieske at (440 892-8522) or email me at
[email protected]. Haunted X 2014 at Mansfield Reformatory is Saturday, October 18. Depart church at 6:00 p.m. and return at 11:00 p.m. Must be at least 13 years of age. Cost is $18 per person, payment (checks payable to CELC) due to the church office in the “Payments” lock box (on the church secretary’s desk) by October 12. Sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area. Contact Melissa Steele-Steeber with questions.
After Church Lunch Bunch is planning to dine at Las Cazuelas after the October 26 church service (about 12:30 pm). Sign-up on the sheet in the hallway so we can include you in the reservation. As Outreach Chairperson I want to keep you up to date on our benevolence goals and where we currently stand. Our Mission Partner goal is to provide financial assistance to two second year seminary students at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. At year’s end we will send the Mission Partner funds to the seminary for their selection as to the most qualified students. Our Benevolence goals for the year are twofold. The congregation has pledged 8.5%of its contribution income to the Northeast Ohio Synod. It is estimated that this pledge will be over $17,000. It should be noted that the Synod sends more than half that pledge to the ELCA church. Additionally, we support Love INC., Family Promise, Lutheran World Hunger, and Community Resource Services (CRS) serving Avon/Avon Lake. So far this year we are on schedule and have sent $12,000 toward our Synod goal. I would ask that if anyone has comments, questions or other input for our Outreach and Benevolence in 2015, please contact me. Thank you for all your generous support of our church and church goals. Robert Olds, Outreach Chairman.
Greeters: Usher: Lector: Acolytes: Cantor: Assists:
Altar: Counter: Lawn:
TIME AND TALENTS This Sunday Next Sunday Muir Family Beth Lecorchick & Sons Bob Olds Rob Johnson Amy Klenz Joe Guthman Grace Steele-Steeber Caroline Jantz Lauren Skaggs Maggie Jantz Anne Paine Allen Kacenjar Cantor Cantor Genny Helmink Russ Roth Tom Reiner Doris Klement + Duty Acolytes +Duty Acolytes Carol Meiners & Shirley Mitchell Carol Meiners & Shirley Mitchell Trio (Chris, Jo, & Shirley) Chuck Heindrichs Ryan Smarsh Dave Paine
This Week At Christ Lutheran: October 12-October 19, 2014 Sunday 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Holy Worship After worship Coffee Hour 6:00 p.m. Special Catechism Class Monday 6:30 p.m. Parents of Special Needs Children Book Study 7:00 p.m. Spiritual Gifts Class Tuesday 12:00 p.m. Lydia/Naomi Circle Meeting 7:00 p.m. Anna Circle Meeting at Doris Gaertner Residence Wednesday 10:30 a.m. Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir 7:00 p.m. Endowment Fund Meeting 7:30 p.m. Senior Choir NEWSLETTER DEADLINE Thursday 7:00 p.m. Crossways at POP 7:00 p.m. Preschool Board Meeting Friday Pastor Steeber’s Day Off Saturday 6:45 a.m. Men’s Bible Study 5:00 p.m. Holy Worship 6:00 p.m. Mansfield Reformatory Sunday 9:15 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Holy Worship 6:00 p.m. Confirmation Class at POP
