Song Service – Songs for the Scenes of Christian Life
August 28-30, 2010
14th Weekend After Pentecost
Pastor Don Sutton
When we Enter into Worship
Introduction Genesis 1:1; Psalm 36:6b-9 (O Lord…)
We have gathered here today to worship God. Reasons to do so are many. There is God’s love. Then there is God’s power. The greatest show of God’s love is the cross. The greatest show of his power is creation. God spoke and the universe and our world came to be.
Genesis 1:1 – 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)
We worship God not only because he is the Creator God, but also because he the Preserver God. In Psalm 36 the Psalmist prayed to God,
Psalm 36:6b-9 – 6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. 7 How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. (NIV)
Thy Strong Word CW 280 v. 1&6
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At thy speaking it was done.
For created light we thank thee While thine ordered seasons run.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Praise to thee who light dost send!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia without end!
God the Father, light-creator, To thee laud and honor be.
To thee, Light from Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally.
Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to thee.
Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity!
Introduction Hebrews 10:19-22
Many things we just take for granted. At times one of them may be the privilege to worship. To call on the creator of the universe and to come to him in worship is privilege that is ours only through Jesus, the Way, The Truth, and the Life.
Hebrews 10:19-22 – 19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (NIV)
Open, Thou, Thy Gates of Beauty CW 255 v.1&4
Open now thy gates of beauty; Zion, let me enter there, Where my soul in joyful duty
Waits for him who answers prayer. Oh, how blessed is this place, Filled with solace, light, and grace!
Thou my faith increase and quicken; Let me keep thy gift divine, Howsoe’er temptations thicken;
May thy Word still o’er me shine As my guiding star through life, As my comfort in all strife.
Introduction Ps. 51:5; Isaiah 64:6a (…rags.); Romans 6:23a (…death..);
When I was in college I worked for a seed farm corporation. While obviously pork wasn’t their main product, each summer they would buy several hundred little piggies to eat seed products that didn’t cut the muster in the seed market. This was before the days of the modern hog barn and all the hog hygiene used by hog farmers today. I remember doing chores sometimes and looking at those little piggies thinking, “How can they stand that living in the pig pen with all that filth?”
Morally and spiritually speaking, before God none of us would be any different. If left to ourselves we would be living in the pig sty of sin and unbelief. More than we realize, in our weakness and ignorance we return there for a roll in the moral mud of sin.
David wrote or our inherited sinfulness in Ps. 51:5 – Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Isaiah confessed that by ourselves even our best efforts to please God are lacking. He wrote in Isaiah 64:6 – All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
In Romans 6:23 St. Paul wrote of our deserved destiny, For the wages of sin is death. (NIV). With this in mind, let us acknowledge our sinfulness to God.
Confession of Sins (All – Screen)
Holy and merciful God, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have failed to love you as you command or to love my neighbor as myself. I deserve your punishment now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins. I trust in Jesus as my Savior. Because of Him, have mercy on me.
On Christ Alone CWS 752 v. 1&4
In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground, Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my all in all, Here in the love of Christ I stand.
4 No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the pow’r of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow’r of hell, no scheme of man Can ever pluck me from his hand;
Till he returns or calls me home, Here in the pow’r of Christ I’ll stand.
Promise of God’s Forgiveness (Pastor)
“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people (Heb.9:28).” “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God (1 Pe3:18).” As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Ps. 103:12).” Rejoice. Your sins are forgiven. Through Jesus you have peace with God.
To God be the Glory CW 399 v.1&2
To God be the glory; great things he has done! He so loved the world that he gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory — great things he has done!
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To ev’ry believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice!
Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son
And give him the glory — great things he has done!
Introduction Titus 3:4-7
Baptism is one of the ways God rescues us from the barnyard of sin. Through baptism we receive spiritual life, forgiveness, a place in God’s family and the promise of eternal life. St Paul wrote of this in …
Titus 3:3-7 – 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (NIV)
Through baptism we enjoy blessings of Jesus, our beautiful Savior.
Beautiful Savior CW 369 v.1
Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I’d love thee, Truly I’d serve thee, Light of my soul, my Joy, my Crown.
Apostles’ Creed (All – Stand) / Affirmation of Baptism – Zoey Elizabeth Mertz (11:00 AM)
Creed during the Rite of Affirmation of Baptism.)
Beautiful Savior CW 369 v.3
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky.
Introduction Mark 4:35-39; Ps. 46:1-3
In Mark 4:35-39 we hear of Jesus’ disciples getting caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee. They didn’t think Jesus, who was asleep in the stern, cared about them. Listen to this account in …
Mark 4:35-39 – 35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (NIV)
The Lord showed that he cared. He calmed wind and stilled the waves. Similarly the Lord may allow storms of different kinds in our lives. But as the psalmist reminds us in Psalm 46, God is our Helper and refuge in these storms.
Psalm 46:1-3 - 1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (NIV)
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God CW 201 v.1,2
A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield and weapon; He helps us free from ev’ry need
That has us now o’ertaken. The old evil foe Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done; Soon were our loss effected. But for us fights the valiant one
Whom God himself elected. You ask, “Who is this?” Jesus Christ it is,
The almighty Lord. And there’s no other God; He holds the field forever.
Introduction Ps. 139:7-10
The Psalmist David reminds us that no matter where we go, the Lord is with us to steady our ship of life and support us in the storms of life.
Ps. 139:7-10 – 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (NIV)
Precious Lord, Take My hand CW 451 v. 1&2
Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand; I am tired, I am weak, I am worn.
Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light. Take my hand, precious Lord; Lead me home.
When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near, When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call; Hold my hand lest I fall. Take my hand, precious Lord; Lead me home.
Introduction Psalm 23 (All)
In Ps.23 we are reminded of how the Lord is our Good Shepherd who guides us and supplies all our needs, including the means to give back to him and help others as we do with our offerings and charitable gifts. Join with me in reading this psalm.
Psalm 23 – 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV) We continue in worship as we give our offerings to God and join in CW 375.
Offering / The King of Love, My Shepherd Is CW 375
The King of love my shepherd is, Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his And he is mine forever.
Where streams of living water flow, My Savior gently leads me,
And where the verdant pastures grow, With food celestial feeds me.
Confused and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love he sought me
And on his shoulder gently laid And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill With you, dear Lord, beside me,
Your rod and staff my comfort still, Your cross before to guide me.
You spread a table in my sight, A banquet here bestowing;
Your oil of welcome, my delight; My cup is overflowing!
And so through all the length of days Your goodness fails me never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise Within your house forever!
Introduction Philippians 4:6,7; Romans 8:34
Prayer is a wonderful gift of by which God wants us to bring our cares to him and with which we can give thanks to him. God directs us to pray in …
Philippians 4:6,7 – 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
(Picture of boy & dog praying) Because of so many things for which to give thanks, but at the same time, so many problems in life, often we may find ourselves on our knees, at least our spiritual knees in prayer. But why should God hear and answer our prayers? Romans 8:34 reassures us,
Romans 8:34 – 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (NIV)
Crown Him with Many Crowns CW 341 v.1&3
Crown him with many crowns, The Lamb upon his throne;
Hark how the heav’nly anthem drowns All music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing Of him who died for thee,
And hail him as thy matchless King Through all eternity.
Crown him the Lord of life, Who triumphed o’er the grave
And rose victorious in the strife For those he came to save.
His glories now we sing Who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring And lives that death may die.
Introduction Ps. 81:7a / Installation of Mr. Greg Thiesfeldt as Principal (9:30 Only)
In Psalm 81:7a God says to his people, 7 In your distress you called and I rescued you. During the last two years, after Mr. Koestler accepted a call to a Milwaukee, WI school, we have been calling to the Lord to help us deal with this vacancy. God has rescued us. For one year he provided Mr. Markgraf and Mr. Fritze, along with part-time teacher, Carol Schoenherr. For another year he provided Prof. Wiechman. (Picture of Mr. Thiesfeldt) Now God has provided us with Mr. Greg Thiesfeldt as a permanent principal. Tomorrow/today/yesterday we will install / are installing/ have installed Mr. Thiesfeldt, God’s answer to our prayers. (9:30 – Installation)
Prayers
Heaven Father, We thank you that you speak to us in your word and sacraments. We thank you for the privilege of calling you our Father and coming to you in worship and prayer through Jesus. Move us to regularly use word and sacrament. Inspire us in prayer, giving our cares to you and thanking you for your care for us.
We thank you that you have blessed us through a prolonged vacancy in our school and now have provided us with a principal. Bless Mr. Thiesfeldt in his ministry among us. Be with his wife Lisa and help her as she supports her husband.
Bless your gospel ministry throughout the world. Bless Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School as they begin another year of gospel ministry. We thank you for the 25 yrs. faithful service of Pastor Tom Hartwig and ask your continued blessing on his ministry.
Be with the sick and suffering. Especially we pray for Sherry S hospitalized but now back home, Brad R, who successfully underwent surgery this past week and is now home, and Gene B who was hospitalized and is now home. Reassure them or your love. Grant them your healing power.
Lead us to appreciate and give thanks for calm times of life, and get us through the stormy times. In both, having you, your Son and your Spirit, we have a firm foundation in life.
How Firm a Foundation CWS 768 v.2,3
2 “Fear not! I am with you. Oh, be not dismayed; For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3 “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose I will not, I will not, desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
Introduction Ps. 37:4-6
Are you ever challenged by the choices we have to make in life? Some are easy; others, difficult. Sometimes it’s difficult to set godly priorities. Often we need the Lord’s help and guidance. In this matter we are reminded in Psalm 37 ….
Psalm 37:4-6 – 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. (NIV)
Take the World, but Give Me Jesus CW 355 v.1&3
Take the world, but give me Jesus! All its joys are but a name. But his love abides forever,
Through eternal years the same. Oh, the height and depth of mercy; Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption, Pledge of endless life above!
Take the world, but give me Jesus! In his cross my trust shall be Till with clearer, brighter vision
Face to face my Lord I see. Oh, the height and depth of mercy; Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption, Pledge of endless life above!
Introduction James 1:5-8
In making touch decisions, God invites us to come to him for wisdom and guidance.
James 1:5-8 – 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Day by Day CWS 765 v.1,2
Day by day, your mercies, Lord, attend me, Bringing comfort to my anxious soul.
Day by day, the blessings, Lord, you send me Draw me nearer to my heav’nly goal.
Love divine, beyond all mortal measure, Brings to naught the burdens of my quest;
Savior, lead me to the home I treasure, Where, at last, I’ll find eternal rest.
Day by day, I know you will provide me Strength to serve and wisdom to obey;
I will seek your loving will to guide me O’er the paths I struggle day by day.
I will fear no evil of the morrow; I will trust in your enduring grace.
Savior, help me bear life’s pain and sorrow; Till in glory I behold your face.
Introduction 1 Peter 3:15b (Always….)
As God’s people, we are God’s ambassadors to the world. Therefore, it’s important that our lives are consistent with Christ and his will, and our confession of faith. At the same time, we want to be prepared to share with others what we believe and why when the opportunity arises.
1 Peter 3:15b – Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
I Love to Tell the Story CW 562
I love to tell the story Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story Because I know it’s true; It satisfies my longings As nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story; ‘Twill be my theme in glory To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story, For those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting To hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song, ‘Twill be the old, old story That I have loved so long.
I love to tell the story; ‘Twill be my theme in glory To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.
Introduction (Words of Institution)
Celebration of Holy Communion
Distribution Songs God Loved the World So That He Gave CW 391
Jesus! And Shall It Ever Be CW 347
Introduction Genesis 5
Genesis 5 is not one of the popular and often-quoted chapters of Scripture. But it reminds us of something with which all of us have to come to grips with – death. In Genesis 5 one finds a pattern ….
Genesis 5 – “Adam ….he died.” “Seth …he died.” “Enosh …he died.” “Kenan … he died.” Mahalelel …he died.” “Jared …he died.” Enoch … God took him away.” Methuselah …he died.” Lamech …he died.” Noah …”
In the Old Testament Job made a beautiful confession of faith that brings home to others facing death the fact that we have a living Lord who redeemed us from sin and death:
Job 19:25 – 25 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
I Know that My Redeemer Lives CW 152 v.1,6,7
I know that my Redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, he lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever-living Head!
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 my safely there.
Introduction John 11:17-26 (…die.)
Jesus comforts his people when dealing with death. We hear of how he did this with Mary and Martha at the death of their brother, Lazaraus.
John 11:17-26 – 17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21″Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)
Jesus abides with us when we lose loved ones, giving us comfort and hope.
Abide with Me CW 588 v.2,6,7
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day; earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away.
Change and decay in all around I see; O thou who changest not, abide with me!
I fear no foe with thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if thou abide with me.
Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heav’n's morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
Introduction Number 6:22-26
Number 6:22-26 – 22 The LORD said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 ” ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ‘ Hymn 332 is a beautiful reflection of this blessing.
Go, My Children, with My Blessing CW 332 v.1,4
Go, my children, with my blessing, Never alone. Waking, sleeping, I am with you; You are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing – You are my own.
I the Lord will bless and keep you And give you peace; I the Lord will smile upon you And give you peace;
I the Lord will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother.
Go, my children; I will keep you And give you peace.
Introduction 1 Peter 1:22; Hebrew 10:23-25
As you leave worship not only remember the Lord’s relationship with you, but your relationship with one another. Keep in mind God’s commands:
1 Peter 1:22 – 22Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
Hebrew 10:23-25- 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
God Be with You Till We Meet Again CW 327 v.1
God be with you till we meet again, By his counsels guide, uphold you,
With his sheep securely fold you – God be with you till we meet again.
Till we meet, Till we meet, Till we meet at Jesus’ feet.
Till we meet, Till we meet – God be with you till we meet again.