The Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost. Saint John Lutheran Church

The Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost Saint John Lutheran Church Hattiesburg, Mississippi October 23, 2016

Welcome! "How great is the Love the Father has lavished on us!" (1 John 3:1). We are thankful that you are joining in the worship of the people of God this day. Ushers at the door are glad to assist you at any time. Please check that cell phones are silenced. Restrooms are located down either hallway to the right. Prayer requests may be written on the white cards in the pew rack and given to an usher before worship begins, or as you leave. A nursery is available to parents as needed, down the first hallway to the right. Please take your child to the restroom before dropping them off at the nursery. Activity bags to help keep young children occupied during the message are provided in the back right corner of the sanctuary. Please tell us a bit about yourself on the Record of Friendship during the collection of the offering. About the Offering An offering is gathered today during the worship service. Here the people of God bring their tithes and sacrificial offerings as an expression of their discipleship, and for the continuation of Jesus mission work, both in this community and to the ends of the earth. Guests are not expected to bring financial gifts, but are welcome to join the congregation in offering their prayers and praises. About Holy Communion Today we celebrate Holy Communion. In this, we remember that the divine is united with the created as one in the person of Jesus. This altar is the Lord s table. Here all are welcome who acknowledge their need for a Savior, and look to Jesus. We believe what he simply says about the bread This is my body, given for you. and about the wine This is my blood, shed for you. Thus, the Lord Jesus is truly present for his redeemed people in this holy meal. In this we retain the divine mystery in the midst of his ordinary creation. From the many seeds of wheat come one loaf. From the many grapes are pressed one cup. His many diverse people constitute one body and community of faith. Young children are welcome to this altar to receive a blessing, as are those who have not been instructed in the Christian faith. Please indicate your desire for a blessing by crossing your arms over your chest or by simply asking for a blessing. Alcohol-removed communion wine is available for those who desire it. The individual communion cups in the center of the tray contain denatured wine, which contains less than ½% alcohol. This wine is pink in color. Gluten-free wafers are available at distribution upon request. We are imperfect people and we live in an imperfect world. We are all in this together. So when we believe or act wrongly towards someone, or when we feel that another has wronged us, we commit ourselves to the humble teaching and forgiving pattern of Jesus in Matthew 18. Notes on Richard Proulx's "Mass for the City." Like so much music for worship, whether historical or of our own time, this setting of the Eucharist was composed out of practical need. Designed for festive liturgies where congregational involvement forms the basic musical texture together with embellishments of occasional choral harmony and instrumental punctuation, 'Mass for the City' utilizes two basic motifs each for the Gloria and Sanctus. These motifs will usually require rehearsal with the congregation, but the remaining movements are simply responsorial and designed for instant response. The music was composed in 1988. 2

The Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost Prayer As We Begin Please stand. + GATHERING + C Heavenly Father, as we come before you this morning in Jesus name, we pray all that we say and do in our worship will give you glory. Help us, Lord, to focus our thoughts on you, so your Word will find fertile ground in our minds and hearts. May the worship service today accomplish in us the purpose you desire. Amen. The Invocation, Confession, and Absolution P In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P Beloved in the Lord! If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. C But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Silence for reflection on God s Word and for self-examination. Then the confession. P Let us then confess our sins to God our Father. C Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. The minister declares God s forgiveness. P In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. C Amen. Litany I Kyrie 3

(15 beat intro) (8 beat rest) (5 beat rest) 4

Peace and Collect Prayer L The LORD be with you. C And also with you. L We pray together... C O Lord, almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve. Pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy; forgive us those things of which our conscience is afraid; and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except by the merits and meditation of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Please be seated. + WORD + First Reading Genesis 4:1-15 L The Old Testament reading for the Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost is from Genesis, chapter four. In the words of hymn #433: "Abel's blood for vengeance, Pleaded to the skies; But the blood of Jesus, For our pardon cries." 1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, I have gotten a man with the help of the LORD. 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? 5

And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it. 8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? He said, I do not know; am I my brother s keeper? 10 And the LORD said, What have you done? The voice of your brother s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. 13 Cain said to the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. 15 Then the LORD said to him, Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. L This is the Word of the LORD. C Thanks be to God. Second Reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 L The Epistle is from Second Timothy, chapter 4. Paul's understands that his life also is being poured out as a drink offering, and that for His glory the Lord is rescuing him. 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. L This is the Word of the LORD. C Thanks be to God. Alleluia and Verse Please stand 6

Holy Gospel Luke 18:9-17 L The Holy Gospel according to Saint Luke, the 18 th chapter. 9 [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get. 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me, a sinner! 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted. 15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. L This is the Gospel of the Lord. The Catechesis P During the Sundays following Pentecost we confess our faith as we recite a portion of the Small Catechism, which teaches what it means to follow Jesus and trains up his disciples. Catechesis: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism As the head of the family should teach the Sacrament of Holy Baptism in a simple way to their household. Part Four What does such Baptism with water indicate? It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Where is this written? St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Please be seated. 7

741 Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense 8 O, then, draw away your hearts From all pleasures base and hollow; Strive to share what He imparts While you here His footsteps follow. As you now still wait to rise, Fix your hearts beyond the skies! The Message A Sure Defense, A Kingdom Offense The Prayers of the Church The Collection of Tithes and Offerings For the continuation of Christ s work, both in this place and to the ends of the earth. Get Connected We are grateful to worship together today. Please note your attendance in the Record of Fellowship. New and updated contact information is always helpful. Thanks! 8

+ MEAL + This is Christ s table. Our Savior invites those who trust in him to share the feast which he has prepared. In this meal we truly receive the body and blood of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. This is a great and divine mystery! Here we are joined with God and all the saints, and receive the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Young children and those who would prefer to receive a blessing are welcome to come forward. Alcohol Removed Communion Wine The individual communion cups in the center of the tray contain denatured wine, which contains less than ½% alcohol. Gluten-free wafers are available at distribution upon request. The Preface and Hymn of Praise Please stand. P The LORD be with you. C And also with you. P Lift up your hearts. C We lift them to the LORD. P Let us give thanks to the LORD our God. C It is right to give Him thanks and praise. P It is truly good, right, and salutary... evermore praising You and saying: 9

Prayer of Thanksgiving The Our Father 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. The Words of Institution Litany II Agnus Dei 10

Distribution Hymns 334 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You 5 Sin s debt, that fearful burden, Cannot His love erase; Your guilt the Lord will pardon And cover by His grace. He comes, for you procuring The peace of sin forgiv n, His children thus securing Eternal life in heav n. 6 He comes to judge the nations, A terror to His foes, A light of consolations And blessèd hope to those Who love the Lord s appearing. O glorious Sun, now come, Send forth Your beams so cheering, And guide us safely home. 764 When Aimless Violence Takes Those We Love 11

5 Through long grief-darkened days help us, dear Lord, To trust Your grace for courage to endure, To rest our souls in Your supporting love, And find our hope within Your mercy sure. 570 Just as I Am, without One Plea 5 Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 6 Just as I am; Thy love unknown Has broken ev ry barrier down; Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. + SENDING + Concluding Prayer, Benedicamus, and Blessing L Let us bless the LORD. C Thanks be to God. 12

L We speak the Romans 15 blessing to one another: May the God of HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE as you TRUST in him, so that YOU may overflow with HOPE by the POWER of the Holy Spirit. L 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 T give you peace. C Amen 660 Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus 13

\ Serving the Lord Today Pastor John Karle 318.332.3352 johnkarle17@gmail.com Altar Guild Pat Davenport and Shirley Thone Organist Elder Acolyte Ushers Nursery Sunday Teachers Jason Sims Fred Songy 601.606.7054 Gabriel Wastvedt Mark Keyl and Shelley Songy Gabby Bulger Donna Blair, Lorhetta Lawrence, June Songy, and Sonja Chaney Scriptures for Next Sunday Revelation 14:6-7 Romans 3:19-28 Luke 19:1-10 Office Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9am-12noon. Sunday Bulletin Deadline: Wednesday at 9am. Eternal Candle: Christina Thornhill in Celebration of October Birthdays Altar Flowers: Jerry Frederick in Celebration of Debbie Frederick s Birthday. Today s Theme Evil intrudes into our lives through sin. Cain murders Abel and, despite profound guilt, he is spared by God. The Lord s mercy outlasts the anguish and anticipation of death. Saints need not eternally despair over the agony of sin. Rather, believers boldly confess and cling to the mercy of God, knowing that God alone delivers, protects, and saves. He declares the undeserving to be justified through Jesus. To such belongs the kingdom of God. Birthdays Patricia Shields October 23 Tasha Lowry October 25 Charles Snyder October 25 Debbie Frederick October 26 Van Lowry October 26 Micah Matthews October 26 Pat Davenport October 27 Mark Keyl October 27 Warner Boortz October 29 Baptism Anniversaries Alex Meyer October 27 Robert Meyer October 27 Lynn Umbdenstock October 27 Jerry Frederick October 28 Kerry Geroux October 29 Wedding Anniversaries Bill and Tasha Lowry, 17 years October 23 Hearing Assistance Devices are available from the ushers upon request. Live Streaming of Worship Services Click on the Watch Live button on our new website: www.saintjohnhattiesburg.com. Junior High Southern District Youth Gathering The theme is: "Men in Black: Rated R for Reconciliation" based on 1 John 4:4-6. The gathering is Friday night through Sunday noon, November 11-13 at the beautiful Twin Lakes Camp and Conference Center. Doubly Reduced Price: Save Around Hattiesburg Coupon Books More than $5000 in savings for $10 (50% off). See how much you can save before the end of the year! 14

Congregational Meeting Today after Worship The Church Council has called a special informational meeting of the congregation today following worship. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an update on our finances and nominations for the Board of Directors. We intend for the meeting to be brief. Please give this your attention. Oktoberfest Committee Meeting Today Following the congregational meeting, those with key roles in the Oktoberfest are asked to meet in the Community Room for debriefing, so that we can capture what we learned from this year's event and make improvements. Thanks for a phenomenally good event this year! Mustard and Bratwurst Pints of German mustard are still available at $7 each. Only nine left. Full cases of 30 Bratwurst are available at $34 each, or $17 for a half case. See Bob Schneider or the church office for assistance. Church Pictures The last several months we have been compiling the church history. If you have any pictures or news articles from 1993-1999, please select 3 or 4 of the best ones from each event and submit them to the church office by noon Sun., October 30 th. Please label the pictures with the name of the event and the names of people pictured if possible. We can accept any format, printed or electronic. We can return these items if needed. Recruit Bailey Walters Boot Camp Mailing Address Please send regular cards and letters only. No singing cards or food to: Rct. Walters, Bailey M. 3rd RTBN PLT 3093 Com PO Box 16355 Parris Island, SC 29905-6355 Community Activities The Avenues 5th Annual Halloween Parade The Halloween Parade will begin at Parkway Heights at 5:30pm on October 27th and will end at the Hattiesburg Zoo. Saint John will be providing hotdogs and water for the community. If you would like to volunteer for this, please sign the list on the double wooden doors. Brown Bag Concert Series Live music at City Hall fountain Plaza every Thursday in October 11:30am 1pm. These are free events where you may purchase a brown bag lunch for $6. Spay-ghetti Dinner Southern Pines will host their 2 nd Annual Spay-ghetti dinner at the Southern Pines Spay and Neuter Clinic (1304 Hardy Street) on Thursday, November 3 rd, 4:30-7pm. The dinner will be take-out only, with single-serving dinners available for $5 and family-size dinners for $15. Dream BRIGHT Join this community event and engage in an hour of conversation about the dangers of alcohol and substance abuse at the USM Thad Cochran Center rm. 218 on Thursday, November 3 rd, 6-7pm. Featuring speakers Lisa M. Spradley and James Moore. Boy Scouts Fundraiser Sunday, November 6th at Parkway Heights UMC. Eat in or carry out. Tickets need to be purchased in advance from Bob Cubley (601.596.3153) or Colin Cubley. Funds raised will help local Troop 93 to attend summer camps. What s Happening? Want to know what is happening around town? There are always fun things happening around town but we can t list them all in the bulletin. Check out the Events page on our website www.saintjohnhattiesburg.com. 15

Prayers Needed Cory Thiel Serving Stateside Son of Norbert and Trenia Thiel 10/1/16 Bailey Walters Marine Camp Parris Island Member 8/13/16 Dylan Cubley Chemotherapy Member 4/10/16 Joey Spradley Cancer Friend of the Congregation 4/10/16 Chris Gohlke Cancer Family of Mary Gohlke 6/13/16 Al Smith Cancer, Hospice Care Brother of Ann Gault 8/14/16 Edward Curry Cancer Family of Shelia Curry 9/11/16 Gary Gordon Cancer Friend of Alicia Liverett 9/21/16 Robert Meyer Cancer Father of Ted Meyer 9/21/16 Warner Boortz Cancer Member 10/13/16 Michael Beverly Hospice Brother of Darlean Michuoku 6/1/16 Marilyn Henkels Health and Strength Member 3/13/16 Lisa Case Health and Strength Member 8/14/16 Danyel Davis Health and Strength Friend of Alicia Liverett 9/11/16 Melanie Thomas Health and Strength Niece of Patrice Lovdahl 9/11/16 Richard Hojem Health and Strength Father of Christina Noffke 9/25/16 Ceressa Sims Health and Strength Mother of Jason Sims 10/5/16 Don Shields Health and Strength Member 10/19/16 Irene Amason Congestive Heart Failure Mother of Jane Johnson 8/21/16 Brooke Miley Kidney Failure Friend of Sonja Chaney 8/29/16 Cynthia Woodard Recovery from Surgery Friend of Alicia Liverett 9/11/16 Barbara Welch Recovery from Surgery Friend of Allen Clearman 9/18/16 Lena Clair Lowery (infant) Recovery from 2 nd Surgery Niece of Jane Johnson 9/18/16 Marvin Allen Stroke Family of Shelia Curry 9/11/16 Mallory May McRaney Infant with IUGR Friend of Gabby Bulger 10/13/16 Patrick Little Injured in work accident Friend of Nancy Grunig 10/16/16 Family of Ernest Norris Recently Died 10/8 Brother of Julia Hagen 10/10/16 Family of Earl Traugott Recently Died 10/17 Brother of Lillian Smith 10/17/16 Love. Like. Jesus. T Hope for the City. Saint John Lutheran Church 2001 Hardy Street Hattiesburg MS 39401 Telephone: 601.583.4898 Website: www.saintjohnhattiesburg.com Email: stjohnlutheranchurch@gmail.com Like Us on Facebook: USM Campus Mission Like Us on Facebook: Oktoberfest Hattiesburg Like Us on Facebook: Saint John Church Hattiesburg Like Us on Facebook: Longleaf Heights Neighborhood Association 16