ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH November 22, 2015 - 8:00 am WHEN HE SHALL COME We have come to the Last Sunday of the Church Year. Twelve months have passed, and Advent is right around the corner. This final Sunday in the life of the Church gives us a time to reflect upon the second coming of Jesus Christ, even as we prepare to celebrate His first coming in the Advent and Christmas seasons. Our merciful King will speak to us through His Word and fill us with His everlasting presence as we gather around His Means of Grace today. As we do so, may our eyes of faith be fixed on this King until the Day when He returns, and we will see Him face-to-face.
Transcript
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH LUTHERAN CHURCH - MISSOURI SYNOD
LAST SUNDAY OF THE CHURCH
November 22, 2015 - 8:00 am
WHEN HE SHALL COME We have come to the Last Sunday of the Church Year. Twelve months have passed, and Advent is right around the corner. This final Sunday in the life of the Church gives us a time to reflect upon the second coming of Jesus Christ, even as we prepare to celebrate His first coming in the Advent and Christmas seasons. Our merciful King will speak to us through His Word and fill us with His everlasting presence as we gather around His Means of Grace today. As we do so, may our eyes of faith be fixed on this King until the Day when He returns, and we will see Him face-to-face.
Organ Chorale
Now All the Vault of Heaven Resounds ROBERT A. HOBBY Pastoral Greeting PASTOR LARSON Tolling of the Bell Hymn of Worship All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name LSB 549
DIVINE SERVICE
INVOCATION and OPENING SENTENCES P In the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen. P Lo! He comes with clouds descending, C Once for ev’ry sinner slain; P Thousand, thousand saints attending C Swell the triumph of His train: P Alleluia, alleluia, C alleluia! Christ the Lord returns to reign.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
(We take a moment of silence to reflect on our sin and our need for the Savior.) P Let us confess our sins to God our Father. C Almighty God, as we stand before Your holy throne, we are unworthy to be in Your presence. Your Law is perfect and true. We are by nature sinful, and we have failed to do what Your Law commands, and we have done what You tell us not to do. Even when we are unaware of it, our sin separates us from Your holy presence. By the grace You show us in the salvation of Jesus Christ, clothe us in His righteousness, which we wear as Your baptized children. Renew our hearts and strengthen our confidence in You and the free gift of Your righteousness. Amen. P Almighty God, in His great mercy, has given His Son to die for you and, for Jesus’ sake, He forgives you all your sins. Upon this your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of Christ, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the † Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.
Hymn of Praise This Is the Feast!
WOMEN MEN
WOMEN
MEN
ALL
ALL
Prayer of the Day
P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, so govern our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that, ever mindful of Your glorious return, we may persevere in both faith and holiness of living; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen.
SERVICE OF THE WORD
First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
"As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God!
Second Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8
Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God!
New Testament Canticle (Music: LSB 266) Christ has been raised from the dead! ALLELUIA. ALLELUIA. Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed. Raised from the dead, He will never die again. Death has no more dominion over Him. Christ has been raised from the dead! ALLELUIA. ALLELUIA. Dying, Christ dies to sin, once for all. Living, He lives to God. Count yourselves as dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Christ has been raised from the dead! ALLELUIA. ALLELUIA.
Congregation, please stand.
P The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the eighteenth chapter. C Glory to You, O Lord.
The Holy Gospel: John 18:33-37
P The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to You, O Christ.
Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?" "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" Je-sus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." "You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."
Hymn of the Day Jesus Shall Reign LSB 832
Sermon And He Shall Reign Forever and Ever PASTOR LARSON Text: Revelation 1:4b-8
The Nicene Creed LSB Inside back-cover
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people accord- ing to their needs. For the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, that we may share the gifts of our Savior in both our words and actions, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. P For all those who are united to Christ by Holy Baptism, that they may walk in newness of life, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. P For all pastors, teachers, missionaries, and other servants of the Church, that they may both be taught by our Savior and teach others His love, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. P For our congregation, that we may work together in unity for the sake of Christ and His mission, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. P For all who serve in positions of leadership in our government, along with those who serve in our military, that the Lord would always be their refuge and strength, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. P For all who are broken in heart, mind, and body [especially . . .], that they may know the healing of Jesus in body, mind, and spirit, let us pray to the Lord. C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. P For these and all other concerns we have, that coming before the throne of grace we find mercy to help us in every type of need, let us pray to the Lord, C Lord, You alone give righteousness and salvation. Amen.
Sharing of the Peace
P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you.
You may now greet one another saying ...Peace be with you
THE OFFERING
Offertory Prayer
P Let us pray, C Heavenly Father, receive these gifts, symbols of the time, abilities, and resources we place at Your disposal in thanks for Your eternal grace, mercy, and peace. Receive them for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn Concertato
Sent from Heaven—ALLELUIA! EDWARD GEISLER, arr. Tune: SEWARD, Theodore A. Beck The Ascension Chorale and Congregation CHOIR SENT FROM HEAVEN, GOD AND MAN, JESUS, LORD IN US NOW DWELLING; ONLY SON, BY GOD’S OWN PLAN, COME TO SERVE, HIS LOVE NOW TELLING. ALLELUIA!
ALL In our churches, in our streets, Precious lives, transformed, forgiven; With our souls our Lord now meets, Prompts a faith, a fire now living. Alleluia! CHOIR IN OUR SORROWS WHEN WE GRIEVE, JESUS TOUCHES WITH COMPASSION, “I AM HERE AND WILL NOT LEAVE YOU, MY CHILDREN I HAVE FASHIONED.” ALLE, ALLE, ALLELUIA!
ALL Life is Christ, to die is gain, To the Church triumphant carried; All the joy, where is no pain; Sin and death all now are buried! Alleluia!
ALL Give Him glory, give Him praise, Worship with all saints in glory; Going forth with living faith, Telling all the Scriptures’ story. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia!
HOLY COMMUNION
The Lord, our Host, invites to his Supper those who are baptized into the Chris-tian faith, confess him as Savior, have examined themselves, truly repent of sins, believe the Risen Lord is present in the sacrament with his true body and blood, and resolve to live faithfully and obediently. For those with an intolerance to alco-hol, the center ring of the tray contains grape juice. Gluten free wafers are avail-able to those with wheat allergies. Children who have not been instructed, yet desire a blessing, are invited to come forward with arms crossed. Come, for the Supper is ready! When receiving the bread and wine, the communicant may re-spond with “Amen!”, a word of affirmation and belief.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Preface
P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:
Sanctus
The Words of Consecration
P 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. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
The Lord’s Prayer
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.
Agnus Dei
Music for Meditation
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (Piano and Organ) SMITH—HUSTAD, arr. Anita Baresel, piano Hymns during the Distribution
Preserve Your Word, O Savior LSB 658 Drawn to the Cross, Which Thou Hast Blessed LSB 560
Communion Benediction
P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C Amen.
Post Communion Prayer
P We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen.
Benediction Hymn The Church’s One Foundation LSB 644 Sunday School Singers
John 3:16 TROY and GENIE NILSSON
JOHN THREE SIXTEEN SAYS THAT GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM
WILL NEVER DIE BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. HE IS THE WAY. HE IS THE TRUTH.
HE IS THE LIFE, SO PUT YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST, AND YOUR SOUL WILL NEVER DIE.
I Am a “C”
I AM A C. I AM A C H. I AM A C H R I S T I A N
AND I HAVE C H R I S T IN MY H E A R T. AND I WILL L I V E E T E R N A L L Y...
Congregational Concerns P Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God! Organ Chorale Jesus, Priceless Treasure JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH Gwen Geisler, organ
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
Choral Benediction Benediction JOHN A. BEHNKE The Ascension Chorale
THE LORD BLESS YOU, THE LORD KEEP YOU;
THE LORD MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE UPON YOU, AND BE GRACIOUS, AND BE GRACIOUS;
THE LORD LOOK UPON YOU WITH FAVOR AND GIVE YOU PEACE.
AMEN.
Serving in Worship
OFFICIANT and CELEBRANT The Rev. John R. Larson, Pastor ELDER 8:00 Clyde Wiggins 10:30 Don Loptien MINISTER OF MUSIC & ORGANIST Stephen R. Pruitt CHOIR 8:00 The Ascension Chorale ASSISTING ORGANIST 8:00 Gwen Geisler INSTRUMENTALIST 8:00 Anita Baresel, piano PRAISE TEAM 10:30 The Agapes LECTOR 8:00 David Olsson 10:30 Jude Domovan ACOLYTE 8:00 Pete Federico 10:30 Isiah Ortiz SERVER 10:30 Les Young ALTAR GUILD Gloria Mielke, Deb Shiflet, Cathy Utecht ALTAR FLOWERS Flowers were given today by Patti Zeggert in Celebration of Patti’s & Leo’s 29th Anniversary and Mel and Eileen Raddeman’s 68th Anniversary (November 29) and in loving memory of Eileen Raddeman who would have been 89 on November 22.
