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May 17, 2020 Victory No Matter What Happens
May 17, 2020
Victory No Matter What Happens
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We’re so glad you decided to worship with us today. Thank you! It’s an
honor to have you listening in and to have the chance to fill you with hope
in these troubling times. Welcome to Living Hope. Happy Mother’s Day!
Easter Series: Victorious!
Victory is sweet...the joy...the excitement.
But victory often lasts just for a moment. It eventually fades away.
Except when it’s a victory that lasts forever.
This Easter celebrate a victory that will never fade. A victory won for you. A victory that gives you more than a thrill. A victory that gives you eternal life.
One life. One death. One empty tomb.
Today’s Focus: Victory No Matter What Happens In this Life
Our eyes tend to be fixated on the problems, worries, and stresses that face us each day. We
can’t ignore those troubles. We probably shouldn’t ignore those troubles and pretend they’re
not real. But living through hardship doesn’t mean we have to fix our eyes on the troubles we
see.
We fix our eyes on Christ and the eternal glory he’s prepared for us through his resurrection.
When we zoom out on the big picture of God’s grace we can even view our earthly struggles as
light and momentary. No matter what happens to us in this life, God gives us victory!
welcome to
WORSHIP
CURRENT SERIES INFO
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ABOUT LIVING HOPE
Living Hope Lutheran Church is a brand new mission church on Chattanooga’s east side. We are funded
by and a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a collection of over 1,300 churches
across the United States and Canada.
Living Hope succeeds in its mission when hope forever in Jesus brings hope for every day in life.
For more on our mission, background, and beliefs just visit our website: livinghopechatt.com
ABOUT WORSHIP
Worship at Living Hope is designed to fill you with hope! The message you hear at Living Hope will cen-
ter you on your Savior, Jesus, and what he's done for you. Worship isn't just about filling up God with
praise. Worship is all about God filling you with good news!
We follow a basic order of service, called the liturgy. In the message, in specially selected Scripture
readings, and in carefully crafted songs, prayers, and creeds, the liturgy proclaims the good news
(gospel) about Jesus from start to finish.
PRESERVICE MUSIC
A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing—Christian Worship #171
Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won—Christians Worship #145
Please use this worship folder as you watch the Facebook Live worship
livestream. Visit the Living Hope Facebook page to join in. If you were unable to
tune in live at 10:00AM on Sunday you can still watch the worship video on the
homepage of livinghopechatt.com
Show friends where you’re livestreaming and finding hope today —check in!
/livinghopechatt
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Arranged by All Sons and Daughters
You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore, ev'ry heart that is broken And great are You Lord Chorus It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore, ev'ry heart that is broken And great are You Lord Chorus It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only Bridge X3 And all the earth will shout Your praise Our hearts will cry these bones will sing Great are You Lord
Chorus X2 It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise It's Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only Keyboard/Vocals—Jessica Stoens; Guitar—Mitchell Beckman
OPENING SONG—Great Are You Lord
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Feel free to read the bolded portions out loud with pastor.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Minister: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, (+) and of the Holy Spirit.
Congregation: Amen.
CONFESSION + ABSOLUTION M: Let us confess our sins to the Lord.
C: Almighty God, merciful Father, I, a troubled and repentant sinner,
confess that I have sinned against you in my thoughts, my words, and my actions.
I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved others as I should.
I am distressed by the sins that trouble me and am deeply sorry for them.
M: Jesus’ death paid for the guilt of your sins and the sins of the whole world.
He said to his people, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.”
Because of the promise of our Savior Jesus, I forgive you all your sins.
Be assured that you are a dear child of God and an heir of eternal life!
C: Amen.
In every worship service we confess our sins then cling to the forgiveness that Jesus gives us. Confession is called the “heartbeat of the Christian.”
The name of the Triune God and sign of the cross remind worshipers of their baptisms.
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PRAYER OF THE DAY M: O God, you form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you
command and desire what you promise, that among the many changes and troubles of this
world, our eyes may be fixed on the everlasting joys of heaven; through your Son, Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
GOD’S WORD
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON___ Job 1:13-22 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest
brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the don-
keys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the
servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell
from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has
escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans
Formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They
put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and
daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a
mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed
on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the
ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. NIV
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PSALM 116:7-13 “Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. 8 For you, O Lord,
have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may
walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
10 I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 And in my dismay I said, “All
men are liars.” 12 How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of
salvation and call on the name of the Lord. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of
all his people.”
GOSPEL John 16:16-24
16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little
while you will see me.”
17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In
a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see
me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a
little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”
19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you ask-
ing one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and
then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and
mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman
giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she
forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you:
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take
away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Fa-
ther will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for any-
thing in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. NIV
The gospel of our Lord. Praise be to Christ.
CHILDREN ’S MESSAGE
A short message designed for children that ties in with the sermon.
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SERMON 2 Corinthians 4:13-18
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have
that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because
we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also
raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your
benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may
cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting
away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far out-
weighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
NIV
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VICTORY NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS LIFE
Questions to consider while hearing the sermon:
1. What’s the goal for you in these verses today?
2. Where does our attention tend to be focused?
3. What phrase in these verses sounds insensitive?
4. What’s the tough truth about our natural, outward life on earth?
5. What do our eyes need to be fixed on so we don’t lose heart?
6. What did God also subject himself to in Christ?
7. What does it mean that “God is going to present us to himself?”
8. Fix your eyes on what is greater:
The _________________ is greater than the outward.
The _________________ is greater than the momentary.
The _________________is greater than the seen.
Discussion questions: 1. Name some ways Christians can have their eyes fixed on eternity and yet still be “present” in this life?
2. Let’s explore those “greater than” statements above some more. Choose one of those statements and explain in your own words why you’ve found it to be true.
3. Share some ways you’ve comforted yourself or someone else through hardship in the past.
4. What are some ways we can have ourselves come through this pandemic stronger than ever?
5. Let’s turn back to Psalm 116. How is it true that even a cry of affliction can be spoken in faith?
(Join us virtually for theology on tap Tuesday night—see detail for joining in the announcements section.)
TRUTH — Christ lets us be a glass always full kind of person.
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OFFERING We collect offerings out of thanks for what God has done for us so that we can support Gospel work here and around the world. Thank you for continuing to support Living Hope’s ministry even in this time. We pray that one day soon we can pick up where we left off in our ministry plans. Thank you! Visit the webpage below to donate through Paypal. It’s quick and easy to do.
https://livinghopechatt.com/donate
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
BLESSING M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and give you peace. C: AMEN.
The historical “blessing of Aaron” (Numbers 6:24-26) has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years.
When Jesus’ disciples asked him how to pray he gave them the words of this prayer. (Matt. 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4) Since Jesus advises we pray this way, we say “The Lord’s Prayer” every Sunday.
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WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS, ALL OUR SINS AND GRIEFS TO BEAR! WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO CARRY EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER! OH, WHAT PEACE WE OFTEN FORFEIT, OH, WHAT NEEDLESS PAIN WE BEAR, ALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT CARRY EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER! HAVE WE TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS? IS THERE TROUBLE ANYWHERE? WE SHOULD NEVER BE DISCOURAGED— TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. CAN WE FIND A FRIEND SO FAITHFUL, WHO WILL ALL OUR SORROWS SHARE? JESUS KNOWS OUR EVERY WEAKNESS; TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. ARE WE WEAK AND HEAVY-LADEN, CUMBERED WITH A LOAD OF CARE? PRECIOUS SAVIOR, STILL OUR REFUGE— TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER. DO YOUR FRIENDS DESPISE, FORSAKE YOU? TAKE IT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER! IN HIS ARMS HE’LL TAKE AND SHIELD YOU,
YOU WILL FIND A SOLACE THERE.
Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886 Tune: Arranged and performed by Tracy Fedke
CLOSING SONG—What a Friend We Have in Jesus
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After the service you can confess your faith together as a family or just read the Creed on your own. This is always a good reminder of everything our Triune God does for us. APOSTLES CREED I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He as-
cended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From
there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the
forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Christians have used the Apostles Creed since the first century to unite themselves together and to obey God’s invitation to “confess with our mouth and believe with our hearts” (Romans 10:9). You are invited to share this confession of faith with us but please do not feel obligated if you feel uncomfortable or have more questions.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Upcoming livestream services
Sundays in May—”Victorious” sermon series A victory to share with all people—May 24
Tornado Relief Opportunity—NEW In the coming weeks we’d like to continue playing a part in the tornado relief efforts in the area. We can easily partner with some pre-organized efforts put on by the United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Visit this website to learn more: https://www.ihelpchattanooga.org/need/detail/?need_id=515684 Due to the good turnout for our relief events last week we’d like to schedule another one for this coming Saturday (5-23). We had 5 help on Wednesday and 11 help on Saturday so we’ll stick with the one that the majority of folks could make it to. That being said, visit the ihelpchattanooga.org site listed above to volunteer anytime by signing up individually. If you know you’ll be going a certain date you can text pastor and he can spread the word to others.
Saturday May 23, 9:00am—1:00pm Email [email protected] to let us know you’re planning to be there. We’ll get the team signed up. All you have to do is show up!
Connect with LIVING HOPE
Since we can’t have you fill out a handy connection card please just email pastor at [email protected] to be added to our email update list. We’d love to have you visit worship at Living Hope at Regal Cinemas Hamilton Place when we’re able to once again.
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Foundations Bible Study We all want answers to life’s biggest questions. But the process for finding them often seems a bit intimidating. Where do I even start? How do I read the Bible? Will I even understand it? There’s no better place to start than by jumping into a Foundations Class. Foundations is a class designed to explore the good news that God has for us in his Word and gives an overview of the Christian faith. The class is now being offered via Google Hangouts or Zoom! We can go through the class at your own pace. If you’re stuck at home, now is a great time to take the class if you haven't yet. Email or text: [email protected] 423-933-2452
Bible Study—Theology on Tap—Tuesday, May 19 @ 7:00PM We’re unable to meet in person at Lupi’s for this study now but we’ll keep it going with a virtual format. For this study, each week we take a deeper look at Sundays ser-mon content and discuss how to apply that message to everyday life. We’ll use the discussion questions listed with the sermon to guide our conversation. If you want to join the discussion on Tuesday email [email protected] Or text 423-933-2452 We’ll get you setup with access to the class! And of course feel free to still grab a drink or bite to eat as we have good conversation in a laid-back setting.
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Children’s Sunday School Jennifer Melso is giving children a Sunday school lesson and other at-home ideas for parents to do with their children. If you would like to get your kids involved please email her:
Special Assistance Fund Living Hope has taken some special donations in order to be able to supply some essentials to people in need within our congregation and others we’ve come in con-tact with. If you’d like to inquire about getting some help email: [email protected]. Or if you are self-quarantined and in need of assistance to pick up groceries or other items please contact pastor. We have people willing and able to help or be runners to get you supplies. Now with the tornado doing its damage we’re also looking to help families in need by clearing debris and getting essential supplies.
We’ve also created a Google form you can fill out for yourself or someone you know to get essential aid or cleanup help. Go to our website and hit the link under the section “Tornado Relief.”
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Pastor Eric Melso
423-933-2452
www.livinghopechatt.com
/livinghopechatt
@livinghopechatt
Hope for everyday!
