September 7, 2008

The 17th Sunday after Pentecost

 

LAKE OCONEE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Our vision is to be

an expanding community of faith, growing in the Holy Spirit,

and practicing before the world a Christ centered life.

 

Missionaries:                                                         All the people of God

Pastor:                                                                            Ron Schornhorst

Assistant to the Pastor:                                                           Phil Larsen

Director of Music:                                                              Brad Rudisail

Office Assistant:                                                       Darlene Simmemon

Church Office: 706-485-4600                  Pastor’s Home: 706-484-9855

1089 Lake Oconee Parkway                                   Eatonton, GA 31024

lolc@plantationcable.net                                                   www.lolc.info

 

Aids for hearing, children’s “activity bulletins,”

and large print bulletins are available from the ushers.


 

A nursery room

for mothers and their infants is available.

 

Also, child care for older children

is available 10:15-11:45 in Classroom B.

Attendant – Char Larsen

Please ask an usher for assistance.

 

 

(A good preparation for Holy Communion

is found on pages 329-330 in our Lutheran Service Book.)

 

(The congregation is often greeted with, “This is the day the Lord has made.”  You are invited to respond, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 

The greeting is from Psalm 118:24.)

 

During the Call to Worship and Welcome,

the person seated closest to the center aisle is asked to take

 the Record of Fellowship book, sign it, and pass it to others in the row.

The last person to sign is asked to pass the book back.

 

Call to Worship

 

Welcome

 

The Peace

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And also with you.

 

(You are invited to wish those around you God’s peace.

And then please remain standing for the hymn.)

 

Hymn: “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling,” bulletin page 10

(To sing harmony, turn to page 650 in the Lutheran Service Book.)

 

Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

 

 

Confession and Absolution

P: 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 meditation and reflection)

 

P: Most merciful God,

C: we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean.  We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed.  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.

P: Upon this, your confession, I, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God to all of you. And in the stead and by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.  Thanks be to God.

 

Prayer of the Day

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: We pray together: 

C: Amen.

 

First Lesson – Ezekiel 33:7-9

 

Second Lesson – Romans 13:1-10

 

Alleluia Verse (Please stand to sing)

    Al – le – lu –  ia. Lord, to whom shall we go?             You   have the

words of   e –ter –nal   life.            Al –le –lu –ia,     al –le –lu   - ia.

 

The Holy Gospel – Matthew 18:10-20

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 18th chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

 

(Jesus said,) (10) “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.  (11) For the Son of man came to save the lost.  (12) What do you think?  If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?  (13) And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.  (14) So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.  (15) If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.  If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.  (16) But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  (17) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.  (18) Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.  (19) Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.  (20) For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

 

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Choir Anthem

 

Sermon

 

Confession of Faith – The Nicene Creed

P: We confess together the faith we hold and the faith we share:

C: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

 

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried.  And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father.  And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

 

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

 

The Prayers

P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.

 

(After the pastor ends each petition with, “Lord, in your mercy,” the congregation responds with, “Hear our prayer.”)

 

P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

C: Amen.

 

The Offering

 

We invite to the Lord’s Supper all Christians who are baptized, who have communed in a Christian church, and who share our Lutheran understanding that, along with the bread and wine, we receive the body and blood of our living Lord Jesus – for the strengthening of our faith and witness.  Children who do not commune are invited to come for a blessing.  Pastor asks that they fold their hands to show that they are not communing.

 

The Sacrament of Holy Communion

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 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:

 

         Ho -  ly,   ho  - ly,       ho   -   ly!       All    the  saints   a     -  dore  Thee,

      Cast – ing down their  gold–en crowns a   - round the glass -y      sea;

     Cher– u – bim and    ser –a –phim       fall -   ing down   be  -  fore    Thee,

      Which      wert  and     art       and        ev  -   er  -  more     shalt    be.

 

Holy, holy, holy!  Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye made blind by sin Thy glory may not see,

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

 

Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

 

The Words of Institution

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 sins.  Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

P: We pray together:

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 Distribution

(The glasses in the very center of each tray contain grape juice for those who are not able to drink wine.)

 

Post Communion Prayer

P: We pray together:

C: We give thanks to you, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through this salutary gift.  And we implore you that, of your mercy, you would strengthen us through the same in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever.  Amen.

 

Announcements

 

The Benediction  (Numbers 6:24-26)

P: 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 give you peace.

C: Amen.

 

Hymn: “Christ Be My Leader,” bulletin page 11

(To sing harmony, turn to page 861 in the Lutheran Service Book.)

 

The Sending Forth

P: Go in peace and serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

 

Post-service Music

 

+              +               +

 

The FLOWERS are given today by Jean Vincent in memory of

Harold.

 

GOD’S BLESSINGS to those celebrating birthdays this week: 

Andrew Robinson and Evan Hitchcock on Monday and Kathy

Matthews on Saturday.  And blessings to those celebrating anniversaries this week:  Ann & Davis Mortensen and Ken & Connie Piepenbrink on Wednesday.

 

PUTT-PUTT & PIZZA – After church on September 14th (next Sunday), there will be a putt-putt golf outing for all Sunday School children, their parents, teachers and the students’ guests.  Immediately after church, we will all meet at Gusto Golf on Hwy. 44 for a round of golf, pizza and fellowship!

 

Phil Larsen's ADULT INQUIRERS CLASS begins next Sunday at 9:15 a.m.  All interested are welcome!

 

Desperately seeking VOLUNTEERS!  We need volunteers in the following areas:  Coffee Hour Volunteers for the remainder of the 2008 year; Greeters for this month and remaining months of this year; Ushers needed for October and December; Altar Care volunteers needed for November and December; and Nursery Workers needed in October, November and December.  (Sign-up sheets are on the round table in the back of the sanctuary.)  Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers! 

A YARD SALE in support of MOPS will be held here on Saturday, October 11th.  More info will be available as the day draws nearer.  Plenty of volunteers will be needed.  NOTE: Do not bring any items into church until after the service on October 5th.  Space at church for storage is very, very limited.

 

LOVING HANDS QUILTERS will be hosting a Blanket Day here at our church on October 18th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  We will need to furnish lunch for about 60 to 80 people, so some help with food is appreciated.  Also needed will be set-up help (on Friday) and clean up and setting up the sanctuary for church (Saturday after the meeting.)  We are grateful for all help!  Much love and thanks!  Please contact either Lillian Blosser, 706-467-3263, or Wanda Wilson, 706-485-9633.

 

WEEKLY CALENDAR:

Monday            Alzheimers Caregivers, 1 p.m.

Tuesday           Elders Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

                        Loving Hands Quilters, 10 a.m.

Thursday          Exercise Class, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday            Men's Breakfast, 8 a.m.

Sunday            Choir Practice, 9 a.m.

                        Confirmation Class, 9 a.m.

                        Sunday School, 9:15 a.m.

                        Adult Inquirers Class, 9:15 a.m.

                        Church Service, 10:30 a.m.

                        Blood Pressure Check, 11:30 a.m.

                        Putt-putt/Pizza Outing, 11:30 a.m.


Hymn: “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling”

 

 

 

 

 

Text and Tune: Public domain

 


Hymn: “Christ Be My Leader”

 

 

 

 

 

Text: © 1964, renewed 1992 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License .NET, number 100010599.

Tune: Public domain

 


 

 

 

OUR VALUES AS A CONGREGATION

 

Word and Sacrament –

…believing in and making faithful and frequent use of the Bible, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper as the means by which God gives and sustains faith, and empowers and strengthens us for Christian living.

 

Christian Education –

…providing quality, Bible based instruction to foster greater understanding of God’s Word and better equipping members for their discipleship in Jesus Christ.

 

Evangelism –

…reaching out to others, by word and deed, to join in the sharing of God’s blessings and grace, which is free to all believers.

 

Stewardship –

…fully utilizing our time, talents, and resources to serve and love the Lord, furthering our commission of discipleship.

 

Fellowship –

…caring for and sharing with our church family, fostering greater love, understanding, and concern for the well being (physical and spiritual) of all brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.

 

 

The window behind the altar is our EASTER SUNRISE WINDOW.  The cross hanging in front of the window is an empty cross, reminding us that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive now, to be with us here and always.  Every Sunday is a celebration of Easter.  The symbol on the front of the ALTAR is a combination of two Greek letters – the “chi” which looks like our English “x” and the “rho” which looks like our “p.”  In the Greek, these are the first two letters of “Christ.”  Combined as they are, they suggest the cross.  Superimposed on the cross is a heart, the reminder that God’s love for us is the reason Jesus died on the cross.  God’s love for us empowers us to share his love with others.