February 28, 2010

The 2nd Sunday in Lent

 

LAKE OCONEE LUTHERAN CHURCH

A Stephen Ministry Congregation

 

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

Music Director:                                                                  Brad Rudisail

Office Assistant:                                                             Darlene Zenami

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 in 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.

Attendants – NONE

 

Please ask an usher for assistance.

 

 

(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

 

Sing Along

 

Way Beyond The Blue (Do Lord, O Do Lord)
 
CHORUS:
Do Lord, Oh do Lord, Oh do remember me (Oh, Lordy)
(Repeat 2 more times)
Way beyond the blue.
 
I took Jesus as my savior, You take Him, too. (Oh Lordy)
(Repeat 2 more times)
Way beyond the blue.
 
Chorus:
 
I've got a home in glory-land,
That outshines the Sun,
(Repeat 2 more times)
Look a way beyond the blue.
 
Chorus:

 

Welcome

 

The Peace

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

C: And also with you.

 

(Please greet one another in the name of the Lord

and remain standing for the hymn.)

 

Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” bulletin page 10

(To sing harmony, turn to page 790 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:  O God, you see that of ourselves we have no strength.  By your mighty power, defend us from all adversities that may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

 

First Lesson – Jeremiah 26:8-15

 

Psalmody – Psalm 4

P: Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!  You have given me relief when I was in distress.

C: Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

P: O people, how long shall my honor be turned to shame? 

C: How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?

P: But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;

C: the Lord hears when I call to him.

P: Be angry, and do not sin;

C: ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.

P: Offer right sacrifices,

C: and put your trust in the Lord.

P: There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

C: Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”

P: You have put more joy in my heart

C: than they have when their grain and wine abound.

P: In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

C: for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

P: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;

C: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

 

Second Lesson – Philippians 3:17-4:1

 

The Holy Gospel (Please rise) – Luke 13:31-35

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 13th chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

 

(31) At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, ‘Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.’  (32) He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox for me, “Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.  (33) Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed away from Jerusalem.”  (34) Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!  How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!  (35) See, your house is forsaken.  And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

 

P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon: “What Motivates Jesus”

1)  Jesus was _________ directed, not _________ directed.

2)  Jesus was clear about the ___________   __________ of his life.

3)  Jesus stayed focused on the ________ of his life, no matter what was happening around him.

 

Apostles Creed

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

C: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

 

And 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 ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  From thence 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.

 

The Offering

 

Hymn: “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

 

 

Text and Music: Public domain

 

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.”  Special petitions are received from the congregation.)

 

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.

 

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.

 

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:  “In the Cross of Christ I Glory,” bulletin page 11

(To sing harmony, turn to page 427 in the Lutheran Service Book.)

 

The Sending Forth

P: Go in peace and serve the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

 

Postlude

 

 

 

+                   +            +

 

“THANK YOU” to Kris Proper for serving as organist today.

 

The FLOWERS are given by Robert & Kathy Dukes.

 

GOD’S BLESSINGS to those celebrating birthdays this week:  Nancy Stefurak today, Alyce Massey on Monday and Darlene Zenami on Saturday.  And blessings to those celebrating anniversaries this week:  Bob & Greta Hooson today and Martha & Cecil Glenn on Monday.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to our Office Assistant, Darlene Zenami, on the birth of her fourth grandson, Liam Garret Folendore!

 

The BOARD OF CHRISTIAN OUTREACH will be meeting immediately following the service today. The FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE will also meet after the service today.

 

Our CHURCH PHOTO DIRECTORY was taken over three years ago.   Some have moved away, and some have joined us.  Dick Schneider and I will begin working on an updated version.  I will start taking pictures on March 7th and follow-up with each of you for a day other than Sunday (if it works out better for you.)  Further details appear in the March newsletter.  Blessings, Phil Larsen

 

It’s EASTER LILY sign up time again! (Deadline to order is March 21st.)  Please order a lily or two to honor our risen Lord!  The sheet is on the round table.  The cost will be $7 per flower.  If you are giving a plant “in honor of” or “in memory of” someone, please circle the appropriate phrase.  Make checks payable to LOLC, marked “Easter Lily.”  Your remittance should be dropped in the offering plate (and not given to Marcia or Si-Si.)  You may also pay with cash and place in an envelope marked "Easter Lily."  Thank you!

 

Bob & Marcia Elkins are again collecting OLD PHONE BOOKS for recycling as a fund raiser for the school where Bob's daughter teaches.  Please place your old phone books in the box in the narthex.  Thanks!

 

Our LENTEN SOUP SUPPER will be served at 6:30 p.m. this Wednesday and will be followed by a brief devotional service.  Those hosting this week are:

Bonnough, Hilpipre, Martinson, Mulford, Pailer, Piepenbrink

 

STEPHEN MINISTRY would like to thank the entire congregation at LOLC for their prayers concerning our outreach.  We would ask that you be the eyes and ears of Jesus, looking for needs at church, home and work – putting potential care receivers in touch with Stephen leaders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLY WEEK & EASTER

April   1st – 7 p.m., Maundy Thursday Communion service

April   2nd – 7 p.m., Good Friday worship

April   4th - No Bible classes Easter morning

April   4th – 9-9:45 a.m., Easter Breakfast

April   4th10:30 a.m., Easter Communion service

 

WEEKLY CALENDAR:

Monday              Quilt Guild Set-up

                           Weight Watchers, 4:30 p.m.

                           Exercise Group, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday              Elders Meeting, 8:30 a.m.

                           Quilt Guild, 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday         Quilt Guild Class, 9 a.m.

                           Soup Supper, 6:30 p.m.

Next Sunday       Choir Practice, 9 a.m.

                           Youth Bible Study, 9 a.m.

                           Adult Bible Study, 9 a.m.

                           Church Service, 10:30 a.m.

 


Hymn: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

 

5

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before Him!
    Let the Amen
    Sound from His people again;
Gladly forever adore Him!

 

 

Text and Music: Public domain

 


Hymn:  “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”

 

 

 

Text and Music: 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.