SERVING THE LORD MEANS (Mark 9 : 30 - 37)

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading – Palm 61, Page 136 (Front Of Hymnal)

Song By Younger Children -“I Am Jesus' Little Lamb” (Hymn 648)
(Director: Mikki Aymond; Accompanist: Laura Karow)

Opening Hymn 797 (Supplement) - “ Sing Praise To The God...”

The Order of Service – The Supplement (Pages 1-4)

Scripture Reading - Is. 49 :1-7 -The Apostles Creed (Supp Page 15)

Hymn: “The Only Son From Heaven”

The Sermon ................... Mark 9 : 30 - 37

(Text Printed On Back Of Bulletin)

SERVING THE LORD MEANS

1. Appreciating The Service The Lord's Servant Rendered
2. Reflecting His Love In Service To Him & One Another

The “Create In Me” (Supplement, Page 6)

Hymn: “O Christ,Who Called The Twelve”
(Text For This & Last Hymn: Adapted From Words By H Stuempfle)

1. O Christ, Who taught the Twelve The Truth for ages sealed,
Whose words and works awakened faith, The ways of God revealed.
Instruct us now, we pray, By Your empow'ring Word.
True Teacher, be for all who seek Their Light, their Life, their Lord.

2. O Christ,Who sent the Twelve On roads they'd never trod,
To serve, to suffer, teach, proclaim The saving reign of God.
Send us to help where faith Reflects humility,
Where love prevails and hope sustains Both life and ministry.

3. O Christ, th'apostles' Lord, The faithfuls' Strength and Song,
The crucified and risen King To Whom the saints belong.
Though generations pass, Our tribute still we bring,
Our hymns a sacrifice of praise, Our lives an offering.

Our Gifts The Lord's Kingdom

Our Prayers And Our Lord's Benediction

Closing Hymn: “You Came To Earth, O Christ, As Lord”
(Melody: Hymn 22)

1. You came to earth, O Christ, as Lord, But pow'r You laid aside,
You lived Your years in servanthood; In lowliness You died.

2. No golden scepter but a towel You place within the hands
Of those who seek to follow You And live by Your commands.

3. You bid us bend our human pride Nor count ourselves above
The lowest place, the meanest task That waits the gift of love.

4. Lord, help us walk Your servant way Wherever love may lead
And bending low, forgetting self, Each serve the other's need.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WITH WHAT SHALL I COME BEFORE THE LORD ? (Micah 6 : 6 - 8)

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Order of Worship:

THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY
January 24, 2010 9:00 a.m.

For Pre-Service Reading: Psalm 30, Page 129 (Front Of Hymnal)

Choir Carol: “A Child is Born In Bethlehem”

A Child is born in Bethlehem. Alleluia! Exult for joy, Jerusalem! Alleluia! Our feeble flesh & His the same, Alleluia! Our sinless kinsmen He became, Alleluia! That we from deadly thrall set free, Alleluia! Like Him, and so like God, should be. Come then, and on this natal day,Alleluia! Rejoice before the Lord & pray. Alleluia!

Opening Hymn 138 (V 1-4) -“Thou Light Of Gentile Nations”

The Invocation And Responsive Confessional Psalm 51

P: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
C: Wash me throughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

P: Against you, You only, have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight.
C: Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; Let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

P: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your Presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
C: Restore to me the joy of thy salvation and uphold me by Your right Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Your ways and sinners will be converted to You.

P: O Lord,open Thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
C: My tongue shall sing of Your righteousness.

P: You do not desire sacrifice or else I would give it; You do not delight
in burnt offering.
C: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit – A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

P: Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
C: Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness and with burnt offerings.

Sing: O Savior, precious Savior, Whom, yet unseen we love;
O Name of might and favor, All other names above,
We worship Thee, we bless Thee, To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee, our holy Lord and King.

O Bringer of salvation, Who wondrously hast wrought
Thyself the revelation Of Love beyond our thought,
We worship Thee, we bless Thee, To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee and confess Thee, Our gracious Lord and King.

The Scripture Reading – Galatians 3: 6 – 14
(Like Abraham, righteousness before God comes to us as Epiphany Gentiles as well not through the Law, but only through faith in Christ Jesus)

The Apostles Creed

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 Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; The third day He
rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 156 - “Not All The Blood Of Beasts”

The Sermon ........................... Micah 6 : 6 - 8

With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with year-old calves? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams and rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the offspring of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To have righteousness and to love mercy and to walk humbly before your God.

WITH WHAT SHALL I COME BEFORE THE LORD ?

1. Nothing In My Hands I Bring
2. Simply To Thy Cross I Cling

Hymn 376 - “Rock Of Ages”

Our Gifts And Prayers & Our Lord's Benediction

Hymn 134 (V 1 & 5) -“Songs Of Thankfulness And Praise”


Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

CLAY IN THE POTTER'S HANDS (Jeremiah 18 : 1 - 10)

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Order of Worship:

For Pre-Service Reading – Palm 33, Page 131 (Front Of Hymnal)

Song By Choir - “Sing To The Holy Child”
(Director: Cathy Augustin; Accompanist: Heather Schierenbeck)

Sing to the holy Child in the manger, Glory to God above! Born is the mighty King in the manger, Sing to the Lord of love! Praise Him forever, sing we together! Praise Him with singing, hear voices ringing, Alleluia! Angels adore the Child in the manger, Glory to God above! All come before the Lord in the manger, sing to the Lord of love! Praise Him forever, sing we together! Praise Him with singing, hear voices ringing. Sing Alleluia! Lift high a joyful song of praise, Rejoice with singing all our days. Christ the Lord came down to earth, Let all proclaim the blessed birth; High above the star shines bright where peace and love were brought that night. Sing with joy, Alleluia! Sing to the holy Child! Sing to the holy Child in the manger, Glory to God above! Praise the King of peace and love!

Opening Hymn 132 (V 1-3) - “O God Of God, O Light Of Light”

The Order of Service (Hymnal: Pages 5- 9 As Written)

The Scripture Reading - Psalm 66

The Apostles Creed (Hymnal, Page 12)

Hymn 19 (V 1-4) - “All Praise To God who Reigns Above”


The Sermon ................. Jeremiah 18 : 1 - 10

This is the Word of the Lord to Jeremiah: “Go down to the potter's house.” So I went and saw the potter working at the wheel But the pot he was shaping from clay was marred in his hands; So the potter formed it into another pot, shaping as it seemed best to him. Then the Lord's Word came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? Like clay in the potter's hands, so are you in Mine. If I warn a nation or kingdom that it will be destroyed, and if it then repents, I will relent and not inflict judgment upon it. And if I declare that a nation or kingdom is to be built up, and it does evil in My sight, I will reconsider the good I had planned to do for it.”

CLAY IN THE POTTER'S HANDS

1. Humbling
2. Reassuring

Hymn: “Splendor and Honor”

Our Gifts The Lord's Kingdom

Our Prayers And Our Lord's Benediction

The Children's Message: Hands Are Amazing

Closing Hymn 136 -“Angels From The Realms Of Glory”


Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Lessons to be Learned from Simeon's Outlook (Luke 2:25-35)

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Order of Worship:

Sermon Theme: Lessons to be Learned from Simeon's Outlook
Text: Luke 2:25-35 (New King James Version)
(Our thanks to Immanuel, Mankato Professor Douglas Libby for sharing the Ephiphany Gospel with us)

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 “ Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

SEE GOD PROTECT CHRISTMAS (Matthew 2: 12 - 23)

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Order of Worship:

EPIPHANY SUNDAY
Saturday, January 2, 2010 – 7:00 p.m. & Sunday, January 3 – 9:00 a.m.

Responsive Reading – Palm 47, Page 134 (Front Of Hymnal)

Song By Choir Men - “Seeking The Savior”

From lands afar they have journeyed, following the star that shone so bright; Seeking the promised King of Israel, onward they traveled day and night. Seeking the Savior, the promised Messiah, seeking the Savior, the Child Who is King. Strong the desire that had brought them. Long, weary miles their feet had trod, till in the little town of Bethlehem, There they beheld the Son of God. Worshiping the infant King of Israel, joyfully they bowed before Him there. Precious these moments as they worshiped Him, offering their gifts of gold and myrrh. Promised Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, How we adore you, our Savior and Lord, Savior and Lord.

Opening Hymn 715 (Supp) - “Where Shepherds Lately Knelt”

The Invocation And Epiphany Scripture – Matthew 2: 1 - 11
(The Wise Men From Afar Visit And Worship The ChristChild)

1. As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold;
As with joy they hailed its light, Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most gracious Lord, may we Evermore be led by Thee!

2. As with joyful steps they sped, Savior to Thy lowly bed,
There to bend the knee before Thee Whom heav'n and earth adore,
So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy seat.

3. Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way;
And,when earthly things are past,Bring our ransomed souls at last
Where they need no star to guide, Where no clouds Thy glory hide.

The Nicene Creed (Hymnal, Page 22)

The Sermon .................... Matthew 2: 12 - 23

And, having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, the Magi returned to their country by another way. When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up”, he said, “take the Child and His mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” So he got up, took the Child and His mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said: “Get up, take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the province of Galilee and went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

SEE GOD PROTECT CHRISTMAS

The Responsive Reading Of Psalm 2

P: Why do the nations conspire and the people plot in vain?
C: The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather
together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.

P: “Let us break their chains”, they say, “and throw off their fetters.”
C: He Who sits in the heavens laughs; The Lord scoffs at them.
Then He rebukes them in His anger and terrifies them in His
wrath, saying, “I have established my King on Zion, My holy hill.

P: I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; He said to Me: “You are My
Son; Today I have become Your Father. Ask of Me and I will give You
all the nations of the earth as your possession. You will rule them with
an iron scepter and dash them to pieces like pottery.
C: Therefore, be wise, inhabitants of the earth. Serve the Lord with
fear and rejoice with awe. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and you
be destroyed. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

Song: “Herod The King”
(Melody: The Coventry Carol)

Herod the king in his raging, God's infant Son would slay;
Through evil guile with heart so vile, all Beth'lem babes his prey.

To Joseph went, an angel sent, to warn them they must flee;
When safe return, for they must learn God's mighty hand to see.

In all their ire, the kings conspire To thwart God's anointed,
Their plans shall fail, Our God prevail Our vict'ry appointed.

Lord, now assure, keep us secure, From every evil foe.
Your own defend on every hand, That we Your love may know.

O mighty Lord, now thru Your Word Your love & strength extend,
O God and King, Of Thee we sing; All praise to Thee. Amen.

The Offering - “Where Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”
(Flute: Sarah Tester & Leah Hallstein; Clarinet – Nate Rehm)

Our Confession Of Sins

C: Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne confessing our many sins and spiritual failings, many of which were not absent in this holy season. Despite our best intentions, we continue to stumble and fall in our thoughts and feelings, our attitudes and words, in our lives and activities. We seek Your mercy, which You have promised not to withhold from the contrite heart. Forgive us for the sake of Your Son, Who came to earth to rescue and redeem us. In Him we believe and trust and find Your forgiving love and mercy – our Christmas and Epiphany Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Absolution And Consecration Of The Sacramental Elements

The Distribution Of Holy Communion (Hymns 717 & 711)

(As an expression of the unity of our faith and belief, we practice “Close” or “Closed” Communion, asking only those who are confirmed members of Berea or of the CLC to come forward. Any with questions or seeking a church home may speak with Pastor.)

The Lord's Prayer And Benediction

Closing Hymn 714 (Supplement)-“Break Forth....”

Silent Prayer And Announcements

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.