The Service in PDF format is at: September 12, 2021 Service
Video of service is at: Facebook Video
Peace Lutheran Church
We welcome you in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are honored with your presence. If you do not have a church home, you are invited to join us regularly. Please introduce yourself to Pastor Jeremy Lucke or one of the Ushers as you leave today and sign the guest book in the entryway. We continue to observe the guidelines for health safety. If you have any questions, please see an usher. Everyone is welcome.
The ringing of the bell and the lighting of the Christ candle mark the beginning of our service and a time for quiet meditation, prayer and inward reflection as we begin our worship.
Children are welcome at our worship services. If you prefer, Peace Lutheran has a playroom equipped for children three years old and younger. The room is unstaffed and can be accessed in the fellowship hall where the service is also being live streamed for your convenience and enjoyment.
Holy Communion is celebrated every first and third Sunday and will follow the order of service in the bulletin. If you are a baptized Christian and share our faith in Jesus as Savior and have been instructed in the meaning and use of the Lord’s Supper, you are invited to partake. We have pre-wrapped communion wine or juice and wafers. We also have gluten-free wafers available. If you desire a gluten-free wafer, ask the server. May the body and blood of Jesus, present in the bread and wine, be a blessing to you.
There are times during the service when you will be asked to stand if you are able. Please feel free to remain seated if standing is difficult.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Dan Johnson
Supt. Of Sunday School Brandy Stokes & Karyn Stanley
Admin Assistant Daniel Dusek
Parish Nurse Kathy Durling
Webmaster Jim Holroyd
Audio-Visual Johnathon Holroyd, George Abele, Nicholas Abele, Merv Munster, Haley Bentsen, Caleb Santora, Joyce Long, Aaron Bentsen, Oscar Gutbrod, Reese Grube, Rick Durling, Ingrid Hellesto, Jim Holroyd
Today, September 19, 2021
Musician Callie Santora
Ushers Joe & Janette Payne
Flowers Carole Gutbrod
Communion Janette Payne
AS WE GATHER… In case you haven’t noticed… We are living in the digital age. Although technological and communication advancements in recent years have been impressive, it has left us isolated. Face to face friendships have been replaced with online friendships. In online relationships, you can keep others at a distance, connect on your own time, at the level you choose, and bail whenever you want. Today we are challenged to take on Jesus’ habit of committing to community. How has being in Christian community been a blessing to you?
Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
WE CONFESS
Pastor: Since we are gathered to our Lord Jesus in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people, let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
People: For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.
Pastor: Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SONG OF CONFIDENCE “Jesus Loves Me” (TOSB 114)
By: Anna B. Warner, alt. & Wm. B. Bradbury© 1971 by William J. Gaither. The Fellowship Publications Edina, MN 55435
Jesus loves me – this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong –
They are weak, but He is strong.
Chorus: Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me – loves me still,
Though I’m very weak and ill;
That I might from sin be free,
Bled and died upon the tree.
Chorus
Jesus loves me – He who died,
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in!
Chorus
Jesus loves me – He will stay
Close beside me all the way,
Though hast bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for thee.
Chorus
Pastor: Let us Pray. Lord Jesus, at times we fear that You are far away from us.
People: Forgive us for doubting Your presence, and give us confidence that our redeemer and vindicator is always near;
Pastor: for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
People: Amen.
scripture lessons
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in whichhe went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, becausethey formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water.Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Reader: This is the Gospel of the Lord
People: Praise to You O Christ
SERMON HYMN “They’ll Know We Are Christians”
Text: Words: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 The Lorenz Corporation – Music: 1966 F.E.L. Publications. Assigned 1991 The Lorenz Corporation
We are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit,
we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity
may one day be restored:
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians
by our love.
We will walk with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other,
we will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news
that God is in our land:
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians
by our love All praise to the Father,
from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus,
his only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit,
who makes us one.
Chorus: And they’ll know we are Christians
by our love, by our love,
Yes they’ll know we are Christians
by our love
SERMON
“Time Alone -Time Together”
People: I have faith in God, in response to overwhelming love… I believe that God created me and all that I have, and has given to me gifts beyond measure.
I have faith in Jesus, who emptied Himself out of His love for me… I believe that Christ died on a cross for my sin, conquered death and the power of evil, and was raised to life on the third day. His death is mine, His resurrection is mine, new life is mine because of Jesus’ words and work.
I believe in the Holy Spirit in response to overwhelming love. I believe that the Holy Spirit is present here among us and lives within each person. The Spirit continues to call people by the Gospel, and created and builds the church of Christ. Through the power of the Spirit I have power to stand in strength and against all adversity. I believe that Jesus is preparing a place for me and will come again to take each of us to be with Him. Amen.
Pastor: Let us pray for the nations around the world, the church wherever it is found, and for ourselves here in this place.
Pastor: Wherever nations quarrel and plunge toward war, O God, open the ears of their leaders to hear the wisdom from above and pursue peace.
People: Move them to find joy in humble service.
Pastor: Wherever international alliances, national leaders, and groups within society follow the lead of their selfish ambitions at the expense of the downtrodden and forgotten people across borders and in their midst, O God, give both citizens and their leaders heats that are open to reason, full of mercy, impartial and sincere.
People: Grant that peace break out across borders and justice within them.
Pastor: Wherever people respond to illness, accident, injustice, and discrimination, O God, strengthen them to rely on You for protection in all circumstances.
People: Guide them to make decisions in wisdom and to sow righteousness in peace.
Pastor: Whenever our conduct betrays worldly jealousy and selfish ambition, O God, turn our laughter to mourning and our joy to gloom until we recognize Your unending grace.
People: Help us seek to meet the needs of the people around us in humble service.
Pastor: Wherever people call out to You in their distress, (Especially…, O God, visit, relieve, heal, and console them according to Your gracious will.
People: Use as part of Your answers to their fervent prayers.
Pastor: Heavenly Father, hear us and all for whom we pray, as we rely on Your gracious plans for all we need.
People: through Your Son, Jesus, our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Pastor: We declare ourselves to be Easter people.
People: We have come to share in the table that He has prepared for us.
Pastor: He took the bad news of sin and guilt and changed it to good news through His dying and rising for us.
People: We are here to celebrate that Good News and the presence of Christ with us.
Pastor: And He took the bread, blesses it and broke it. He said to His disciples –
People: “Take, eat; this is my body.”
Pastor: Also, He took a cup of wine. After saying thanks, He gave it to them saying –
People: “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant. It is poured out for the forgiveness of sins. Do this to remember me.”
Pastor: We thank You, Lord God, for these elements given in love for us. Accept us, forgive us, and heal us – that we might live lives that are pleasing to You.
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
Pastor: Almighty God, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
People: Amen.
CLOSING SONG “Let All Things Now Living” LBW 557
Katherine Kennicott Davis 1939. Renewed 1966 E.C. Schirmer Music Company (Admin. by ECS Publishing Corporation)
Let all things now living
A song of thanksgiving
To God the Creator triumphantly raise
Who fashioned and made us
Protected and stayed us
Who still guides us on to the end of our days
God’s banners are o’er us
His light goes before us
A pillar of fire shining forth in the night
Till shadows have vanished
And darkness is banished
As forward we travel from light into light
His law He enforces
The stars in their courses
And sun in its orbit obediently shine
The hills and the mountains
The rivers and fountains
The deeps of the ocean proclaim Him divine
We too should be voicing
Our love and rejoicing
With glad adoration a song let us raise
Till all things now living
Unite in thanksgiving
To God in the highest Hosanna and praise
Pastor: Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
Announcements
Fall Bazaar. Mark your calendars for the return of the Fall Bazaar at Peace. It will be held Saturday Nov 6 here at the church. If you have any questions, please contact Jani Burton.
New Member Class. The new member class starts this afternoon at 3:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. The next two classes will be on Sunday September 26 and October 10 at 3:00pm.
Fall Decorations. It’s time to decorate the inside of the church for fall. If you have pumpkins, gourds, or cornstalks that you would be willing to donate, please let Sally Stouder or Colleen Schulze know. They would be happy to come by and pick up whatever you have after you harvest.
COnfirmation Class. Confirmation class will start next Sunday, September 26 at 7:00pm in the fellowship hall. This class will be offered in person and online via Zoom. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Lucke.
Interested in helping with Audio/Visual? We have an outstanding team assembled for our Sound and Audio team at Peace. We are looking to build a deeper bench for help. If you have an interest in helping out, please connect with Oscar. The more we have on the team, the more fun we have together and the more the burden is lifted to cover this important aspect of our ministry.