The Service in PDF format is at: February 18, 2024 Service
Video of service is at: YouTube
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.
Offering. Peace Lutheran Church understands and teaches that Offerings are voluntary and to be from the heart. Whether we give or do not give does not determine our salvation. Whether we give much or little does not determine our standing before God. Sharing an Offering is an opportunity to quietly practice generosity with our neighbors.
Serving You
Pastor Pastor Jeremy Lucke
Music Director Colleen Schulze
Choir Director Diane Crocker
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, Callie Santora, Caleb Santora, Rick Durling, Joyce Long, Oscar Gutbrod, Sam Worth, Jim Holroyd, Debbi Weiler, Daniel Dusek
Praise Team Rick Durling, Patrick Kamins, Karyn Stanley, Nora Stanley, Diane Crocker, Kaia Lucke, Sarah Grassel, Caleb Santora
Today, February 18, 2024
Musician Colleen Schulze
Reader Margaret Phillpott
Flowers Lindy Young
AS WE GATHER………… “Here am I.” This is the simple, yet faith-filled, response of Abraham as the Lord calls him. Not knowing what the Lord will call him to do, but simply trusting the Word of the Lord. Abraham says, “Here am I.” As we look through the pages of Scripture those same three little words, “Here am I,” are echoed by others: Jacob, Moses, and Samuel—to name just a few. As people who the Lord has called in Baptism, may we also answer with the same faith-filled response, “Here am I!” We may not always know where God will lead, but we do know that the One who has called us will be with us as we follow where He guides.
Leader: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Leader: Forgive us for all that we have thought and said and done that is contrary to Your will and Your ways, and forgive us for times we have trusted in our own righteousness instead of relying on Your grace in Christ Jesus, our Redeemer.
People: Have mercy on us and forgive us, O God.
Leader: Forgive us for times we have not been good stewards of Your great creation and for times we have been unwilling to help our neighbors as we ought.
People: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Your steadfast love. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us.
Leader: Upon this your confession and by the command of our Lord, I, a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
OPENING SONG “Here I Am, Lord”
Text: Isaiah 6; Dan Schutte, b. 1947 Tune: Dan Schutte, b. 1947; arr. by Michael Pope, SJ, and John Weissrock; ©1981, OCP Publications
I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin
my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
Chorus: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.
I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?
Chorus
Leader: O Lord God, Your Son was tempted in the wilderness and overcame.
People: When we encounter trial and temptation, lead us to look to Your perfect Son, that in Him we would have forgiveness and hope;
Leader: through Jesus, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSONS
Old Testament: Genesis 22:1-18
Abraham prepares to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.
22 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together.
9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
12 He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” 15 And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven
16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,
18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
Reader: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God!
Jesus is tempted by Satan.
Leader: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the first chapter.
People: Glory to You, O Lord.
Leader: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when He came up out of the water, immediately He saw the heavens opening the Spirit descending on Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven,
People: “You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.”
Leader: The Spirit immediately drove Him out into the wilderness. And He was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to Him. Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying,
People: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Leader: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON HYMN “On Eagles’ Wings”
Words & Music by Michael Joncas; 1971 by William J. Gaither, The Fellowship Publication, Edina, MN
You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord,
“My refuge, my Rock in whom I trust.
Chorus: And He will raise you up on eagle wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His hand.
The snare of the fowler
will never capture you,
and famine will bring you no fear
under His wings your refuge,
His faithfulness your shield.
Chorus
You need not fear the terror of the night,
not the arrow that flies by day,
though thousands fall about you,
near you it shall not come.
Chorus
For to His angels He’s given a command
To guard you in all of your ways;
Upon their hands they will bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Chorus
SERMON
Pastor Jeremy Lucke
People: 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 at 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.
OFFERING
We offer our thanksgiving for what God has first given us – ourselves, our time, our possessions.
Installation of new Church Council
Leader: In peace let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For the gift of divine peace and of pardon, with all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For the holy Christian Church, here and scattered throughout the world, and for the proclamation of the Gospel and the calling of all to faith, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For this nation, for our cities and communities, and for the common welfare of us all, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For seasonable weather and for the fruitfulness of the earth, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For those who labor, for those whose work is difficult or dangerous, and for all who travel, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For all those in need, for the hungry and homeless, for the widowed and orphaned, and for all those in prison, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For the sick and dying and for all those who care for them, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: For . . . [additional bids for prayer may be inserted here] . . . let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Finally, for these and for all our needs of body and soul, let us pray to the Lord:
People: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.
CHORAL ANTHEM “Come Find Forgiveness and Love”
Music by Don Besig, Words by Don Besig and Nancy Price; Copyright 2010 Lorenz Publishing Company, a division of the Lorenz Corporation.
Come to the table, Jesus is there.
Come to the banquet the Lord has prepared.
Bring all your troubles, each worry and care.
Come find forgiveness and love.
.
Come to the table, Jesus is near.
Come now, for Jesus is near.
Come feel His presence surrounding you here.
Lay down your burdens, your sorrow and fear.
.
Come find forgiveness and love.
The bread has been broken,
the cup has been poured,
and now they are offered to you.
.
The promise is spoken and hope is restored.
You are redeemed. All is made new.
Come to the table, all who believe.
Come and remember, His grace makes you free.
Cherish this moment, this give you receive.
Come find forgiveness and love.
.
Softly and tenderly, Jesus invites us,
touching each heart and each soul.
Now in communion, our Savior unites us,
Cleansing and making us whole.
Come take the bread,
Come share the cup.
Come find forgiveness and love.
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
DISTRIBUTION HYMNS
Text: Negro spiritual; Tune: Negro spiritual
Let us break bread together
on our knees,
Let us break bread together
on our knees;
When I fall on my knees
With my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me!
.
Let us drink wine together
on our knees,
Let us drink wine together
on our knees;
When I fall on my knees
With my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me!
.
Let us bow ’round the altar
on our knees,
Let us bow ’round the altar
on our knees;
When I fall on my knees
With my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me!
.
Let us praise God together
on our knees,
Let us praise God together
on our knees;
When I fall on my knees
With my face to the rising sun,
Oh Lord, have mercy on me!
Jeffrey Rickard; Words: Public Domain; Music: 1994 Selah Publishing Company, Inc.
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river,
I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
.
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean,
I’ve got love like an ocean in my soul.
.
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain,
I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul.
Leader: 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.
People: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
Dick Grout; Frederick Henry Hedge; Martin Luther; Words: Public Domain ; Music: 2015 Grout, Dick
A mighty fortress is our God,
A sword and shield victorious;
He breaks the cruel oppressor’s rod
And wins salvation glorious.
.
The old satanic foe
Has sworn to work us woe!
With craft and dreadful might
He arms himself to fight.
On earth he has no equal.
.
God’s Word forever shall abide,
No thanks to foes, who fear it;
For God himself fights by our side
With weapons of the Spirit.
.
Were they to take our house,
Goods, honor, child, or spouse,
Though life be wrenched away,
They cannot win the day.
The Kingdom’s ours forever!
Leader: Go in peace! Serve the Lord!
People: Thanks be to God!
Announcements
FLOWERS. The new flower chart for 2024 is up in the narthex on the bulletin board. Consider signing up and providing flowers for the altar. If you have any questions, see Carole Gutbrod.
Midweek Lenten Services. The midweek services continue this Wednesday. Soup supper will start at 5:00pm and the service will start at 6:00pm.
SOUP SUPPER SIGN UP. Thank you so very much to everyone who volunteered to bring soup, bread, and cookies to our Soup/Supper. Lists of who volunteered to bring items are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall and on the cupboards in the kitchen.
When you bring your items to church, please arrive at 4:45 p.m. as Soup/Supper starts at 5 p.m. with our church service at 6 p.m. Crockpots can go on the serving tables in the Fellowship Hall. Instructions on your responsibilities are posted on the bulletin board and the kitchen cupboards.
Everything is self-serve and self-cleanup which means everyone is responsible for taking their dishes to the kitchen. Please clean your area if you spill.
If you have questions, please let Sally know. We are so grateful for your help and your generosity is well noted.
This week the following people will provide the meal:
- Soup: Jani Burton, Holly Bendixen, Charla Koeppe, Ruth Moser.
- Bread & Butter: Kay Glathar & Lynn Reams
- Cookies: Lindy Young
SEDER MEAL CELEBRATION AND SIGN-UP. Our celebration of the Seder Meal will be Thursday, March 28 at 6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. This is not a meal rather a remembrance of the foods that the Jewish people used to remind them of their exodus from slavery from the Egyptian pharaohs. We encourage you to eat before you come. After the Seder, we will join Pastor in going to the Sanctuary for Holy Communion.
To provide adequate seating and food samples, please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board located in the hall to the Fellowship room. Please take a reminder ticket if you like. We also need participants to provide items for the Seder meal. Please sign up for the items you can provide on the list posted on the bulletin board. All items are to be brought to the kitchen and labeled for the Seder service by March 21. Please let Peggy, Ellen or Janette know if you would like to help with the set-up, food preparations or clean-up for the Seder celebration; we will need you. Peggy Krueger, Ellen Holroyd, and Janette Payne.
Book Swap/Author Talk: Mark your calendar – Saturday, April 13 at 11:00 am- 12:30pm. This is a free event for the ladies of Peace as well as any friends/community members or interested parties. See Diane for any questions.
