October 30, 2022
Introit: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Luther/Walther
Karen Bart, cello
Welcome & Call to Worship
[Psalm 65]
Praise is due to you, O God, and to you shall vows be performed,
O you who answer prayer! To you all flesh shall come.
You are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water; you provide the people with grain.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy.
Let us worship the LORD!
God Is Here! (Hymn 461)
Taylor/Green
God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer,
May we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share.
Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts
Wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts.
Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd’s flock and fold,
Here, as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old.
Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore
What it means in daily living to believe and to adore.
Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt
Keep us faithful to the gospel, help us work your purpose out.
Here in this day’s dedication, all we have to give, receive:
We, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!
Confession
God of reversals, your kingdom turns the world’s ideas of power upside down. Forgive us when we desire power over others in ways that do not respect their worth. Forgive us when we grant power to leaders who use or oppress people rather than working for the good of all. Thank you for offering hope in the midst of difficulty and dignity for those the world considers failures. Give us courage to stay true to you, and teach us to serve side by side. Amen.
Silence
Think About His Love
Harrah
Think about His love, think about His goodness,
Think about His grace that’s brought us through.
For as high as the heavens above,
So great is the measure of our Father’s love.
Great is the measure of our Father’s love.
[Psalm 86:5]
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Gloria Patri (Hymn 579)
Greatorex
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
Word without end. Amen, Amen.
Children’s Message
What Wondrous Love (Hymn 85)
American Folk Hymn
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the heavy cross for my soul!
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing,
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing!
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on!
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
Gary Guenther
Old Testament: Isaiah 52:13–53:12
Link Here
New Testament: Matthew 20:25-26
Link Here
Response: In Christ Alone
Getty & Townend
In Christ alone my hope is found.
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
From the Barmen Declaration
Gary Guenther
Sermon: Christ’s Church is to be Independent from Political Power
Together we confess:
The various offices in the Church do not provide a basis for some to exercise authority over others but for the ministry with which the whole community has been entrusted and charged to be carried out.
We reject the false doctrine that, apart from this ministry, the Church could, and could have permission to, give itself or allow itself to be given special leaders vested with ruling authority.
Response: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Hymn 260)
Luther
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he,
Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo! His doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through him who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill, God’s truth abideth still, his kingdom is forever.
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Ann Hall
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. -1 Peter 4:10
Offering Our Gifts: When Thou Art Near
Bach/Kraft
Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Lord of All Power and Might
Smith
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