PIONEER LAKE LUTHERAN CHURCH Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 3675 Church Rd, Conover, WI 54519 Church Office—715-479-4966 Pastor John Kuziej—715)479-4908 (906)932-4165 cell
Worship Service for October 23, 2016 23rd Sunday after Pentecost GATHERING Prayer of Confession P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. P: Longing for rescue from the weight of our failures, let us confess our sin to God who hears our pleas and waits in mercy to forgive. C: Merciful God, hope of your people in every age, we confess that we have sinned against you. We have wandered from your pathways, turned toward idols, lived without compassion, and disregarded the wellbeing of your creation. Do not turn away from us, O 1
Lord, but renew your covenant; for only in you will our lives be healed. Guide us and lead us in your ways, for happy are those who put their trust in you. Amen. P: In the name of the One who yearns to crown all people with righteousness and whose mercy exalts the humble, your sins are forgiven. May you be strengthened to live in the freedom of God’s holy and eternal generosity. Lord I lift Your Name On High
Lord I lift Your name on high, Lord I love to sing Your praises I'm so glad You're in my life, I'm so glad You came to save us You came from heaven to earth, To show the way, From the earth to the cross, My debt to pay, From the cross to the grave, From the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high. Lord I lift Your name on high., Lord I love to sing Your praises, I'm so glad You're in my life, I'm so glad You came to save us You came from heaven to earth, To show the way, From the earth to the cross, My debt to pay, From the cross to the grave, From the grave to the sky, Lord I lift Your name on high. Sky Spills Over There’s a rose in the desert; blooming red in the drought. There’s a quenching rain in the wings of gathering clouds.
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Lift your eyes, look to the horizon now. There’s still a hope for us. Reach up from the dust and call it down. Can you hear, can you hear that thunder? Sing His name sing it out…… ‘til the sky spills over. Oh…oh….ooh. Oh…..oh…….oooh. I may just be dry bones stripped of sinew and skin, but the wind of His Spirit will raise me up again. I lift my eyes I look to the horizon now. There’s still a song to sing. Fall down on your knees and cry aloud. Can you hear, can you hear that thunder? Sing His name sing it out…… ‘til the sky spills over. Oh…oh….ooh. Oh…..oh…….oooh. I hear the rolling thunder, feel the pouring rain. My heart is filed with wonder; only You remain. I see a new horizon……… coming up my way! I lift my eyes I look to the horizon now. There’s still a song to sing. Fall down on your knees and cry aloud. I can you hear, I can hear that thunder. I’ll sing His name sing it out…… ‘til the sky spills over. Oh…oh….ooh. Oh…..oh…….oooh. I can you hear, I can hear that thunder. I’ll sing His name sing it out…… ‘til the sky spills over. Oh…oh….ooh. Oh…..oh…….oooh.
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Greeting P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: And also with you. Prayer of the Day P: Let us pray. C: Holy God, our righteous judge, daily your mercy surprises us with everlasting forgiveness. Strengthen our hope in you, and grant that all the peoples of the earth may find their glory in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. WORD FIRST READING: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 In a time of drought, the people pray for mercy, repenting of their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They appeal to God to remember the covenant, to show forth God’s power, and to heal their land by sending life-giving rain. 7
Although our iniquities testify against us, act, O LORD, for your name’s sake; our apostasies indeed are many, and we have sinned against you. 8 O hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler turning aside for the night? 9 Why should you be like someone confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot give help? Yet you, O LORD, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not forsake us! 10
Thus says the LORD concerning this people: Truly they have loved to wander, 4
they have not restrained their feet; therefore the LORD does not accept them, now he will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. 19
Have you completely rejected Judah? Does your heart loathe Zion? Why have you struck us down so that there is no healing for us? We look for peace, but find no good; for a time of healing, but there is terror instead. 20 We acknowledge our wickedness, O LORD, the iniquity of our ancestors, for we have sinned against you. 21 Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake; do not dishonor your glorious throne; remember and do not break your covenant with us. 22 Can any idols of the nations bring rain? Or can the heavens give showers? Is it not you, O LORD our God? We set our hope on you, for it is you who do all this. L: The word of the Lord. C:
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 84:1-7 (Read responsively by verse, the Pulpit side begins with the light text and the Piano side responds with the dark text. All read the refrain.) 4 Refrain: Happy are they who dwell | in your house! They will always be | praising you.
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How dear to me | is your dwelling, O | LORD of hosts! 2 My soul has a desire and longing for the courts | of the LORD; my heart and my flesh rejoice in the | living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest where she may | lay her young, by the side of your altars, O LORD of hosts, my king | and my God. 4 Happy are they who dwell | in your house! They will always be | praising you. 5 Happy are the people whose strength | is in you, whose hearts are set on the | pilgrims’ way. 6 Those who go through the balsam valley will find it a | place of springs, for the early rains have covered it with | pools of water. 7 They will climb from | height to height, and the God of gods will be | seen in Zion. R Refrain 4Happy are they who dwell | in your house! They will always be | praising you. SECOND READING: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 The conclusion of this letter to a young minister offers a final perspective on life from one who is now facing death. Though others have let him down, Paul is sure of his faith in the Lord, who has stood by him and lent him strength. 6
As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 16
At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17But the Lord stood by me and 6
gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. L: The word of the Lord. C:
Thanks be to God. Gospel Acclamation My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less-# 596 1st verse
GOSPEL: Luke 18:9-14 The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. The coming reign of God will involve unexpected reversals of fortune with judgment rooted in mercy. Jesus tells a parable in which the one who humbles himself is exalted and the one who exalts his own righteousness is humbled. 9
[Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.” The gospel concludes: P: The gospel of the Lord. 7
C: Praise to you, O Christ. Sermon—Pastor John Kuziej Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead.* On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Set free by the truth of God’s gracious love, we pray for the church, the world, and all of God’s good creation. A brief silence. Only you are righteous, O God. Lead your church to true repentance so that we reflect your light and truth to the world. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Only you can bring rain, O God. Be with those who lack clean water or must walk miles to quench their thirst. Hear us, O God. 8
Your mercy is great. Only you can judge the nations, O God. Raise up leaders with humble hearts so that your peace spreads across the earth. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Only you can bring healing, O God. Be with all whose hearts ache, who hold out empty hands, who long for forgiveness. Comfort the grieving and heal the sick (especially). Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Only you know the depths of our hearts, O God. Call this congregation to loving action in your name and open our eyes to what you are doing among us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Here other intercessions may be offered. Those who live in your house are happy, O God. Keep us by your grace until we join (James of Jerusalem, martyr, and all) the saints around your throne. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great. Into your hands, faithful God, we place ourselves and our prayers, spoken and unspoken, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
Greeting of Peace PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the peace of the risen Christ.
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you. Greet one another with a sign of Christ's peace, and may say,
"Peace be with you," Sit OFFERING (Offering is received as the Lord’s Table is prepared.) Offering Amazing Grace
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Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.
T’was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed.
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercies rains, unending love, amazing grace.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word, my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
My chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, His mercies rains, unending love, amazing grace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine. But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine, will be forever mine. You are forever mine.
Offertory Prayer P: Let us pray. 10
C: Holy and merciful God, you know the joy that is in us when we offer ourselves, our time, and our possessions for the work you set before us. Use these gifts to heal and teach, comfort and challenge, that all the world might give your praise. Amen. P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts. C: We lift them to the Lord. P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. C: It is right to give our thanks and praise. P: It is right, it is good, and it is joyful to give thanks to you, God of mystery and miracle. When there was only darkness, you made light. When we cried out to you from captivity, you claimed us as your own. When we forgot our love for you, you did not forget us, sending your prophets to turn us around and renewing your promises with a bow in the sky, the parting of the sea, your own Son. And so we praise you, tuning our voices to the angels’ songs, joining all those who sing on earth and heaven: C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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P: Thank you for Jesus—for his teaching and healing, his challenging and feeding, his living and dying and rising, that we might be raised with him, and all the world made new. We thank you that on the night before he died he took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and shared with his friends, saying, take, eat—my body broken for you. Thank you for the way he took the cup, the new covenant sealed in his blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you eat and drink, he said, do it in remembrance of me. With thanksgiving we take this bread and wine, gifts of the good earth, offering ourselves as a living sacrifice dedicated to your service. C: Dying, you destroyed our death; rising, you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory. P: Send your Holy Spirit, our advocate, to fill the hearts of all who share this bread and cup with courage and wisdom to pursue love and justice in all the world. Through the power of your Spirit unite us with Christ and with one another as we work and wait in hope, confident in that day when Christ will come to make all things well and we will feast together at his heavenly table. All glory and honor are yours, Holy God, through Christ and in the unity of the Spirit, now and forever. C: Amen
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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 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. Invitation to Communion P: Take hold of the life that really is life. Come, take your place at the table. COMMUNION As the minister gives the bread and cup to each communicant, they say these words: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. and each person may respond Amen.
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Blessings We pray for blessings, We pray for peace, comfort for family protection while we sleep We pray for healing for prosperity, We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering. And all the while You hear each spoken need yet love is way too much to give us lesser things. 'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears And what if a thousand sleepless nights, Are what it takes to know You're near And what if trials of this life, Are Your mercies in disguise? We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near We doubt Your goodness, We doubt Your love As if ev'ry promise from Your Word is not enough And all the while You hear each desp'rate plea As long that we'd have faith to believe When friends betray us, When darkness seems to win we know, that pain reminds this heart, that this is not, this is not our home. It's not our home. 'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops What if Your healing comes through tears And what if a thousand sleepless nights, Are what it takes to know You're near What if my greatest disappointments, Or the aching of this life 14
Is a revealing of a greater thirst, this world can't satisfy And what if trials of this life, The rain the storms the hardest nights Are Your mercies in disguise
Post-Communion Blessing and Prayer P: Let us pray. We come again to you, O God, giving you thanks that in this feast of mercy you have embraced us and healed us, making us one in the body of Christ. Go with us on our way. Equip us for every good work, that we may continue to give you thanks by embracing others with mercy and healing; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. SENDING Benediction P: May the strength of Almighty God surround you, the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ attend you, and the peace of the Holy Spirit be yours, today and always. C: Amen. I Will Follow Where You go I'll go, Where You stay I'll stay, When You move I'll move, I will follow Oh oh oh All Your ways are good, All Your ways are sure, I will trust in You alone Higher than my sight, High above my life, I will trust in You alone Where You go I'll go, Where You stay I'll stay, When You move I'll move I will follow You Whom You love I'll love, How You serve I'll serve, If this life I lose I will follow, yeah, I will follow You yeah Light into the world, Light into my life, I will live for You alone You're the One I seek, Knowing I will find, All I need in You alone In You alone 15
Where You go I'll go, Where You stay I'll stay, When You move I'll move I will follow You Whom You love I'll love, How You serve I'll serve, If this life I lose I will follow, yeah, I will follow You yeah In You there's life everlasting, In You there's freedom for my soul In You there's joy unending joy……. Where You go I'll go, Where You stay I'll stay, When You move I'll move I will follow You Whom You love I'll love, How You serve I'll serve, If this life I lose I will follow, yeah, I will follow You yeah, Yeah I will follow You yeah I will follow You yeah, I will follow You yeah
Dismissal P: Go in peace. Remember the poor. C: Thanks be to God.
Welcome to Pioneer Lake Lutheran Church! We rejoice that you have joined us to worship the Risen Lord this morning. We are a welcoming community of believers; ALL who believe that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly present in the bread and wine of Holy Communion, bringing to us the gift of forgiveness and the promise of eternal life, are welcome to gather at the Lord’s Table. And those who do not partake to Holy Communion are invited forward to receive a blessing. Please take a few moments to fill out the white card in your pew rack. If you would like a visit from Pastor or have other needs or prayer requests, please indicate this on the card.
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VISITORS: Please be sure to pick up the latest copy of our monthly newsletter, The Lake View. You’ll find it on the west wall of the nave next to the red news box, and also on the website www.poineerlakelc.org. It’s loaded with a good message from Pastor John, monthly calendar of events, fun stories, a few jokes, goings on at PLLC, etc. When items of news interest come to PLLC would you please put a copy in the news box! Reflection: What is prayer? When we hear the prayers of the two men in the temple, what does Jesus’ appreciation of the tax collector’s prayer tell us about the purpose of prayer? This coming Saturday, from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m. will be the First Communion retreat for children in the third grade; they will receive their First Communion on Sunday, October 30th. Next Sunday is Reformation Sunday: the color for the day is red, so if you can wear something red for worship. Reformation Sunday remembers with thanksgiving the work of Martin Luther. But more than remembering him, we celebrate the message he wanted the church to preach loud and clear: the true treasure of the church is the good news of Jesus Christ who gives us forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation. Next Sunday a special offering will be received for the E.L.C.A. World Hunger Appeal. Sunday, November 6th will be observed as All Saints Sunday. On this day you are invited to bring pictures of loved ones who have died for display, and light a candle in their memory. Headwaters Food Pantry-Spooktacular Spaghetti Dinner will be held on Tuesday, October 25th from 4:30-7:00 pm. The menu includes spaghetti and meat sauce, salad, bread-sticks and dessert. All for a good will offering! 17
-----Next year is the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation: on October 31st in the year 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg calling for reform in the church. The Church Council would like to have volunteers come forward to serve on a 500th Anniversary Committee to help plan events for the coming year. Please see Pastor if you would like to serve. Please join Phyllis Johnson and Grace Kettermann in the fellowship hall after service for coffee and goodies If you are away on Sunday and visit another congregation, please bring your bulletin, sign it, and pin it to the bulletin board under the sign, “Churches We Have Visited”. You will be eligible for a drawing of Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade items. Please remember ; Rita Hogenmiller- broken arm, Rachel Colebrook, Martha Andeen, Alex Rivera-searching for a school, Nancy Young, Donna Dow, Bob VanSlate, Don Sharon, Molly Zadra (Joyce Koski’s daughter), Peggy Waldron, Gordy Johnson, Jean Wolff, Phillip Fliflet(Darrell Fliflet’s brother),Terry Blaser(Joyce’s son), Steve Bergdahl-fractured fibia and skin cancer. Reminder- Look over “Please Remember”
Serving in Worship Music Assistants Acolyte Lector Greeters & Ushers Altar Guild
Praise Band Members of the Congregation Massa Justice Confirmation and Parish Youth Jim and Jackie Fruth Marilyn Hilliard, and Holly Guerin
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THIS WEEK AT PIONEER Sunday
Wednesday
9:00 Worship 10:15 Fellowship 9:30 Quilting 12:00 WELCA Bible Study 4:00 Confirmation
Thursday
9:00-3:00 Lay School
Saturday
10:00-3:00 First Communion Retreat
Next Sunday
9:00 Worship-Reformation Sunday-Wear Red! 10:15 Fellowship
October 31-Monday at 9:00am- Making meatballs-
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