The Muppets and the Liturgy

Gaudete!

Gaudete is the Latin name for this Sunday. It means rejoice and comes from the appointed Introit for the Third Sunday in Advent.  For centuries upon centuries on the Third Sunday in Advent, the worshiping congregation would hear Philippians 4:4 sung in Latin, “Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete” (Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!).

I suppose the majority of people will moan and groan just at the mention of Latin. (Latin is a language. Dead as dead can be. First it killed the Romans Now it's killing me.)  I’m not suggesting that everyone go out and learn Latin but I do think that a nodding acquaintance with the ancient language of the Church will enrich your appreciation for the liturgy and our way of worship in the Lutheran Church.

Here’s where The Muppets come in. (No, I don’t think we should have Muppets lead worship.) While most think of The Muppets as children’s entertainment, there is much there for adults.  In fact it is so packed with subtle cultural references that I don’t think just one viewing could uncover them all.  It is a delight to discover these hidden treasures and appreciate the effort that went into producing this movie.  Certainly the film will thrill children but its wholesome humor will satisfy the deepest thinking adult.

The basic plot of The Muppets is a need for the Muppets to save their old theater and studio in Hollywood.  To do this they must raise $10 million.  The only way to raise this money is for the Muppets to get back together and “put on a show.”

At one point during a dance number the camera does a close-up on a Smalltown resident as he sings.  This Smalltown resident is none other than Mickey Rooney.   When I saw him I laughed out loud!

Of course if you’ve never seen Mickey Rooney as Andy Hardy with Judy Garland in their cheerfully naive musicals that usually end with the characters putting on an impromptu musical show to save the day, then Mickey’s cameo goes over your head and you miss one of the delightfully playful moments in the movie.  It’s still a good film but you have missed out.  I know because I asked a 30 something about it and he didn’t know why Mickey was there.

So this is a roundabout way of encouraging you to seek to learn more about the history of the liturgy and the importance of knowing a few Latin words to enhance your appreciation of the liturgy.  Certainly without Latin our worship still meaningfully points to Christ and His cross each and every Sunday.  But if you realize that Sanctus means holy and is the Latin name for “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty,” you will begin to have a deeper appreciation for our Christian heritage and worship.  You will begin see that the work of the Holy Spirit (Sanctus Spiritus) is sanctification.  You will see why we often call the place where we worship the sanctuary (holy place).

On Gaudete Sunday rejoice with me that we have a way of worship that is simple enough for small children but deep enough to occupy our growing faith throughout our lives. To help you on your quest to deepen your understanding of our way of worship, you may want to look at the glossary on page xxiv in Lutheran Service Book.

Pastor Quardokus

Advent and the New Church Year

Advent and the New Church Year

God declares “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). And so our Church Year is renewed with the coming of Advent. “Newness” in scripture is often connected with Jesus and the Gospel. Indeed this is especially true with Advent and the New Church Year.

Advent is a time for spiritual renewal as we await our coming Savior. If you have allowed your devotional life to become less than the best, make Advent a time to refocus your attention on the cross and Christ. Set aside time each day during Advent to light your own personal Advent wreath and share family devotions. If you have children, let them share in the lighting and extinguishing of candles.

You may wish to use the excellent Advent devotional booklet produced by Lutheran Hour Ministries and titled “Christmas Memories” for your daily devotions. Copies are available today from the ushers and will be available on the Visitor’s Center through the Advent/Christmas Season. Your devotion time can be enhanced by using the order of Daily Prayer on page 294 in Lutheran Service Book. At least once a week you may choose to use the Responsive Prayers found on pages 282 and 285.

Advent is a time of preparation. Since we know that we must be prepared for Christ’s Second Advent, this preparation should include sober reflection and repentance. Since we are preparing for the joyous celebration of Christ’s First Advent on Christmas, we will want our Advent preparation to be subdued. We will then break forth in beautiful song with the angels in celebrating our Savior’s birth. For this reason we do not include the Hymn of Praise (Gloria in Excelsis) in our Sunday worship.

Take note that three of the four Advent Collects call for God to stir up His power and our hearts. On the third Sunday in Advent we ask God in the Collect that we would rightly respond to the message of John the Baptist who prepared the way of the Lord.

Advent is a time for Hope! Blue on our altar reminds us of the hope that is ours in Christ. Hope in this sense is not wishful thinking but a sure expectation of the fulfillment of all of God’s promises in Christ.

Advent is a time for revisiting the prophecies of the Old Testament that are fulfilled in Christ. Read the first chapters of Matthew and note how often Matthew reports that these events happened to fulfill the prophecies of the comings Savior. From the giving of His name and virgin birth to His nativity in Bethlehem, Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s great plan of Salvation.

One of the most loved Advent hymns is “O Come, O come, Emmanuel.” It is based on the Great “O” Antiphons. You may wish to ponder them during Advent by reflecting on the words of hymn 357.

The prophecies and scripture references in this hymn are rich indeed:

Stanza 1: Is. 7:1-14; Ex. 12:31-42; Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:21; 1 Tim. 2:6; Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45 & Hosea 13:14.

Refrain: Isaiah 59:20; Matt. 1:23; Zech 9:9; 1 Thes. 3:9.

Stanza 2: 1 Cor. 1:18-31; Prov. 1:2-7; Gen 1:31.

Stanza 3: Ex. 3:1-15; Ex. 19:9-13; Ex. 20:1-17.

Stanza 4: Is. 11:1-5, 10, 11; 1 Cor. 15:54-57; 2 Sam. 7:10-11; Ps 80:14-15; Jer. 33:15-16; Rom. 15:12; Rev. 5:5.

Stanza 5: Matt 16:13-19; Is. 22:22; Rev 3:7; 2 Sam 7:13;

Stanza 6: Is 9:2-7; Is 60:1-2; Luke 1:78

Stanza 7: Jer. 10:1-10; Ps 2:6-7; Is 52:7; Hag. 2:7

May God richly bless our Advent preparation and our Christmas celebration that we may more deeply understand and trust in the wonderful love of our Beautiful Savior!

Pastor Quardokus

Thanksgiving Proclamation - President George Washington, 1789

Thanksgiving Proclamation

Issued by President George Washington,

 at the request of Congress, on October 3, 1789

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and—Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favor, able interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other trangressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go. Washington

Thanksgiving Proclamation - President Abraham Lincoln, 1683

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

This proclamation (October 3, 1863) set the precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. Prior to this, each state scheduled its own Thanksgiving holiday at different times, mainly in New England and other Northern states.

The Church Year

    The majority of Christians follow a worship calendar known as The Church Year. Unfortunately it is foreign to many American Protestants who have forgotten or rejected their connection to the Church throughout history.
    The Church Year follows a rhythm of focusing half of the year on the life on Christ and half a year on the life of the Church (or Christian growth). This discipline is helpful in keeping individual pastors or churches from becoming one dimensional in their spiritual lives. It is also helpful for Christians throughout the world to express their unity through their weekly sharing of the same lessons from God’s Word.
     We are at a turning point of The Church Year today.  The Church Year ends with our focus on the return of Christ at the end of the age.  Today all around the world Christians are rejoicing in the blessed anticipation of seeing their Savior return with all of His angels to bring a culmination to all of the promises of Holy Scripture.
    Next Sunday we begin anew our annual celebration of Advent with its dual focus on both the first and second coming of Christ.  We will again hear the cry of John the Baptist.  We will join Isaiah in joyful anticipation. We will overhear Gabriel’s grace filled greeting to Mary as she learns that she will be the mother of our Savior and Lord.
    About 50 years ago the series of lessons read on Sunday was reformed to include more Scripture than had previously been read in the churches.  The old one year lectionary was replaced with a three year cycle of lessons that reflect the Church Year more broadly from all four Gospels.  Today we conclude Series B in this cycle which as you may have noticed draws most of the Gospel lessons from St. Mark.  Next Sunday we begin Series C. The Gospel According to St. Luke will provide most of our Gospel lessons for the coming Church Year.
    A summary of the Church Year is found on page x in Lutheran Service Book. The lessons appointed for Series C are found on page xviii. Since Easter is the key day around which the Church Year pivots, the Epiphany Season is shortened this year because Easter is early, falling on March 31, 2013. The dates of Easter until the year 2050 are found on page xxiii.
    While you are exploring the introductory pages of Lutheran Service Book, turn to page xxiv and review the glossary of worship terminology. The Church has used most of the terms defined on those pages for over a thousand years. Sports fans and hobbyists, professionals and specialists become familiar with the distinctive vocabulary for their chosen interests. Christians who seek to be more than just casual observers will also want to explore the richness of our historic vocabulary of worship and worship practices.

  Pastor Quardokus

Money, Money, Money By The Pound!

In 1977 Disney released a children’s film titled, “Pete’s Dragon.” Found among the songs in this delightful film is “Every Little Piece.” This song sets the stage for some of the dramatic tension in the film. The corrupt Doctor Terminus sings as he dreams of the riches that he will acquire by capturing Pete’s dragon, Elliot, and selling him piece by piece. The song begins this way:

Dragon whiskers, dragon toes, a dragon tooth and a dragon nose

Every little piece

Every little piece

We could make a million by slicing him, dicing him

Hoagy, we could sell every little shell

There's enough of him to go around

Money, money, money by the pound.

Composed by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn

This song rings true because of the universal nature of greed and the love of money. While it is unfortunate to hear of crime and corruption in our society as television news reports every sordid detail, it remains a harsh reminder of how deeply greed penetrates the human spirit. By far most crimes reported have at their root the same attitude as displayed by Doctor Terminus: greed and a desire for money, money, money by the pound!

Jesus himself declares, “No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:13 ESV).

St. Paul echoes Jesus in his letter to Timothy, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10 ESV).

It can be a great struggle for the redeemed to have a proper relationship to wealth. Under the cross as forgiven sinners we seek to see our financial situation as a gift of God, one that we do not in any real way deserve. 

May we repent and pray for God to forgive our greed that we may learn to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving!

How to Write An Awful Worship Song (by Stephen Altrogge)

Ok, so this is the third time this title has been used to refer to an article by Stephen Altrogge (I'm sure the number will multiply.  But this is just too good not to pass along.)

See if this rings true to you:

How to Write An Awful Worship Song
by Pastor Riley's Blog

by Stephen Altrogge

So you finally learned to play the guitar and now you’re wondering, “How do I write a truly awful worship song?” You’ve come to the right place my friend. Here are some sure fire ways to write a truly horrible worship song.

Recycle A Love Song. Write a song for your girlfriend. When she breaks up with you, convert it into a worship song. Be sure to change all uses of “girl” or “baby”.

[This would be funny if it weren't so true.  Not only that but unfortunately these "love song" worship tunes usually lag far behind in quality to the real thing.  I haven't heard it, but I'm sure it's out there--The Christian version of "Call Me Maybe."  I cringe to think about it.--PQ]

Use Time Tested Rhymes. Make sure that you rhyme “love” and “above” at least twice. The song becomes doubly awful if you can also incorporate the word “dove”. Example: “You sent your love from above, makes my heart feel like a pure white dove.” You get the point.

[Oops.  Tire expressions can find their way into the pulpit too.  guilty--PQ]

Be Vague About Your Theology. Make sure to avoid any theology at all costs. Don’t talk about atonement, wrath, or any other biblical concepts. You want your song to be all about feeling. Don’t let the mind get in the way. Repeat after me: “Worship is a warm feeling, sort of like heartburn, only better.”

[Come on.  How can so many people be wrong.--PQ]

Make the Song All About You.  The main point of your song should be your experiences and how God makes you feel. Don’t bother with objective truth about God. I would suggest that you use the words “I” or “me” at least 12-15 times. For example, “I feel like singing, yes I feel like spinning, because You make me feel so good inside. Like it’s my birthday, but more awesome.”

[What can I say? I'm important!--PQ]

Be Incredibly Poetic. If you can, muddy the waters with poetic phrases that don’t make much sense. Example: “Your love is like a warm summer’s breeze, washing over my heart like a crystal river.”

[Hey!!! I got an A in high school for writing like that!--PQ]

Use Well-Worn Musical Progressions. If you can, keep your music and melody boring. I would suggest that you use no more than four distinct notes in a song, so that by the time someone is done listening to it they want to scream. A worship scream, but a scream nonetheless. It also helps if you use the chords G, C, and D over and over.

[mmmmmmmm Just like a Christian mantra!--PQ]

Defend Your Song Like It’s Your Firstborn Child. Do not, I repeat, do not, let anyone make suggestions for improvement. Tell people that God laid the song on your heart. Tell people that you really want to preserve the artistic integrity of the song. Tell people that you already did the song at your campus ministry and that a revival broke out. Don’t take advice from anyone.

[Oh, no wonder people get angry.  I didn't realize that I was commenting on their children.]

There you have it. Seven ways to write a terrible worship song. You can thank me later.

[So here you have it.  Your path to success with the teenyboppers of any age.
Blessings--PQ]

(From Paul McCain's blog)

Preview of the Service for July 8, 2012

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church Stevensville, Michigan

July 5 & 8, 2012 7:00 p.m., 8:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Learning the Living Liturgy:

The Invocation

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

As We Gather

^“9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰  Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10). Everyone wants to belong. Where do you belong? Do you belong to the world? To sin? To death? To the Devil?

NO! You belong here! You were made a citizen of God’s kingdom through Holy Baptism. When you come to church and hear the words of the Invocation, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” you are reminded that you have left the world and have now come home to be with the family of God.

Much of the American life is based upon individualism. Unfortunately this has tended to bleed over into the Church. Too many people believe that Christianity is simply a matter of “Jesus and Me.” How sad it is to have forgotten that Christianity is a family affair. We are children of God, brothers and sisters of Christ, the family of believers. The words of the invocation remind us of this and much, much more.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

Name Name Name

Sunday 10:45 a.m.

Hymn “Dearest Jesus We Are Here” Hymn 592

Stanzas 1-4

Holy Baptism Page 268

Hymn “Dearest Jesus We Are Here” Hymn 592

Stanza 5

The 10:45 a.m. service continues with the Introit.

Confession and Absolution

Thursday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. services begin here.

Hymn ~ “All Christians Who Have Been Baptized” Hymn 596

Stand

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.

Invocation Page 151

Confession and Absolution Page 151

Service of the Word

Introit

Oh, taste and see that the | Lord is good!*

Blessèd is the man who takes ref- | uge in him!

For the Lord has chosen | Zion;*

he has desired it for his | dwelling place:

“This is my resting place for- | ever;*

here I will dwell, for I have de- | sired it.

I will abundantly bless her pro- | visions;*

I will satisfy her | poor with bread.

Her priests I will clothe with sal- | vation,*

and her saints will | shout for joy.

Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*

and to the Holy | Spirit;

as it was in the be- | ginning,*

is now, and will be forever. | Amen.

Oh, taste and see that the | Lord is good!*

Blessèd is the man who takes ref- | uge in him!

Ps. 132:13–16; antiphon: Ps. 34:8

Kyrie Page 152

Salutation Page 156

Collect of the Day

P O God, Your almighty power is made known chiefly in showing mercy. Grant us the fullness of Your grace that we may be called to repentance and made partakers of Your heavenly treasures; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C Amen

Sit

Reading from the Book of Concord

Luther’s Large Catechism

Baptism, 41-44

⁴¹ Therefore, every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to do all his life. For he has always enough to do by believing firmly what Baptism promises and brings: victory over death and the devil [Romans 6:3–6], forgiveness of sin [Acts 2:38], God’s grace [Titus 3:5–6], the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with His gifts [1 Corinthians 6:11]. ⁴² In short, Baptism is so far beyond us that if timid nature could realize this, it might well doubt whether it could be true. ⁴³ Think about it. Imagine there was a doctor somewhere who understood the art of saving people from death or, even though they died, could restore them quickly to life so that they would afterward live forever. Oh, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain. No one could find access to him because of the throng of the rich! But here in Baptism there is freely brought to everyone’s door such a treasure and medicine that it utterly destroys death and preserves all people alive.

⁴⁴ We must think this way about Baptism and make it profitable for ourselves. So when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, “Nevertheless, I am baptized. And if I am baptized, it is promised to me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.”

Readings from Holy Scripture

Old Testament Reading Ezekiel 2:1–5

¹He said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” ²And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. ³And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. ⁴The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ ⁵And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.

P This is the Word of the Lord

C Thanks be to God.

Gradual

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowl- | edge of God!*

How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable | his ways!

For from him and through him and to him are | all things.*

To him be glory forever. | Amen.

Rom. 11:33, 36

Epistle Reading 2 Corinthians 12:1–10

¹I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ²I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. ⁵On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. ⁶Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. ⁷So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. ⁸Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹0For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

P This is the Word of the Lord

C Thanks be to God.

stand

Verse ~ “Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?” Page 156

Holy Gospel Mark 6:1–13

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 6^th chapter

C Glory to You, O Lord.

¹[Jesus] went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ²And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? ³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” ⁵And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. ⁶And he marveled because of their unbelief.

And he went about among the villages teaching.

⁷And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— ⁹but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. ¹⁰And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. ¹¹ And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹²So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. ¹³And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

P This is the Gospel of the Lord.

C Praise to You, O Christ.

Sit

Hymn “Baptized into Your Name Most Holy” Hymn 590

Sermon

The Invocation:

Baptized People of God Gathering Together

Matthew 28:18-20

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Nicene Creed Page 158

Prayer of The Church

Sit

The Gathering of Our Tithes and Sacrificial Offerings

(We request all who are present to sign the attendance book that is at the end of your row. Please pass this on to the person next to you.)

Stand

Offertory “All Who Believe and Are Baptized” Hymn 601

Service of the Sacrament

Celebration of Holy Communion

Preface Page 160

It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:

Sanctus ~ Holy, Holy, Holy Page 161

Prayer of Thanksgiving Page 161

Lord’s Prayer Page 162

Words Of Institution Page 162

Pax Domini ~ The Peace Of The Lord Page 163

Agnus Dei ~ Lamb Of God Page 163

Sit

Distribution Hymns

“O, Lord We Praise Thee” Hymn 617

“Your Table I Approach” Hymn 628

Stand

Post-Communion Canticle “Thank the Lord” Page 164

Post-Communion Collect Page 166

Benediction Page 166

Recessional ~ “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It” Hymn 594

+ Silent Prayer +

All scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Reading from the book of Concord is from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition, Copyright 2005, 2006 Concordia Publishing House

Learning the Living Liturgy:

The Invocation

The Invocation goes by so quickly that it is easy to think that it is unimportant or unnecessary. Yet this is one of the most important parts of the Divine Service. The Divine Service is for the people of God. Here God gives us His gifts of life and salvation through word and sacrament. This is the place where God’s children come to receive these gifts.

The Invocation reminds us of our baptism. With these words we remember that this is where we belong. We are God’s children who have come to meet in our Father’s house and to be about our Father’s business.

For some, the Divine Service seems to have declined to the level of holy entertainment rather than a gathering together of the family of God. In some places congregations are divided into segments and groups according to their musical preferences. In some places children are forbidden from worshiping with their families in the Divine Service. Everyone chooses for himself how God will be encountered.

The Invocation reminds us how unhelpful these practices are. We are the family of God gathered in this place. Young and old, men and women, all have their place here. We encourage and strengthen one another with our presence. We all are poor, miserable sinners who have come to receive grace and blessings from our Lord and Savior.

May your worship with family of God be one in which the Living Christ gives you the gifts He won for you on the cross.

Pastor Quardokus

The Location of the Baptismal Font

The location of the baptismal font is not unimportant. In our sanctuary it is attached to the Altar in the chancel. This position emphasizes that it is God who works in and through baptism.

In some congregations the baptismal font is located in the center in front of the steps that lead into the chancel. This position emphasizes that it is through baptism that we enter into the family of God and are made acceptable to come into God’s presence.

In Europe, the baptismal font often occupies its own building outside the entrance to the church. This building is called a baptistry or baptistery. The fact that the font is located outside of the church is a reminder that no one may enter into true worship of God unless he or she has been received into God’s family through The Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

In the last few decades some churches have located their baptismal fonts at the entrance to the nave. The emphasis here is similar to having a separate baptistery. (Both of our seminary chapels have located their fonts in this manner.) The font then is generally always filled with water enabling people to place their fingers in the water and make the sign of the cross in remembrance of their baptism.

The next time you visit another congregation take note of location of the baptismal font and ponder the message that is being sent by its position.

Pastor Quardokus