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THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (AUGUST 30, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
Hymn of Invocation: 876 O Blessed, Holy Trinity LSB 876
Invocation LSB 151
Exhortation LSB 151
Confession of Sins LSB 151
Absolution LSB 151

SERVICE OF THE WORD
Introit Introit for The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Ps. 51:7, 10–12; antiphon: Ps. 51:2
Kyrie LSB 152
Hymn of Praise Gloria in Excelsis LSB 154
Salutation and Collect of the Day Collect for The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament Reading Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9
Epistle Ephesians 6:10–20
Common Alleluia and Verse LSB 156
Holy Gospel Mark 7:14–23

Hymn of the Day: 566 By Grace I'm Saved LSB 566
Sermon
Apostles' Creed

Prayer of the Church
Offering
Offertory LSB 159
Lord's Prayer
Benediction (Aaronic)
Hymn: 587 I Know My Faith Is Founded LSB 587

Acolyte Schedule 2009-2010

September

• 6 Hannah Watt Jacy Eklund
• 12 Alex Brown Dorian Peterson
• 20 Devon Peterson Danielle Riley
• 27 Kessler Thomas Jay Wolfe

October

• 4 Cali Foglesong Alexandra Bird
• 11 Reagan Brown Samantha Reed
• 18 Joshua Reed Ashtyn Riley
• 25 Jacy Eklund Madison Peterson

November

• 1 Dorian Peterson Hannah Watt
• 8 Danielle Riley Alex Brown
• 15 Jay Wolfe Devon Peterson
• 22 Alexandra Bird Kessler Thomas
• 26 Thanksgiving Samantha Reed Cali Foglesong
• 29 Ashtyn Riley Reagan Brown

December

• 2 Advent Midweek Madison Peterson Joshua Reed
• 6 Hannah Watt Jacy Eklund
• 9 Advent Midweek Alex Brown Dorian Peterson
• 13 Devon Peterson Danielle Riley
• 16 Advent Midweek Kessler Thomas Jay Wolfe
• 20 Cali Foglesong Alexandra Bird
• 27 Reagan Brown Samantha Reed

January

• 3 Joshua Reed Ashtyn Riley
• 10 Jacy Eklund Madison Peterson
• 17 Dorian Peterson Hannah Watt
• 24 Danielle Riley Alex Brown
• 31 Jay Wolfe Devon Peterson

Date Students

February

• 7 Alexandra Bird Kessler Thomas
• 14 Sammantha Reed Cali FogleSong
• 21 Ashtyn Riley Reagan Brown
• 24 Lenten Midweek Madison Peterson Joshua Reed
• 28 Hannah Watt Jacy Eklund

March

• 3 Lenten Midweek Alex Brown Dorian Peterson
• 7 Devon Peterson Danielle Riley
• 10 Lenten Midweek Kessler Thomas Jay Wolfe
• 14 Cali Foglesong Alexandra Bird
• 17 Lenten Midweek Reagan Brown Samantha Reed
• 21 Joshua Reed Ashtyn Riley
• 24 Lenten Midweek Jacy Eklund Madison Peterson
• 28 Dorian Peterson Hannah Watt

April

• 1 Maunday Thurs Danielle Riley Alex Brown
• 2 Good Friday Jay Wolfe Devon Peterson
• 4 Sunrise Alexandra Bird Kessler Thomas
• 4 Easter Samantha Reed Cali Foglesong
• 11 Ashtyn Riley Reagan Brown
• 18 Madison Peterson Joshua Reed
• 25 Hannah Watt Jacy Eklund

May

• 2 Alex Brown Dorian Peterson
• 9 Devon Peterson Danielle Riley
• 16 Confirmation Kessler Thomas Jay Wolfe
• 23 Cali Foglesong Alexandra Bird
• 30 Reagan Brown Samantha Reed

Pastor Watt's Sermons

August

• 1, Wedding Sermon for Eric and Beth - Ephesians 5:22-33
• 2, Ninth Sunday after Pentecost - Exodus 16:2-15
• 9, Tenth Sunday after Pentecost - John 6:41-51
• 16, Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost - Joshua 24:1-18
• 23, Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost - Mark 7:1-14

July

• 5, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - 2 Cor 12:1-10
• 12, Fifth Sunday after Pentecost - Psalm 34:9-14
• 19, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost - Ephesians 2:11-22

June

• 21, Third Sunday after Pentecost - Mark 4:35-41
• 28, Fourth Sunday after Pentecost - Mark 5:21-44

May

• 3rd, Fourth Sunday in Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, and Confirmation - John 10:11-18
• 10th, Fifth Sunday in Easter - John 15:1-8
• 17th, Sixth Sunday in Easter - John 15:9-17
• 24th, Seventh Sunday in Easter - Psalm 1 
• 31st, The Festival of Pentecost - Psalm 139:1-12

April

• 9th, Holy Thursday (Text Only) - Luke 22:7-20.
• 10th, Good Friday - Devotion
• 12th, Festival of the Resurrection, Sunrise - Job 19:25-26 
• 12th, Festival of the Resurrection, 10am - Psalm 118:14-24
• 19th, Second Sunday in Easter - John 20:19-31 
• 26th, Third Sunday in Easter - Luke 24:36-49

March

• 1st, First Sunday during Lent - Genesis 22:1-18
• 8th, Second Sunday during Lent - Romans 5:1-5
• 11th, Wednesday Lenten Service - Jonah 1:1-17
• 15th, Third Sunday during Lent - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
• 18th, Weekday Lenten Service - Jonah 2
• 22nd, Fourth Sunday during Lent - Numbers 21:4-9
• 29th, Fifth Sunday during Lent - Hebrews 5:7-9

February

• 1st, Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany - Mark 1:21-28
• 8th, Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany - Mark 1:29-39
• 15th, Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany - Mark 1:40-45
• 25th, The Transfiguration of Our Lord - Mark 9:2-9

January

• 4th, Epiphany of Our Lord - Matthew 2:1
• 11th, The Baptism of Our Lord - Mark 1:4-11
• 18th, The Confession of St. Peter - Mark 8:27-36
• 25th, Third Sunday after the Epiphany - Jonah 3

December

• 3rd, First Advent Vespers Service (Wed) - Genesis 3:9-15
• 7th, Second Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 40:1-11
• 10th, Second Advent Vespers Service (Wed) - Isaiah 2:1-5
• 11th, Funeral of Louise - John 14:1-6
• 14th, Third Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
• 24th, Christmas Eve - Luke 2:1-20
• 25th, Festival of the Incarnation of Our Lord - Luke 2:1-20
• 28th, First Sunday after Christmas - Luke 2:29-32
• 31st, New Year's Eve - Numbers 6:22-27

November

• 16th, 27th Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 25:14-30
• 9th, 26th Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 25:1-13
• 2nd, All Saints Day - Matthew 5:1-12
• 23rd, Last Sunday of the Church Year - Matthew 25:31-46
• 26th, Thanksgiving Evening - Luke 17:11-19
• 30th, First Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 63:16b-17; 64:1-8

October

• 26th, Festival of the Reformation - Romans 3:19-28
• 19th, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 22:15-22
• 12th, 22nd Sunday after Pentecost - Isaiah 25:6-9
• 5th, 21st Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 21:33-45

September

• 28th, 20th Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 21:28-32
• 21st, 19th Sunday after Pentecost - Matthew 20:1-16
• 14th, 18th Sunday after Pentecost - Genesis 50:15-20

THE TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (AUGUST 23, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Hymn of Invocation: 644 The Church's One Foundation LSB 644
Invocation LSB 203
Exhortation LSB 203
Confession of Sins LSB 203
Absolution LSB 203

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Introit Introit for The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Ps. 26:1–2, 6–7; antiphon: Ps. 26:8
Kyrie LSB 204
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204
Salutation and Collect of the Day Collect for The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament Reading Isaiah 29:11–19
Epistle Ephesians 5:22–33
Alleluia LSB 205
Verse LSB 205
Alleluia LSB 205
Holy Gospel Mark 7:1–13

Nicene Creed
Hymn of the Day: 865 Lord, Help Us Ever to Retain LSB 865
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
Offering
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

Preface LSB 208
Sanctus LSB 208
Prayer of Thanksgiving Prayer of Thanksgiving for The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord's Prayer
The Words of Our Lord
Pax Domini LSB 209
Agnus Dei LSB 210
Distribution

Distribution Hymn: 576 My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less LSB 576
Distribution Hymn: 589 Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens LSB 589

Nunc Dimittis LSB 211
Post-Communion Collect
Benedicamus and Benediction

Hymn: 582 God's Word Is Our Great Heritage LSB 582

Michael Spencer - The Internet Monk; Worship Toolbox.

Rev. Spencer has a nice article in his "Evangelical Liturgy" Series.  "The Toolbox" explores the necessary tools for "giving distinctive evangelical content, flavor and boundaries to the worship service."  Michael's perspective is distinctively "evangelical" and not everything fits our Lutheran perspective, he gives some nice thoughts to contemplate.  Here's his section on "the Hymnal."  (Emphasis mine)

2. The Hymnal. I know, here we go.

The hymnal is a crucially important evangelical worship resource. While it can be supplemented, it should never be replaced. The education of a congregation to use and appreciate the resources in a hymnal will be the single post ecumenically broad, historically deep and theologically enriching experience most church members will have. There is more diversity, tradition, theology, church history and content in a good hymnal than almost any single book that you can put in the hands of a congregation. The hymnal represents and captures the journey of the church throughout history, and joins the worshiping congregation to the church around the world and throughout all time.

We are nothing short of idiots for getting rid of them, and I choose that word carefully. Who in the world decided that we would throw out two thousands years of worship because it didn’t fit in with our current plan to sound like the secular music of the last 40 years? Good grief, what a demolition job this has been. I know a lot of young people “like” the new music, but we have a responsibility to those who came before us, not to prefer or like what they did as much as they did, but to use it with respect and honor for the value that is in it. Handing the entire musical and lyrical heritage of two millenia of Christianity over to a “worship leader” to be eradicated in favor of contemporary music only is insane.

As a child, I spent hours in the hymnal during church. I learned vast amounts. Had the pastors and worship leaders used the resources of the hymnal wisely, it would have been even more enriching for me.

I want to commend the Lutheran Service book for putting the complete hymnal and ALL corporate and individual worship resources together. Having that hymnal in your hands- a tactile experience- is a significant part of worship we’ve underestimated. Use new music. Have the band from time to time. Project away. But the church of the past 2000 years is in that hymanl. In fact, we need more historically and culturally diverse hymnals, not more music for evangelical white people.

Hymnals vary widely in every way. Choose carefully and be forgiving of the inevitable flaws. The current 2008 SBC hymnal is a project involving both book and projection resources coordinated together. This is surely the direction of the future and holds real promise for ending the ridiculous war on hymns that evangelicals have perpetrated. We ought to hang our heads that we have become a generation more concerned that our children know the latest Hillsongs’ piece- which is fine and good- but that they NOT know the top 100 hymns in Christian history! Just reading the lyrics of Christmas carols is a theological feast.

For many evangelicals, the hymnal is the closest thing to a book of common prayer and worship resources they will have. Hymnals should be chosen carefully so they can be used t include calls to worship, litanies, creeds, etc. Keep making great hymnals out there, somebody! We need them.

Look at Bob Kauflin. Look at Indelible Grace. Look at good, blended worship at Piper’s church and conferences. Get a grip evangelicals!

Rev. Scot Kinnaman's Lutheranism 101. Very nice blog post.

Hey folks, take the time to read Lutheranism 101 at Rev. Scot Kinnaman's blog "Blog My Soul."  This deserves a permanent link.

http://scotkinnaman.com/lutheranism-101/

What We Believe

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church - Statement of Beliefs

Updated (8/13/9)

We believe that the Holy Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, and the only source and norm for Christian doctrine and practice.

1. We believe that there is only one true God, who has revealed Himself in Three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2. We believe that, by His innocent suffering and death on the cross in our place, Jesus Christ made full atonement for our sins.
3. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning, later ascended into heaven where He now lives and reigns to all eternity.
4. We believe that Jesus will return on the last day to judge the living and the dead and take all believers in Him to eternal life and glory.
5. We believe that God comes to us in His Church through chosen means of grace which are the Word of God (The Holy Scriptures) and the Sacraments of Baptism and The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion), and that through these means of grace He conveys to us His forgiveness.
6. We believe that we are saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, which is a free gift of The Holy Spirit to us. We believe that Holy Baptism brings us into God's Kingdom and makes us members of the Body of Christ as we receive the Holy Spirit, who works faith in our hearts.
7. We believe that the Sacrament of Holy Communion is the true body and blood of Christ which is received with the bread and the wine (Real Presence). It is not a Symbolic eating and drinking. We believe that those who receive this Sacrament actually eat and drink the body and blood of our Lord and Savior shed for us on the cross. We celebrate "closed" communion and ask only those who are members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, or, are members of a church with which we are in Altar and Pulpit fellowship with would participate in the Sacrament. (See A Statement about the Lord's Supper)

The Book of Concord is the Lutheran Confession of Faith.

You can find a great copy of it at Concordia Publishing House.
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition

Luther's Catechisms are handbooks for the Christian faith and express the faith in simple terms.

See also Rev. Scot Kinnaman's blog "Blog My Soul."

Lutheranism 101

Trinity is a congregation of The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod

What does the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Believe? Look here

THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (AUGUST 16, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

Opening Versicles LSB 219

PSALMODY

Venite LSB 220
Antiphon (Common) LSB 221
Psalm Psalm 34:12–22
Office Hymn: 696 O God, My Faithful God LSB 696

READINGSOld Testament Reading Proverbs 9:1–10
Epistle Ephesians 5:6–21
Holy Gospel John 6:51–69
Responsory Common LSB 221

Sermon

CANTICLETe Deum LSB 223

Offering

PRAYERKyrie LSB 227
Lord's Prayer
Collect of the DayCollect for Grace
Benedicamus LSB 228
Benediction LSB 234

Hymn: 697 Awake, O Sleeper, Rise from Death LSB 697

THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (AUGUST 9, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Hymn of Invocation: 905 Come, Thou Almighty King LSB 905
Invocation LSB 203
Confession of Sins LSB 203
Absolution LSB 203

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Introit Ps. 34:8–10; antiphon: Ps. 145:16
Kyrie LSB 204
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204
Salutation and Collect of the Day

Old Testament 1 King 19:1-8
Epistle Ephesians 4:17—5:2
Alleluia and Verse
Holy Gospel John 6:35–51

Nicene Creed
Hymn of the Day Lord, Enthroned in Heavenly Splendor LSB 534
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
Offering

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

Preface LSB 208
Sanctus LSB 208
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Lord's Prayer
The Words of Our Lord
Pax Domini LSB 209
Agnus Dei LSB 210
Distribution Hymn: 774 Feed Thy Children, God Most Holy LSB 774
Distribution Hymn: 637 Draw Near and Take the Body of the Lord LSB 637
Distribution Hymn: 618 I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table LSB 618
Nunc Dimittis LSB 211
Post-Communion Collect
Benedicamus and Benediction
Hymn: 655 Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word LSB 655

2009 Officers and Board Members

All officers and Board Members will be installed on Sunday, January 11, 2009.

President - Karl Peterson

Vice-President - Tom Braymen

Secretary – Becky Hagen

Treasurer - Mike Lang

Financial Sec. - Paul Kearney

Elders 
Kevin Kruse - Head Elder
Jim Nelson, Gene Cook, Byron Bilderback, Bill Magers, Chuck Bowman

Trustees
Phil Wardenburg - Chair
Jim Hagen Jay Bochart, Norm Schroeder, Troy Peterson

Preschool Board
Linda Schroeder - Chair
Anita Wardenburg - Co-Chair
Jim Nelson, Becky Hagen, Dena Chapman, Deb Clausen

Board of Education
Julie Lang - Chair
S.S. Supt.  - Carla Roghair
Waunita Watt - Youth
Randy Roghair, Pat Stream

Worship/Altar Comm
Janette Lang - Chair
(includes Altar Committee & Organists)

Board of Stewardship
TBA - Chairman
Randy Ehm, Dennis Brown, Steve Bradley

Board of Missions
TBA - Chairman
Carla Roghair, Deb Clausen, Cindy Nelson, Anita Wardenburg

Head Usher - Jim Kneedler

Updated August 4, 2009

Trinity's Monthly Newsletter - the Chimes, is available online.

 

The August Edition
of the Chimes Newsletter
is available at

August Chimes (pdf format)

"Chimes" is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, IA for subscription information please contact the Chimes Editor

Announcements for Sunday; August 2, 2009;

Adult Bible Class Today. Continuing our “Guide to the Sanctuary” (Sunday 10:30am)

It's time to start thinking about Sunday School for next fall! We are in need of a superintendent and four teachers. There is a sign up sheet in the narthex. We appreciate the people who have served our children in this way!

Large Print Bulletins are available please see ushers

Announcements for the Sunday bulletin can be given to Pastor Watt by placing them in the “bulletin” mailbox or via eMail bulletin@TrinityCreston.org

Please place articles for the Chimes in the "Chimes" mailbox found at the lower left side of the member mailboxes, or eMail articles to chimes@TrinityCreston.org

Trinity eMails! Trinity's eMail addresses are...

• Trinity Lutheran Church - tlc@TrinityCreston.org;
• Pastor - pastor@TrinityCreston.org;
• Chimes Articles - chimes@TrinityCreston.org;
• Bulletin Announcements - bulletin@TrinityCreston.org;
• Preschool Teachers - preschool@TrinityCreston.org

CAMP OKOBOJI OMELET BRUNCH featuring Red’s Cafe YOU are invited to enjoy a tasty omelet prepared your way by the staff of Red’s Café, Hartley, Iowa, at an Omelet Brunch to be held in the Ginny DeWall Dining Hall at Camp Okoboji, 1531 Edgewood Drive, Wahpeton, on Sunday, August 2nd, 2009, from 9:30 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. (Turn off Highway 86 at the Crescent Beach Sign). A free will offering will be collected with all proceeds going for designated projects and the Camp’s Annual Fund.

You are cordially invited to a retirement celebration dinner for Reverend Larry Troxel on August 22, 2009 at 6pm. Tony's East Room 810 Hampshire Quincy, IL

Serving at Trinity this Week

Sun Aug 2

• Organist: Janette Lang Elder: Chuck Bowman
• Finance: Steve Bradley, Lyle Scheel
• Altar: Mike and Janette Lang
• Ushers: Phil Wardenburg, Dave Stream, Jim Hagen

Mon Aug 3

• Lawn Area 1: Bill Magers Lawn
• Area 2: Paul Kearney
• Lawn Area 3: Byron Bilderback

This Week at Trinity

Sun Aug 2

• 9am Divine Service
• 10:15am Sunday School and Bible Classes

Mon Aug 3

• Pastor's Day Off
• 9am Confessions Reading Group

Tue Aug 4

• 6:30am Early Risers (HyVee)
• 1:30pm Streams of Living Water, Sermon Broadcast PirateChristianaRadio.com
• 6:15pm Board of Ed

Wed Aug 5

• 7:30pm Elder's Meeting

Fri Aug 7

• Iowa District West Early Childhood Conference Dennison, IA

Sun Aug 9

• 9am Divine Service with Holy Communion
• 10:15am Sunday School and Bible Classes

GOD’S PEOPLE AT PRAYER…

Illness: Bob Rassmussen, Kaylee Hoepker, Joel Herzberg, Jessica Marquardt

Hospitalized: Lonny Riley

Recovering: Barbra friend of Mitzy, Curtis & Tricia Scott

Cancer: McKenna Brown, Shelly Cabbage, Trevor Hanson, Vyck Shanes, Rachel Stoker

In Prison: Nate Brus

Military Service: Luke Watt

Missions: Rev. Daniel Vogel, Rev. Dennis Konkel

Shut-ins: Ruth Chase, Dale Keating, Wilma Cottrell, Pauline Young

Trinity Creston on Facebook!

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, IA on Facebook

More On Higher Things.

Great interview with Higher Things President Rev. Bill Cwirla on the InternetMonk.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/higher-things-a-new-model-of-youth-ministryan-interview-with-pr-bill-cwirla

A highlight:

3. What is at stake in not creating a separate “youth ministry” culture within the church?

Adolescence is a transitionary period from childhood to adulthood; it is not a subculture. Our task as adults is to get them through adolescence, not perpetuate it.

I compare youth work to a relay race. There is that critical point where the lead runner and the next runner need to be perfectly in step as the baton is passed. They must be running together, side by side. This is what HIgher Things is trying to do, have youth and adults “running together” in worship, in learning, in recreation, having youth get up to speed with adults so that the baton can be passed on to them. The word “tradition” means something handed on, and as we run the race that is set before us, we need to make sure that the next generation of runners is fully up to speed.

Find more info on Higher Things at http://higherthings.org/

Basement Water Project Completed!

Click here to view these pictures larger

THE NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (August 2, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

Order of Service - Matins (LSB 219)

Opening Versicles LSB 219

PSALMODY

Antiphon (Common) LSB 220
Venite LSB 220
Antiphon (Common) LSB 221
Psalm Psalm 145:10–21
Office Hymn: 918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer LSB 918

READINGS

Readings From Holy Scripture
Old Testament Reading Exodus 16:2–15
Epistle Ephesians 4:1–16
Holy Gospel John 6:22–35
Responsory Common LSB 221
Sermon

CANTICLE

Te Deum LSB 223
Offering

PRAYER

Kyrie LSB 227
Lord's Prayer
Collect of the Day
Additional Collects of Intercession and Thanksgiving
Collect for Grace
Benedicamus LSB 228
Benediction LSB 234

Hymn: 685 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus LSB 685

THE EIGHT SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (JULY 26, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Hymn of Invocation: 506 Glory Be to God the Father LSB 506
Invocation LSB 203
Exhortation LSB 203
Confession of Sins LSB 203
Absolution LSB 203

SERVICE OF THE WORD

Introit Introit for The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Ps. 145:1–3, 6–7; antiphon: Ps. 145:5
Kyrie LSB 204
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204
Salutation and Collect of the Day Collect for The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament Reading Genesis 9:8–17
Epistle Ephesians 3:14–21
Alleluia and Verse LSB 205
Holy Gospel Mark 6:45–56

Nicene Creed
Hymn of the Day: 731 O God, Forsake Me Not LSB 731
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
Offering

SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

LPreface LSB 208
Sanctus LSB 208
Prayer of Thanksgiving Prayer of Thanksgiving for The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord's Prayer
The Words of Our Lord
Pax Domini LSB 209
Agnus Dei LSB 210
Distribution Hymn: 715 Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me LSB 715
Distribution Hymn: 617 O Lord, We Praise Thee LSB 617
Nunc Dimittis LSB 211
Post-Communion Collect
Benedicamus and Benediction
Hymn: 918 Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer LSB 918

Rev. Cwirla's "Sola Top Ten"

Here's at Higher Things Sola 2009 top ten list from Pr. Cwirla (I whole heartedly agree!)

Top ten higher things at the Sola - San Antonio Higher Things youth conference:

10.  Chris Loemker on the organ - Chris Rocks absolutely!

9.  Listening to Bill Weedon burst into Latin

8.  Bruce Keseman's PowerPoint

7.  CCVs

6. Kellee's chocolate fountain at the development reception - Wow!

5.  Conference staff - Gina, Sue, Ann, Lynea, Hannah, David, Jacob, Carl, Daniel, Stan, Kellee, Sandra, Brent, Duane, Erin, Jason, Landon, Mark, Jon, George, Paul, Ringo....

4.  San Antonio Zoo - steaming hot but awesome animals!

3.  Ray Reed's Texas brisquit - holy smoke!

2.  The Holst Te Deum

1.  800+ Kids Darin' to be Lutheran

HT: http://blog.higherthings.org/wcwirla/article/4252.html

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost; July 19, 2009

Liturgical Color: Green

Order of Service Matins (LSB 220)

PSALMODY
VENITE LSB 220
ANTIPHON (COMMON) LSB 221
PSALM Psalm 23:1–6

OFFICE HYMN: 728 HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION LSB 728

READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE

OLD TESTAMENT Jeremiah 23:1–6
EPISTLE Ephesians 2:11–22
HOLY GOSPEL Mark 6:30–44

RESPONSORY COMMON LSB 221

SERMON

TE DEUM LSB 223
OFFERING
PRAYER
KYRIE LSB 227
LORD'S PRAYER
COLLECTS
BENEDICAMUS LSB 228
BENEDICTION LSB 234

HYMN: 912 CHRIST IS OUR CORNERSTONE LSB 912

My Sola 09 - Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Technorati Tags: Higherthings,Youth Group,Sola2009

The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost (June 14, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

Confession and Absolution

Hymn of Invocation: 689 Let Me Be Thine Forever LSB 689
Invocation LSB 203
Exhortation LSB 203
Confession of Sins LSB 203
Absolution LSB 203

Service of the Word

Introit for The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Ps. 143:1–2, 8a; antiphon: Ps. 143:11
Kyrie LSB 204
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204
Collect for The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament Reading Amos 7:7–15
Epistle Ephesians 1:3–14
Alleluia and Verse LSB 205
Holy Gospel Mark 6:14–29

Nicene Creed
Hymn of the Day: 732 All Depends on Our Possessing LSB 732
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
Offering

Service of the Sacrament

Preface LSB 208
Sanctus LSB 208
Prayer of Thanksgiving for The Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord's Prayer
The Words of Our Lord
Pax Domini LSB 209
Agnus Dei LSB 210
Distribution Hymn: 618 I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table LSB 618
Distribution Hymn: 716 I Walk in Danger All the Way LSB 716
Nunc Dimittis LSB 211
Post-Communion Collect
Benedicamus and Benediction
Hymn: 917 Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise LSB 917

2.Corinthians.12.1-10;Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5, 2009

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I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I 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. And 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— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though 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. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of 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 becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But 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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:1-10, ESV)

Grace and peace to you from Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Conceit is a dangerous thing. In the scramble to get along in this world a little conceit seems to go a long way. It was Andy Warhol who said that in the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes. I think he really meant that to be a good thing about the future. But now that we are here, I’m not so sure. Isn’t a lot of what’s going on in the world today based on conceit? A cell phone means I’m so important I can’t afford to miss a single call. No matter what conversation is taking place that cell phone call takes priority. Everyone rolls their eyes at the guy who takes a call during a movie, but if the little thing starts giggling in your pocket (or mine) we are very likely to answer it too. Whatever the call is, it’s more important, I’m more important, than whatever I’m doing right now. I’m more important than the commotion caused by my need to answer the phone. In fact, when was the last time you went to a large gathering of people and you didn’t hear the phone ring? Do you have a Facebook account? Just the name alone has conceit in it; my “face” out there for the world to see. I use it. I’ve gotten in touch with some friends that I hadn’t seen in years. Actually, I’ve not really spoken to them. I just know what they had for breakfast. If you know what Twitter is… it’s even more brief. In 140 characters describe what you are doing right now. (Actually, it is never really true, because you’ve interrupted whatever you are doing to send a twitter message!) Everyone in the world wants to know what I’m doing right now. By the way, I had a half a grapefruit, cheerios, dry toast, and coffee for breakfast. With Twitter you are never out of touch ‘cause your ‘tweets’ come and go from your cell phone. It’s a way to ‘publish’ your text messages “What am I doing right now” to the world. And just to overload the point… how many reality TV programs are there now? The networks get the best of both worlds here. They are cheap to make, controversial, widely popular, ratings grabbers. What a platform for commercials. You do know that that is what TV is all about, selling stuff. And it’s all based on conceit. Really it is. My life is important enough that everyone should know what I’m doing. I’ve got drama and intrigue enough to spare and everyone should be interested in my life. I’ve got it all! Look at me! I deserve to be famous. A recent poll said that a majority of young adults believe that fame is a reasonable way for a person with no talent to make a living. That’s what conceit is. I’m worth the all attention.

Well, I guess it’s a good thing we are immune to conceit in the church right? Hardly, God does something great and we are the first to take the credit. It is one of my pet peeves. Someone asks how big your church is. “Well, we worship around 100 people every Sunday.” No! We worship God, in Trinity and Unity, the one who saved us from sin, death and hell through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We don’t worship people! I think in a way we try to say, “we must be doing something right because we have these people in church.” It is especially hard for pastors to set aside themselves when things are going well in a congregation. After all there is a certain character trait in all pastors that makes the want to be the center of attention. If we didn’t have it we couldn’t be a pastor. And yet, the work that happens in the church is God’s work, not the pastor’s. If a church is growing as God would have it grow it is doing so because the Holy Spirit is working through Word and Sacrament. But, people want to give credit to people. Pastors want to take credit for themselves. Let’s make this very personal. In my sinful nature I want to take credit for all the good things that have happened here at Trinity. My conceit tells me I’m the reason. The Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin and shows me the forgiveness of the cross. Please remember, nothing good that happens here is because of me, rather the Holy Spirit works through God’s Word and Sacrament, convicting people of their sin and showing them their Savior, Jesus Christ. To God be all the Glory for His Work in the church. I am only trying to be faithful to what I have been given to do. So much for the pastor’s confession.

How about you? Where does your conceit lie? Do you look to the culture around you to determine what’s good for you? Do you want your fifteen minutes of fame? Do you want credit for your support of the church, as if the church would collapse without you? Does everything have to be done your way; because you are just conceited enough to think that your way is the only right way? Do you come and sit in the same seat so everyone knows you’ve been here? At least you’ve been a faithful teacher, weather or not the kids have learned the truth about our faith. Do you count your faithfulness to the church through all its trouble the reason this church is still here? You see folks, here’s the rub, isn’t it? There are a great many good things that you have done and do on a regular basis for this church. But instead of seeing them as God working through you, you want to take the credit. Better yet, someone else recognizes you for doing it. When was the last time you were disgusted because you didn’t get a thank you. Do you see the sin here? You see when we read this text we tend to look at Paul as if he had some special predisposition to the sin of conceit. We think that God had to do something to prevent him from taking credit where no credit was due. But Paul is simply being human. His temptation to conceit is no different from yours our mine. So here we are, you, me, St. Paul pointing to ourselves asking for credit that isn’t ours to take.

Whenever we talk about our story of sin, we find the same story in the Garden. Conceit was at the heart of what Adam and Eve did when they disobeyed God.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6, ESV)

“the tree was to be desired to make one wise.” Eve wanted that wisdom for herself. She wanted to make her own decisions about right and wrong. She wanted to have control for herself, and take the credit for herself. She didn’t want to be dependant on God, or Adam or anyone. Conceit is to think of yourself more highly than you ought. She thought of herself more important than God. And Adam, well he was standing right by her the whole time egging her on. He wanted it, too. He just made his wife do it first.

That’s conceit, really; placing ourselves above God; thinking of ourselves more highly than God; putting God in his place, below us. We do it, all the time. And it is a dangerous place to be. If we want to be on our own before God, we can do that. But imagine standing before God in the final judgment. He says, “Do you have anything to say in your defense?” What can we offer? Half righteous works that we did for our own benefit? Gifts that we gave to the church with a grudging heart or in hopes of receiving accolades from others? None of that will stand up to a judge who demands perfection. When we stand on our own, when we are taking credit, all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags, polluted by sin. And the wages of sin is death, eternal death.

So now you see what St. Paul is talking about. God beat down his sin with a healthy dose of the law. For him it came in this “thorn in the flesh.” It kept him humble. It kept him focusing on Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of his sin. It kept reminding him that all that God was doing was God’s doing. After all it is God’s doing that really matters isn’t it? We are filled with conceit. Jesus humbled himself on the cross and shed his blood to cleanse us of all our sin. We are full of ourselves. Jesus thought of nothing but us as he bled and died. We take credit. Jesus gives all glory to God the Father and submits to God’s will perfectly. Even to death on the cross. We think we know what’s best. Jesus takes the difficult road to the cross, the only way for sinners to be saved. It is there on the cross that your sin is forgiven. It is there on the cross that God does something about your self-centered conceit. It is there on the cross that God washes you clean through Jesus blood. It is there on the cross the God himself in Jesus Christ suffers the eternal punishment you deserve for thinking more of yourself than others and God. You are his baptized, loved, forgiven child. Through the washing of water and the Word you are dead to the sin of conceit.

Consider Paul’s words in Romans, he is speaking about God’s work for you in Jesus, through Holy Baptism:

Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:8-11, ESV)

So what do we do? What does it mean to be dead to sin? Work hard. Do what’s necessary for the church to continue doing its work. Make sure Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sin is proclaimed from this pulpit. Give generously to the budget of the church and for missionaries in all parts of the world. Care for your neighbors when they need it, no matter what the need. Feed your family. Tell people about the forgiveness that God has for them in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Confess your conceit in all these things. Take your sin to Jesus. He will wash you in his blood shed on the cross. Open your mouth and receive the forgiveness that God pours into you through Jesus’ body and blood. And then rejoice in what he is doing in his church through you, in spite of your sin. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (July 5, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

Order of Matins LSB 219

Opening Versicles LSB 219
Venite LSB 220
Antiphon (Common) LSB 221
Psalm Psalm 123:1–4
Office Hymn: 839 O Christ, Our True and Only Light LSB 839

Readings From Holy Scripture
Old Testament Reading Ezekiel 2:1–5
Epistle 2 Corinthians 12:1–10
Holy Gospel Mark 6:1–13

Responsory Common LSB 221
Sermon
Te Deum LSB 223
Offering
Prayer
Kyrie LSB 227
Lord's Prayer
Collect for The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
Additional Collects of Intercession and Thanksgiving
Collect for Grace
Benedicamus LSB 228
Benediction LSB 234
Hymn: 966 Before You, Lord, We Bow LSB 966

July Chimes Available

 

The July Edition
of the Chimes Newsletter
is available at

July Chimes (pdf format)

"Chimes" is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, IA for subscription information please contact the Chimes Editor

Adult Bible Class - White Horse Inn, Basic Doctrine Quiz (Continued)

June 28, 2009 

This week we are continuing or study The White Horse Inn - Basic Doctrine Quiz.

White Horse Inn is a nationally syndicated radio talk show hosted by Michael Horton, Rod Rosenbladt, Kim Riddlebarger and Ken Jones. On the air since 1990, the show features a regular roundtable discussion of Christian theology and apologetics. 

 

The main motivation for holiness is fear of punishment and hope of reward.

• False.
• This Error is an improper distinction between Justification and Sanctification
• i.e. John Wesley (Methodism)
• Justification – Coming to faith
• Sanctification – Growing in faith

Resource: The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel  (@cph)

• Author: C. F. W. Walther – 1st President of the Missouri Synod
• Seminal work
• Definition of “Missouri Synod Lutheran”
• The true knowledge of the distinction between the Law and the Gospel is not only a glorious light, affording the correct understanding of the entire Holy Scriptures, but without this knowledge Scripture is and remains a sealed book.

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (June 28, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (June 28, 2009)

Confession and Absolution

Hymn of Invocation: 737 Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing LSB 737
Invocation LSB 203
Confession of Sins LSB 203
Absoluton LSB 203

Service of the Word

Introit Introit for The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Ps. 121:5–8; antiphon: Ps. 121:1–2
Kyrie LSB 204
Gloria in Excelsis LSB 204
Collect for The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Old Testament Reading Lamentations 3:22–33
Epistle 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, 13–15
Holy Gospel Mark 5:21–43

Nicene Creed
Hymn of the Day: 742 For Me to Live Is Jesus LSB 742
Sermon
Prayer of the Church
Offering

Service of the Sacrament

Preface LSB 208
Sanctus LSB 208
Prayer of Thanksgiving for The Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
Lord's Prayer
The Words of Our Lord
Pax Domini LSB 209
Agnus Dei LSB 210
Distribution

Distribution Hymn: 922 Go, My Children, with My Blessing LSB 922
Distribution Hymn: 760 What God Ordains Is Always Good LSB 760

Nunc Dimittis LSB 211
Post-Communion Collect
Benedicamus and Benediction

Hymn: 390 Let Us All with Gladsome Voice LSB 390

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, VBS Registration

Mission society wins lawsuit on 'leafleting' gay festival

June 18, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 50

Mission society wins lawsuit on 'leafleting' gay festival

By Paula Schlueter Ross

The Apple of His Eye, a St. Louis-based LCMS mission society, is free to distribute religious literature at public events in the city of St. Louis, according to a U.S. District Court judge.

On June 11, Judge Henry Autrey signed a permanent order that bars the city from arresting or threatening to arrest members of The Apple of His Eye while they are handing out their literature.

The First Amendment lawsuit was filed last year after Apple of His Eye missionary Alan Butterworth and founder Steve Cohen were distributing free religious tracts in the city's Tower Grove Park during a 2006 "gay pride" event.  Both men were first told to cease literature distribution at PrideFest, and later told to vacate the premises or face arrest.

The attorney for The Apple of His Eye, Rick Nelson of the American Liberties Institute in Orlando, Fla., brought the matter to the city's attorneys, hoping for an amicable resolution.  When no progress was made, the lawsuit was filed by the mission society on May 1, 2008.

Cohen said the group "got tired of being threatened with arrest" and "just wanted to bring it to an end."  Cohen and a seminary student recently were confronted by police at two events in April -- the women's Final Four basketball tournament and opening day of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball season.

"When religious freedom is at stake," Cohen said, "I've always felt that our constitutional rights here in the United States should be affirmed and upheld, and that's what we tried to do."

The Gospel handouts, or "broadsides" -- written especially for the PrideFest event -- did not mention homosexuality, but focused on the fact that "all of us are sinful.  All of us fall short," said Cohen.  "But God loves us so much that -- while we were yet sinners -- He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

"We can't tell people how to live," he added, "but we can tell people what Jesus did for them.  And from there, the work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is powerful and mighty and capable of bringing change."

As a result of the lawsuit, the city has rescinded a part of its bylaws that bans literature distribution and is required to let police and PrideFest organizers know that handing out religious fliers is allowed.

Cohen says he is "thrilled" at the judge's decision and will be at this year's PrideFest, June 27-28 in St. Louis.  He said he is hoping for 15 to 20 volunteers to join him.

"Going out and talking to people about Jesus is one of the best ways you learn to sharpen your own skills in personal witness," he said, and volunteers don't have to be Jewish.  The society's mission is to "boldly declare Y'shua (Jesus) as the Messiah for both Jews and gentiles," and to "urgently equip the church to do the same."

The ministry's work "is with anybody who is unchurched and needs to hear who Jesus is," according to Cohen.

"Our prayer is that Christians will take seriously the Great Commission and take the initiative to reach out in their own communities as opportunities become available," he said.  "We can help!"

The Apple of His Eye offers free religious handouts that congregations can print and distribute.  In fact, Cohen says he will even write a Gospel tract for a specific event, if a congregation requests it, and offers free PDF copies of his book, Beginning from Jerusalem, a 156-page primer on sharing your faith with others.

His organization routinely hands out broadsides at sporting events, concerts, parades, festivals, and other public gatherings that allow it "to maximize the opportunities to reach a lot of people in a short amount of time."  Often, volunteers will begin a conversation with, "What do you think of Jesus?"

The Apple of His Eye distributed about 60,000 Gospel tracts during a recent "Taste of Chicago" event, which led to "hundreds and hundreds of conversations, and of those conversations, about 200 people gave us their names and addresses for follow-up," Cohen said.  Those contacts are forwarded to local LCMS congregations and the Jews for Jesus organization.

For more information about The Apple of His Eye, contact Cohen at steve.cohen@appleofhiseye.org or 636-326-4040, ext. 3.  Or, visit the ministry's Web site at www.appleofhiseye.org.

Technorati Tags: Apple of His Eye,Persecution,LCMS,Mission Work

Our New Johannes Opus 17 Organ Installed

 

Our new organ was installed on June 2, 2009.  Watch for a dedication recital in the near future!

The Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 21, 2009)

Liturgical Color: Green

The Third Sunday after Pentecost (June 21, 2009)
Order of Matins

Psalmody
Venite LSB 220
Antiphon (Common) LSB 221
Psalm Psalm 124:1–8

Office Hymn: 726 Evening and Morning LSB 726

Readings From Holy Scripture

Old Testament Reading Job 38:1–11
Epistle 2 Corinthians 6:1–13
Holy Gospel Mark 4:35–41

Responsory Common LSB 221
Sermon
Canticle Te Deum LSB 223
Offering
Prayer
Kyrie LSB 227
Lord's Prayer
Collect of the Day Collect for The Third Sunday after Pentecost
Additional Collects of Intercession and Thanksgiving
Collect for Grace
Benedicamus LSB 228
Benediction LSB 234

Hymn: 722 Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me LSB 722

Good Questions to Ask (Tiller's) Pastors

Dave Welch has a great article yesterday at World Net Daily (June 2) (http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=99830) asking the right questions about Abortionist Dr. Tiller's church and pastors.  It gets to the very heart at what the Church is and exactly what its mission is.  His question is a good question for all congregations and pastors to consider.  Welch asks:

I have to ask the question that is one which strikes at the heart of much of our spiritual, social, moral and political condition today. What was he being taught in this church? Tiller was obviously comfortable in this church, and it is evident that the pastoral leadership was comfortable with him.

He responds what a nice analogy and a great Law / Gospel distinction.  

In an analogy that may bring some criticism, suppose a known drug lord or pimp attended this church and gave substantial contributions? Would he have been given the status and gratitude for his generosity that Tiller apparently enjoyed? Those others may be operating outside the boundaries of man's law while Tiller was within; however, all were equally outside the laws of God.

We live in a day where the power of God is non-existent in many churches – possibly most – because we have either rejected the authority of Scripture, or more predominantly in the evangelical church we are focused far more on "comforting the afflicted" than "afflicting the comfortable." We should do both.

Welch zeros in on the exact problem.  Churches have "rejected the authority of scripture," he says.  They are more interested in filling coliseums, expanding buildings, and conforming to business models that promote "growth" than the real mission of the church.   His exposition of Matthew 28 is right on target.

The passage in Matthew 28:18-20 known as the Great Commission does not command us to fill coliseums, expand our buildings, or increase our budgets – or accommodate the world. It does command us to do three things:

1. Make disciples of the nations – disciples are "pupils";
2. Baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – spiritual rebirth is FIRST;
3. Teach them to observe all He commanded – All four elements are essential:
   – Teach – Impart with integrity to the text and context
   – All – Don’t leave anything out between Genesis and Revelation
   – He – Jesus was involved in authoring all Scripture
   – Commanded – If we want the "benefits," we must follow "The Way."

When will the American Church wake up and break off its love affair with death, sodomy, and earthly wealth?  Lord, have mercy. 

Pastor Watt.

 http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=99830

Technorati Tags: Church Growth,Tiller,Abortion,Church,Pro-Life

Festival of the Holy Trinity (June 7, 2009)

Liturgical Color: White

Festival of the Holy Trinity (June 7, 2009)
Divine Service, Setting Four

Confession and Absolution

Hymn of Invocation: O Sing to the Lord sts. 1–5 LSB 808
Invocation LSB 151
Exhortation LSB 151
Confession of Sins LSB 151
Absolution LSB 151

Service of the Word

Introit Introit for The Holy Trinity Ps. 16:8–11; antiphon: Liturgical Text
Kyrie LSB 152
Hymn of Praise Alabaré - I LSB 799
Salutation and Collect of the Day Collect for The Holy Trinity

First Reading Isaiah 6:1–8
Epistle Acts 2:14, 22–36
Common Alleluia and Verse LSB 156
Holy Gospel John 3:1–17

Hymn of the Day: Hark, the Voice of Jesus Crying LSB 826
Sermon
Athanasian Creed LSB 319
Prayer of the Church
Offering
Offertory LSB 159

Service of the Sacrament

Preface LSB 160
Proper Preface (Full) Proper Preface for The Holy Trinity
Sanctus LSB 161
Prayer of Thanksgiving LSB 161

Lutherans For Life Statement on the George Tiller Murder

June 1, 2009

Lutherans For Life (LFL) joins pro-life groups across the country in extending our sympathy to the family of George Tiller, the late-term abortionist who was gunned down Sunday morning in his church. We join other pro-life groups in denouncing this action as evil. No circumstances justify the violent murder of another human being.

God’s Word tells us not to fight evil with evil but to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Based on that same Word of God, LFL believes that abortion is a great evil, the violent murder of another human being that deeply grieves the Author and Redeemer of life. But we oppose the use of evil to overcome this evil. We have the greatest “good” there is to use against it, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LFL strives to apply the Gospel to the life issues, to change hearts and minds so that people will turn to the Lord of Life and not the god of death as the solution to difficult circumstances. We want to make the killing of children in the sanctity of the womb as unthinkable and deplorable as the killing of George Tiller in the sanctity of his church.

While George Tiller was a member of a Lutheran denomination that does not officially oppose abortion, it should be noted that almost all other Lutheran denominations do take an official stance that opposes abortion and asserts the God-given value of human life from conception to natural death.

We commend the Tiller family and all affected by this tragic event into the loving arms of a crucified and risen Savior. May He be at work in all of this according to His good and gracious will.

http://lutheransforlife.org/

Technorati Tags: abortion,tiller,Lutherans for Life

Missional and Liturgical... Possible?

Often the dichotomy is drawn between Missional and Liturgical. "You can't be interested in 'reaching people for Jesus' and hold on to that old stuffy liturgy." Here's an example of both together.

(HT: Cyberbrethren)

In a world that is moving faster and faster and farther and farther away from stability, we find comfort in the stability of Jesus Christ our Savior. He comes to us in Word and Sacrament every week. We hear over and over again of the great love of God in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Traditional worship offers us the opportunity to slow down and receive the gifts God gives in the same way as Christians have received them for two thousand years.

 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church offers traditional historic worship services centered on Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of sin.

In the Divine Service God comes to us in Word and Sacrament (Holy Baptism and Holy Communion) to give us the forgiveness of sins won for us by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Please join us as God brings to us these amazing gifts.

June Chimes Available

 

The June Edition
of the Chimes Newsletter
is available at

June Chimes (pdf format)

"Chimes" is the monthly newsletter of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Creston, IA for subscription information please contact the Chimes Editor

Organ Replacement. (Updated 5-26-2009)

Totals to Date

3-May Cash:200; Pledge: 1,400; Total: 1,600

10-May Cash: 1450; Pledge: 4,475; Total: 5,925

17-May Cash: 500; Pledge: 875; Total: 1,375

24-May Cash: 575; Pledge: 1,275; Total 1,850

Memorials Dedicated to Organ: $2,193

Total: $12,935

Thanks be to God!  He has blessed us with a new organ to replace our old faithful (but worn out) one.  Thanks to all who pledged and gave to this project. 

This organ, a Johannes Opus 17, is of very high quality.  Simple, yet elegant, and easy to install, it has many features needed to reliably accompany us during the Divine Service.  The warranty is outstanding, offering ten years on the electronic components, five years on all other components and three years on labor.

The Organ will be installed as soon as we can get some training for the organists.

Festival of Pentecost, May 31, 2009

Liturgical Color: Red

Festival of Pentecost, May 31, 2009
Divine Service 1, LSB 151
No Holy Communion

Confession and Absolution

Opening Hymn 497 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord      LSB 497
Invocation     LSB 151
Exhortation     LSB 151
Confession of Sins     LSB 151
Absolution     LSB 151

Service of the Word

Introit for The Day of Pentecost Ps. 104:24, 27–28, 30; antiphon: Liturgical Text
Kyrie     LSB 152
Hymn of Praise 799 Alabaré - I      LSB 799
Collect for The Day of Pentecost     

First Reading    Ezekiel 37:1–14
Response Hymn 808 O Sing to the Lord     sts. 1–5  LSB 808
Epistle    Acts 2:1–21
Common Alleluia and Verse     LSB 156
Holy Gospel    John 15:26–27; 16:4–15

Hymn of the Day 491 Up through Endless Ranks of Angels      LSB 491
Sermon
Apostles' Creed   
Prayer of the Church
Offering
Offertory     LSB 159
Lord's Prayer   
Benediction
Closing Hymn 895 Now Thank We All Our God      LSB 895

Announcements for May 24, 2009

Announcements

Our missionary Pastor Dan Vogel will be our special guest on June 7^th. Pastor Vogel will be bringing us news of his work among our Hispanic brothers and sisters here in Iowa. He will also share with us God’s Word as our guest preacher and bible class leader. There will be a pot-luck lunch following pr. Vogel’s bible class!

Please give items for the Sunday bulletin to pastor in writing in the mailbox slot "bulletin" (found at the lower left side of the member mailboxes in the narthex) or eMail them to bulletin@trinitycreston.org

Please notify pastor when you make a change to the church calendar outside the church office.

Please place articles for the Chimes in the "Chimes" mailbox found at the lower left side of the member mailboxes, or eMail articles to chimes@TrinityCreston.org

New eMails! Please take note of these changes in Trinity's eMail addresses. Trinity Lutheran Church - tlc@TrinityCreston.org; Pastor - pastor@TrinityCreston.org; Chimes Articles - chimes@TrinityCreston.org; Bulletin Announcements - bulletin@TrinityCreston.org; Preschool Teachers - preschool@TrinityCreston.org

Lutheran Witness Subscriptions! Please notify pastor if you want to receive the Lutheran Witness.

Please contact Bill Magers if you are willing to help mow the church property.

Adult Bible Class today is at 10:15am. We are continuing our Basic Doctrine Quiz. Topic today “True or False: The Bible teaches that there is an age of accountability, and that children who die before this age go to heaven because they are innocent.”

Life Qutoe: "As many as an estimated nine out of ten children with Down syndrome are aborted in the womb, sought out by increasingly sophisticated prenatal tests and eliminated as too flawed, too burdensome, too different to live. This is the ugly eugenic underbelly of American life, even as we congratulate ourselves on our tolerance and diversity." Rich Lowry, columnist This "Life Quote" is from Lutherans For Life – www.lutheransforlife.org.

Stewardship for the 7th Sunday of Easter 1 John 5:9-15: Christian stewards have courage in God’s presence because we are sure that He hears us if we ask for anything that is according to His will. God’s love is shown in giving; our love is also shown in giving.

There will be a voters meeting today, immediately following worship to make a final decision on the Organ.

You are cordially invited to a retirement celebration dinner for Reverend Larry Troxel on August 22, 2009 at 6pm. Tony's East Room 810 Hampshire Quincy, IL

CONTENDING FOR TRUTH IN AN AGE OF ANTI-TRUTH...Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. Topics include: Is Islam a Religion of Peace?, "Angels & Demons" by Dan Brown, Adoption, Decision Theology, Handel's Messiah and more. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org.

This Week at Trinity

Sun May 24 7th Sunday of Easter

9am Divine Service with Holy Communion

10:30am Voter's Meeting (Organ project)

10:15am Sunday School

Adult Bible Class will follow the Voter’s Meeting.

Mon May 25 Pastor's Day Off - Memorial Day

Tue May 26 SWCC - Early Childhood Board Workshop

6:30am Early Risers (HyVee)

1:30pm Sermon Broadcast on

PirateChristianaRadio.com

Wed May 27 7:30pm Trustees Meeting

Sat May 30 10am Pastor at Convention Committee Mtg.

Grace Luth. Storm Lake, IA

Sun May 31 The Festival of Pentecost

Guest preacher Pr. Dan Vogel

9am Divine Service

10:15am Sunday School and Bible Classes

11:30am Mission Fest Pot-Luck.

God’s People at Prayer

Cancer: Lynne Reeves

Cancer: McKenna Brown

Cancer: Shelly Cabbage, Friend of Phil and Anita Wardenburg.

Cancer: Trevor Hanson

Cancer: Vyck - Bill Mager's brother-in-Law

Cancer: Patty - Bill Mager's sister

Critically Ill: Bob Rassmussen.

Recovering: Joel Herzberg:

Critically Ill: Baby Kaylee

Ill: Jessica - Neice of Marti Williams

Missions: Rev. Daniel Vogel, Missionary to Hispanic in Dennison

Missions: Rev. Dennis Konkel Missionary to the Deaf in Des Moines

Shut-ins: Ruth Chase, Dale Keating, Wilma Cottrell, Pauline Young

Serving Today:

Altar: Gene and Dorothy Cook, Pat Barkalow

Organist: Sharon Ekland

Elder: Chuck Bowman

Acolyte: Jay Wolfe

Finance: Jay Bochart, Chuck Bowman

Ushers: Karl Peterson, Darwin Scott, Jack Quee, Lynn Kruse

Serving Next Sunday, May 31

Acolyte: Madison Peterson

Orgainist: Julie Lang

Altar: Gene and Dorothy Cook, Pat Barkalow

Elder: Gene Cook

Finance: Jay Bochart, Chuck Bowman

Ushers: Karl Peterson, Darwin Scott, Jack Quee, Lynn Kruse