THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT MARCH 13/14, 2010

“CONNECTING PEOPLE TO JESUS AND TO ONE ANOTHER TO SERVE THE WORLD”

As We Gather

Three powerful passages form our Scripture readings today. “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation . . . make known among the nations what He has done” declares the prophet Isaiah in our Old Testament reading. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” declares Paul in our Epistle reading. And our Gospel is the story of the Prodigal Son, a story of rebellion and repentance, of love and forgiveness. These passages all point us to the creative, redemptive love and grace of our God. May our worship this day reflect the joy and hope that are ours as the children of God!

PRELUDE

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

OPENING HYMN: “Amazing Grace” Hymn #744

THE INVOCATION

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

BAPTISM (10:45 am service) Kellan Brody Strubel

THE CONFESSION OF SINS AND ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.

(Please kneel)

Most merciful God,

We confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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THE HYMN OF PRAISE: “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” (Hymn #803)

Joyful, joyful we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love!

Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, praising Thee, their sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the gloom of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,

Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, fountainhead of love divine:

Joyful, we Thy heav’n inherit! Joyful, we by grace are Thine!

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

Heavenly Father, when we have strayed, You have welcomed us home and reconciled us to Yourself. By Your grace, keep us from our foolish ways, hold us in Your loving arms, and empower us to be Your messengers of reconciliation in this world; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

(Please be seated.)

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING: Isaiah 12:1-6 (God’s faithfulness nurtures faith in the heart and a song on the lips.)

¹ In that day you will say: "I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.

² Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

³ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

⁴ In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

⁵ Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

⁶ Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

ANTHEM (8:00 am service) “Feed My Sheep” Festival Choir

THE EPISTLE READING: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (Those who are reconciled to God are a new creation and are entrusted with the message of reconciliation.)

¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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THE LENTEN VERSE:

THE HOLY GOSPEL IS ANNOUNCED:

The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke the fifteenth chapter.

THE GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 (The parable of two lost sons and a father’s lavish, extravagant grace.)

¹ Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. ² But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

³ Then Jesus told them this parable: "There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

¹³ "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ "When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹ "The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ' <sup>22</sup> "But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

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²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ `Your brother has come,' he replied, `and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

²⁸ "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, `Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

³¹ " `My son,' the father said, `you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

THE HYMN OF THE DAY: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” Hymn #700

THE MESSAGE “New Creations!” based on 2 Cor. 5:16-21

THE FIRST ARTICLE OF THE APOSTLES’ CREED AND DR. LUTHER’S EXPLANATION:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

What does this mean?

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.

He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.

He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

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THE GATHERING OF THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

++ For Personal Reflection ++

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith— and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

OFFERTORY: “We Praise You, O God” (Hymn #785)

We praise You, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;

In grateful devotion our tribute we bring.

We lay it before You, we kneel and adore You;

We bless Your holy name, glad praises we sing.

With voices united our praises we offer

And gladly our songs of thanksgiving we raise.

With You, Lord, beside us, Your strong arm will guide us.

To You, our great Redeemer, forever be praise!

THE PRAYERS: After each petition, the Worship Leader will say, “Lord in Your mercy,” and the congregation will respond, “Hear our prayer.”

THE LORD’S PRAYER (7:00 pm and 8:00 am services only)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

THE BENEDICTION

The Lord bless us and keep us. The Lord make His face shine on us and be gracious to us. The Lord look upon us with favor and give us peace.

Amen.

THE CLOSING HYMN: “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness” Hymn #563

A MOMENT FOR SILENT PRAYER

THE POSTLUDE

Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.

Divine Service Two, First Setting from Lutheran Worship © 1982 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.

All scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Midweek Lenten Service – Our service this Wednesday at 7:00 pm has the theme: “How Can I Believe in a God Who Would . . .?” We will ask some of those tough questions about why God allows suffering and pain and death into our lives. And don’t forget our meal together, served at 6:00 pm in the Michael Fellowship Hall. This week’s menu is taco salad, chips, drinks and dessert. Fill out the menu insert and drop it in the offering plate to reserve your seat!

Council Planning Retreat – Officers and board chairpersons, don’t forget our Planning Retreat this Saturday, March 20^th, from 9:00 am till noon in the Annex.

This week’s Altar Flowers are provided by Debbie Strange in honor of Karen’s birthday and by Dwight & Marlene in honor of their wedding anniversary.

LWML Rally is April 17^th here at Mt. Calvary.  We have sign-up sheets in the hallway to help provide the food and help with the rally.  All ladies of Mt. Calvary are invited.  Also, we have a sign-up sheet for people to help with food for a funeral.  This saves us a lot of time.  Thank you in advance for all you do.  The Ladies Guild 

Spring Clean Up Day is Saturday, March 27^th from 8 am - Noon - The Trustees invite you to help with the Spring beautification of the Church property. Come help and join in the fellowship with other members as we prepare for the Resurrection celebration.

Good Friday Prayer Vigil - Come and spend a quiet time in prayer on Good Friday, April 2^nd,

between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm. Contemplate the love of our Lord and how much that love cost Him. Take this time to converse with the God who loves you and gave His own Son for you. You may come and go as you please during these nine hours. You can spend an hour or just a few minutes. Come, and you will experience the presence of our Lord as you spend time with Him.

Adult Senior Fellowship meets this coming Thursday, March 18^th, at 11 am. Come join us for a potluck lunch and a great time of fellowship. Invite a friend – everyone 55 and older is welcome.

Food for the Poor wishes to thank you for the welcome you extended to Pastor Volz on his recent visit to your parish. On behalf of our less fortunate brothers and sisters of Latin America and the Caribbean, we thank you for having shared in their lives. They, and you, are blessed by your generosity. - In Christ, the Food for the Poor Family

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of John Steese from Brian Parsons, Sheldon Eike, Bridget & Kevin Lanoha, Ezra & Andrea Sassaman, Steese, Evans & Frankel, P.C., Gene & Gerda Rowe, Pat & Champ Aldredge, Bill & Debbie Leipprandt, Dave & Lois Harter, Samie & Hiltraud Culpepper, Jean Dimeler, Laird & Judy Van Gorder, Don & Judy Parrott, John & Marie White, Morning Glories, Carl & Charleen Beahm, Ray & Doris Snow, Debbie Strange, Bob & Carol Yeager, Eric & Tammy Jenkins, Bobby & Patricia Wolfe, Joan & Charles Smith, Alyce Quillin & Margaret McLaughlin, George Steese, Betty Cummings, Steve, Melanie & Abby Soisson, Doug & Deb Fingles and Mike & Joan Michael.

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It’s Almost “Christmas Time”. Once again our congregation is participating in the annual Rebuilding Together (formally Christmas in April) work day – April 24^th. Our congregation has been supporting this effort since its start here in Warner Robins. We have drawn a home with a limited amount of painting/repairs/modifications, etc along with some substantial yard work. To join our team simply, sign up on the sheet posted in the admin hallway. If you have any questions, contact Dick Kesler, 953-9823, Roger Moeller, 923-2866 or Don Netzinger, 953-8277.

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of Emma Zimmerman (Lena Grube’s sister) from Vivian Stilley and Betty Cummings.

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of Jack Thompson (Ginger Martin’s father) from Steve & Jan Kirchoff and Doug & Deb Fingles.

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of Ron Combs from Gene & Gerda Rowe, the Morning Glories, Bob & Carol Yeager and Bobby & Patricia Wolfe.

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of Dottie Skogen from Gene & Gerda Rowe, Bill & Arlene Zeuner, Samie & Hiltraud Culpepper, the Morning Glories, Don & Judy Parrott and John & Marie White, Doug & Deb Fingles and Mike & Joan Michael.

LIFE QUOTE – “Either all human life—from unborn children to demented mothers and fathers is created … and therefore infinitely precious, or humans are nothing but the result of mere chance, indistinguishable morally from a sand flea. The choice society makes will determine whether the most vulnerable among us will be respected and protected … or whether we will ‘put them down’ when they become a burden.” Chuck Colson, author and founder of Prison Fellowship (This “Life Quote” is from Lutherans For Life – www.lutheransforlife.org)

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Scott McIntyre, who is recovering from shoulder surgery for a dislocated shoulder.

Susan Wallace, who is recovering after having her gall bladder removed.

Marie Gergersen (Karen Harmon’s friend), who is battling cancer.

The family of Jack Thompson, Ginger Martin’s dad, who died recently.

The family of Steve Hunter, John’s father, who died this past week.

Robbie Hooley, who has been diagnosed with liver cancer.

Karen West, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

Don Netzinger, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

Carol Combs, who will be having three disks in her back cemented on March 19^th.

Joan Bareither, whose recent MRI indicated no additional growth of the tumors. Praise to our Great Physician! Pray for continued improvement in her verbal communication skills.

Keep in your prayers: Anita McIntyre, Donna Boyt and her young children Rachel and Jonathan Boyt (friend of Karen Harmon and Rosa Foskey’s granddaughter), Nell Tallent, John Hoar, Teresa Paquet, Betsy Luppino, Joe Hill (Cynthia Nelson’s father), Ruth Loohn (Connie Kinsey’s mom), Jo Ann Smith, Kim Gourley, Gordon Nelson (DJ’s father), Carol Quednow, Rob Schaffer, Wilma Fishbeck, Naomi Clark (friend of Pat Hickman), Betty Kroeger (Nancy Hoar’s mother), Jean Dimeler, Paul Rider, Michelle Brighton, Annamarie vonDebschitz, Charleen Beahm, John Lewis (Julie Dimes’ father), Sam Meador (neighbor of Sue Glaser), Sonya Popken, and Gail Calhoun (Sonya Popken’s mom), that help may be found for their continuing health problems.

All those battling cancer, including Sharon Counselman (Darron’s mom), Lois Harter, Anne Engle, Beth Mastenbrook, Danny Grube, Jan Hatcher (co-worker of Linda O’Donnell), Barbara Arnold (Cindy Schafer’s sister), Sam Jackson, Bruce Oswalt (Krystal Ferguson’s father).

Josh Scott, Lee Brinson, David Fitzgerald, Mark Dawson, Trey Easterling, Christopher Walker, Scott Hall, Danny Purnell, Thomas Jones, Michael Brummage, Gil Holcomb, Brandis Holcomb & John McIlvoy for safety and good health as they serve our country in dangerous areas.

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Mount Calvary Lutheran Youth – T.A.G.

Spaghetti Dinner & Service Auction

Sunday - March 21, 2010

Dinner and Auction Preview 5-6

Auction begins at 6:00

In the Michael Fellowship Hall

The Spaghetti Dinner includes: Spaghetti, meatballs,

garlic bread, salad, dessert and drinks.

Tickets are available after worship or stop by Pete’s office.

The cost for the dinner is $5/person.

Services to be auctioned include: Yard work & Housecleaning crews, Babysitting teams and meals delivered to your home.

Proceeds from this event go to help lower the cost of

youth retreats, mission trips and gatherings.

In addition to the Youth Ministry fund-raiser,

we will be auctioning off two hand-made quilts.

Profits from this sale go to our Ladies’ Guild mission projects.

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SERVING US TODAY

PREACHER: Pastor David Brighton. LITURGIST: Pastor Brighton/Dave Harter. ELDERS: Brian Harper (Sat 7 pm), Doug Gahring (8 am) & Dave Harter (10:45 am). ORGANISTS: Joseph O’Berry (Sat) & Debi Cole (Sun). USHERS: Early – Laird Van Gorder, Louis Foss, Allen Fishbeck & Brian Harper. Late – Alan Griswold, Don Netzinger, D. J. Nelson & Ryan Douglas. ACOLYTES: Kendall Rossman (Wed 7 pm), Austin Burnette (Sat 7 pm), William Fishbeck (8 am) & Brandon Bodony (10:45 am). ALTAR GUILD: Sherry Parsons, Sallie Brinkley, Pat Stetzler & Barbara Locke. LAY READERS: Pruett Burge (Sat 7 pm), Karen Johnson (8 am) & Victoria Shirley (10:45 am).

SERVING US NEXT WEEK

ELDERS: Frank Burkhardt (Wed 7 pm), Fred Hursey (Sat 7 pm), Brian Harper (8 am), Frank Burkhardt (10:45 am) and Chris Dimes (11 am). ACOLYTES: Lucas Jahnke (Wed 7 pm), Ty Spees (Sat 7 pm), Lauren Rossman (8 am) & Sarah Bond10:45 am). ALTAR GUILD: Rosie Cowan, Marjorie Hogan, Wilma Fishbeck & Carolyn Burnam. LAY READERS: Lyn Schultz (Wed 7 pm), Barbara Pirkle (Sat 7 pm), Kathy Robinson (8 am), Cindy Schafer (10:45 am) & Dave Radcliff (11 am).

Next Week’s Readings

Isaiah 43:16-21 and Philippians 4b-14

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK

Midweek Lenten Service - 108

Saturday – 30 Early – 101 Late – 192 Contemporary – 48 Total - 348

THIS WEEK AT MOUNT CALVARY

Today 6:30 pm SLDT

Monday 6:20 pm Evangelism Callers

Tuesday 11:45 am Prayer Group (Bride’s Room)

Wednesday 9:30 am Craft & Chat

12:15 pm Prayer Group

6:00 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Midweek Lent Worship

8:00 pm Choir Rehearsal

Thursday 10:00 am Ladies Bible Study

11:00 am Senior Fellowship

Friday 7:00 pm Married Couples Bible Study

Saturday 9 am – Noon Council Retreat

Next Sunday 5 – 7 pm Spaghetti Dinner & Service Auction