THE Third SUNDAY IN LENT                                                                     march 6/7, 2010

 

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

 

Repent!

The Lenten season is shaped for repentance.  There is a danger, however, in presuming upon God’s grace and love – the danger is that we take it for granted that God will always love and forgive us, to the point that we use our freedom in Christ as license to keep on sinning.  All three of our Scripture readings for today deal with the challenge of faithful living and the threat of God’s wrath against continuing sin.  Look for these themes in the readings today and listen for the word of Good News!

 

Holy Communion

Holy Communion is being celebrated today.  It is the belief of the Lutheran Church, based on Jesus’ own words, that in this Sacrament His body and blood are really present and that forgiveness of sins and the assurance of salvation are offered to all who come confessing their sins and believing in Him.  Communion is therefore offered to those who share this confession of faith.  Children who are not yet confirmed are invited to come forward with their parents to receive a blessing.  Guests who may have questions about Communion at Mt. Calvary are encouraged to talk to Pastor Brighton.

 

PRELUDE

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

 

OPENING HYMN:                  “The God of Abraham Praise”                   Hymn #798, st. 1-4

 

THE INVOCATION

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

Amen.

 

THE CONFESSION OF SINS AND ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

Jesus says, “I tell you, unless you repent, you will all perish.”  Let us confess our sins to God and to one another.

 

(Please kneel)

O God, our Father, since You have set forth the way of life for us in Your beloved Son, we confess with shame our slowness to learn of Him, our failure to follow Him, our reluctance to bear the cross.

Have mercy on us and forgive us, O Lord.

Forgive us the poverty of our worship, our tendency to neglect fellowship and the means of grace, our hesitating witness for Christ, our imperfect stewardship of Your gifts.

Have mercy on us and forgive us, O Lord.

Forgive us that we are too often hasty to condemn, slow to forgive, slow to seek reconciliation, and unwilling to help our neighbors as we ought.

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Have mercy on us and forgive us, O Lord.  According to Your abundant mercy, blot out our transgressions.  Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity and cleanse us from our sins.  Create in us clean hearts, O God, and put a new and right spirit within us.

God has promised forgiveness of sins to those who repent and turn to Him.  It is therefore my joy to announce to you the forgiveness of all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  May God keep you in His grace by the Holy Spirit, lead you to greater faith and obedience, and bring you to live with Him forever, though Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

 

THE HYMN OF RESPONSE:         “Just as I Am, without One Plea”                   (Hymn #570)

 

Just as I am, without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;

Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

Just as I am;  Thy love unknown has broken ev’ry barrier down;

Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

 

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

Eternal Lord, Your kingdom has broken into our troubled world through the life, death, and resurrection of Your Son.  Help us to hear Your Word and obey it so that we become instruments of Your redeeming love in our daily lives; 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:  Ezekiel 33:7-20  (God defends His justice to the Israelites and urges them to turn from their evil ways and live!)

 

    7 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, `O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.

    10 "Son of man, say to the house of Israel, `This is what you are saying: "Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?" ' 11 Say to them, `As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?' 12 "Therefore, son of man, say to your countrymen, `The righteousness of the righteous man will not save him when he disobeys, and the wickedness of the wicked man will not cause him to fall when he turns from it. The righteous man, if he sins, will not be allowed to live because of his former righteousness.' 13 If I tell the righteous man that he will surely live, but then he trusts in his righteousness and does evil, none of the righteous things he has done will be remembered; he will die for the evil he has done.

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    14 And if I say to the wicked man, `You will surely die,' but he then turns away from his sin and does what is just and right-- 15 if he gives back what he took in pledge for a loan, returns what he has stolen, follows the decrees that give life, and does no evil, he will surely live; he will not die. 16 None of the sins he has committed will be remembered against him. He has done what is just and right; he will surely live.    17 "Yet your countrymen say, `The way of the Lord is not just.' But it is their way that is not just. 18 If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, he will die for it. 19 And if a wicked man turns away from his wickedness and does what is just and right, he will live by doing so. 20 Yet, O house of Israel, you say, `The way of the Lord is not just.' But I will judge each of you according to his own ways."

 

ANTHEM  (10:45 am service)             “Our God Is Lifted Up”                Sunday School Children

 

THE EPISTLE READING:  1 Corinthians 10:1-13   (Paul shares a warning and a promise that we will not be tempted beyond what we can bear.)

 

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.

    6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did--and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test the Lord, as some of them did--and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did--and were killed by the destroying angel.

    11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

 

THE LENTEN VERSE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE HOLY GOSPEL IS ANNOUNCED: 

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

 

 

 

 

THE GOSPEL:  Luke 13:1-9  (Jesus calls us to repentance, warning that a lack of repentance leads to tragic results.)

 

1 Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4 Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

    6 Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, `For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

    8 " `Sir,' the man replied, `leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

 

 

 

THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

 

THE HYMN OF THE DAY:            “Come to Calvary’s Holy Mountain”                Hymn #435

 

THE MESSAGE              “Be Careful That You Don’t Fall”         based on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

 

THE NICENE CREED:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

 

 

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And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.  He suffered and was buried.  And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.

 

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.  And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

 

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

 

THE GATHERING OF THE TITHES AND OFFERINGS

 

++  For Personal Reflection  ++

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.  But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.  Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  (Galatians 6:1-3)

 

VOLUNTARY (10:45 am service)  “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence”    Praises Ring Handbells

 

OFFERTORY:                          “Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful”                             Hymn #955

 

THE ORDER OF HOLY COMMUNION

 

THE PREFACE

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

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.  You bid Your people cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast.  Renew our zeal in faith and life, and bring us to the fullness of grace that belongs to the children of God.  Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:

 

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THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our 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 WORDS OF INSTITUTION

 

THE SHARING OF THE PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And also with you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE DISTRIBUTION    (The center cup in each tray is white grape juice for

                                         those allergic to alcohol or pregnant moms.)

 

THE DISTRIBUTION HYMNS: “What Wondrous Love Is This?” (10:45 am)              Handbells

“How Can I Thank You, Lord”                               Hymn #703

                                                   “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me”                    Hymn #722

                                                   “I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table”                         Hymn #618

 

THE POST-COMMUNION CANTICLE          “Thank the Lord”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE BENEDICTION

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

Amen.

 

THE CLOSING HYMN:           “The God of Abraham Praise”                  Hymn #798, st. 8, 9

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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.

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Midweek Lenten Service – Our service this Wednesday at 7:00 pm has the theme: “How Do You Know Who I Am?”  We will reflect on Jesus’ words to His mother Mary from the cross, “Woman, here is your son,” and to John, “Here is your mother.”  Do you bristle when people make claims on your life?  Claims on your life can help you answer the question, “Who am I?”  Come and be part of our Lenten journey!  And don’t forget our meal together, served at 6:00 pm in the Michael Fellowship Hall.  This week’s menu is sloppy joes, cornbread, tossed salad and dessert.  Fill out the menu insert and drop it in the offering plate to reserve your seat!

 

Our Thanks to J. P. Davis, Eileen Mittuch’s grandson, for playing the violin to accompany the Praises Ring Handbell choir piece,  “What Wondrous Love Is This?” during Communion at the 10:45 am worship service.

 

This week’s Altar Flowers are provided by Dorothy & Paul Brown in memory of Mike Ernest and by Sallie Brinkley, in memory of John Brinkley.

 

Helping Hands Christmas Dinner Meeting:  There will be a “lessons learned” meeting today (Sunday) at 12:15 pm in the sanctuary about this past year’s Helping Hands Christmas Dinner.  If you have input about it, please show up for this short meeting.  Vicar Mark will take notes and pass them on to next year’s vicar.

 

Mount Calvary has received a gift in memory of Emma Zimmerman (Lena Grube’s sister) from Toby & Lorraine Jenson.

 

The Daytime Callers - Come join us in sharing Christ’s love and concern with shut-ins and others who need to know that someone at Mt. Calvary cares for them. Meet me in the church library on Monday, March 8th at 11:00 am.  – Jerry Bisping

 

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of Dottie Skogen from Dwight & Marlene Miller, Bill & Jackie Bohm, Riley & Mary Hood, Jim & Barb Morey, Bruce & Barbara Bauman, Bob & Nancy Gerstenberger, Barbara & Carl Mabee, Erv & Kathy Robinson, Toby & Lorraine Jenson, Ralph Wenrick, Ken & Caroline Martin, Steve & Jan Kirchoff, Leo & JoAnn Ladzinske, Dave & Lois Harter, Ray & Doris Snow, Jimmy & Ginger Martin, Van & Joan Bareither, Carl & Charleen Beahm,

Vivian Stilley, Jim & Ruth Aden, Rosie Cowan and Frazier Moore & Sylvia Smith.

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Former Members of Faith Lutheran in Warner Robins – We have received word that Mae Gillespie, wife of former pastor, Dennis Gillespie, died this past Thursday from complications following a recent stroke.  At the time this bulletin was going to print, we didn’t have Pastor Gillespie’s contact information, but expect to very soon.  If you’d like to express your sympathy to Pastor Gillespie, you may see or call Jack in the office for contact information.

 

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of John Steese from Dwight & Marlene Miller, Bill & Jackie Bohm, Riley & Mary Hood, Jim & Barbara Morey, Bruce & Barbara Bauman, Bob & Nancy Gerstenberger, Don & Monelle Netzinger, Barbara & Carl Mabee, Jackie & Stephen Kaestner,

Roger & Candi Shaw, Erv & Kathy Robinson, Toby & Lorraine Jenson, Ralph Wenrick, Ken & Caroline Martin, Sue Glaser, Van & Joan Bareither, Vivian Stilley, Jim & Ruth Aden, Gary & Cynthia Schafer, Rosie Cowan, Steve & Jan Kirchoff, Rick & Connie Kinsey, Bill & Carol Quednow and Jarried & Kim Crook.

 

Mount Calvary has received gifts in memory of Ron Combs from Bill & Jackie Bohm, Bruce & Barbara Bauman, Erv & Kathy Robinson, Carolyn Burnam, Dave & Lois Harter, Rosie Cowan and

Jim & Donna Roberts.

 

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ – How can I ever tell you how much it has meant to me to be surrounded with your love!  I can truly FEEL the prayers!  What a privilege it is to be part of this family of God!  May He bless each of you!  Thank you for just being you!!

Love in Christ, Carol Combs

 

LIFE QUOTE – “I think it is vital that society understands and appreciates the sanctity of every human life whether it is a developing child in the womb or somebody approaching the end of their life.  When I graduate and become a doctor I am hoping to be able to use my skills to help save lives.  I think abortion is never the answer and hope that one day, as a doctor, I will be able to help women to make the right decision.” Siobhan Fearon, 19, of Hull York Medical School  (This “Life Quote” is from Lutherans For Life – www.lutheransforlife.org)

 

Thanks to my dear Christian friends for the outpouring of love on me and my family this past week, following the death of our dear John.   -  Joan Steese

 

Don’t forget “The Fish”, our own Mount Calvary free classified ad page.  Check out the current issue on the bulletin boards to see what’s for sale and what services our members can help you with.  If you have items you’d like to sell or have publicized, contact Ruthie Radcliff at 922-7215 or e-mail her at ruthie@watsononline.net.

 

How do you pronounce that?  For our lay readers or anyone else who’d like to be sure about the proper pronunciation of words found in the Bible, we’ve found a wonderful web site.  Just go to “http://netministries.org/bbasics/bbwords.htm” and click on the first letter of the word.  This will bring up words that start with that letter.  You can then click on the word and hear it pronounced.

 

 

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The family of John Steese, who died February 26th.

Don Netzinger, who is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

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.

Anita McIntyre, who is recovering from foot surgery.

Sue Kesler, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.

Carol Combs, who is waiting word on possible surgery.

 

Keep in your prayers: Nell Tallent, Steve Hunter (John’s father), 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, Sherry Griffith (friend of John & Karen Harmon), Wilma Fishbeck, Naomi Clark (friend of Pat Hickman), Betty Kroeger (Nancy Hoar’s mother), Jean Dimeler, Paul Rider, Michelle Brighton, Annamarie vonDebschitz, Charleen Beahm, Robbie Hooley, 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERVING US TODAY

PREACHER:  Pastor David Brighton.  LITURGIST:  Vicar Mark Adrian.     ELDERS:  John Hunter (Sat 7 pm), Roger Foss (8 am), Brian Harper (10:45 am).  ORGANISTS: Joseph O’Berry (Sat) & Debi Cole (Sun).  HANDBELL CHOIR DIRECTOR: Laura Harper.  USHERS:  Early – Jack Morse, David Rossman, Roger Shaw, Bob Yeager and Richard Uitto.  Late – Mike Hopf, Bill Zeuner, Bruce Bauman, Dave Harter and Michael Mailes.    ACOLYTES:  Hayley Webb (Wed 7 pm), Ally Spees (Sat 7 pm), Erica Jenkins (8 am) & Brandon Gragg (10:45 am).  ALTAR GUILD: Sherry Parsons, Sallie Brinkley, Pat Stetzler & Barbara Locke. LAY READERS: D. J. Nelson (Wed 7 pm), John Hunter (Sat 7 pm), Bob Yeager (8 am) & Barbara Mabee (10:45 am).

 

SERVING US NEXT WEEK

ELDERS:  Steve Kirchoff (Wed 7 pm), Doug Gahring (8 am), Dave Harter (10:45 am) and Chris Dimes (11 am).  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:  Jo Ann Smith (Wed 7 pm), Pruett Burge (Sat 7 pm), Karen Johnson (8 am), Victoria Shirley (10:45 am) & David Miller (11 am). 

 

Next Week’s Readings

Isaiah 12:1-6 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

 

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK

Midweek Lenten Service - 105

Saturday – 40   Early – 101   Late – 194    Contemporary – 65   Total - 400

 

THIS WEEK AT MOUNT CALVARY

                                    Today             12 – 3 pm       8th Grade Confirmation Workshop

                                                          12 – 3 pm       Art By U (K – 5th Grade)

                                                          12:15 pm        Helping Hands Meeting (Sanctuary)

                                                            6:30 pm        TAG Night

                                    Monday           11:00 am        Daytime Callers

  6:20 pm        Evangelism Callers

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

                                                            7:00 pm        Council

                                    Wednesday     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

                                    Friday             Middle School Retreat thru Sunday

                                Next Sunday   6:30 pm SLDT