THE TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST                                     JULY 31/AUGUST 1, 2010

 

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

 

Meaning vs. Meaninglessness

“Meaningless!  Utterly meaningless!!” says Solomon over and over again as he writes the book of Ecclesiastes.  God’s good gifts of wisdom, work and pleasure all become meaningless when we leave God out of the picture.  The forceful focus of our worship service today is that the material things treasured by so many people have no lasting value.  Jesus reinforces this theme with His parable about the rich fool.  As new people in Christ Jesus, Paul says we are to put to death what is earthly and instead set our minds on things that are above.  Let us all focus our minds and hearts on Jesus in this hour of worship – and all through the coming week!

 

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.

 

(An asterisk (*) before the hymn number indicates it is one of Mt. Calvary’s favorites!)

 

PRELUDE

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GREETING

 

OPENING HYMN:                            “How Great Thou Art”                                *Hymn #801

 

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

Let us pray:  Father of mercies and God of all consolation, come to the aid of Your people, turning us from our sin to live for You alone.  Give us the power of Your Holy Spirit that we may attend to Your Word, confess our sins, receive Your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Redeemer.

Amen.

 

(Please kneel.  During a time of silence, you may confess specific sins of which you are aware.)

 

 

 

-1-

Let us confess our sins to God our merciful Father:

Gracious God, Your gifts to us have been so abundant that we have often let those gifts take Your place in our hearts.  We have worshiped things instead of You.  We have put our trust in Your gifts rather than in You, the Giver.  We have laid up for ourselves treasures on earth, and ignored the real treasure of Your love and grace.  For all our sins of selfishness, misplaced trust, thanklessness, and many offenses against You, we are truly sorry. We ask for Your forgiveness for Jesus’ sake.  Amen.

Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Set your minds, therefore, on the things that are above!

Amen.

 

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

 

THE PRAYER OF THE DAY

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray:  Almighty God, judge of us all, You have placed in our hands the wealth we call our own.  Give us such wisdom by Your Spirit that our possessions may not be a curse in our lives, but an instrument for blessing; 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:  Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-26  (Solomon ponders the foolishness of trying to accumulate goods which do not have eternal value.)

 

  2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher.

    "Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless."

    12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.

    24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

-2-

 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

 

THE EPISTLE READING:  Colossians 3:1-11   (Paul urges us to set aside those things in us that are earthly, so that we can set our minds on the things that are above.)

 

    1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

    5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

 

THE ALLELUIA VERSE:

                

            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HOLY GOSPEL IS ANNOUNCED: 

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

 

 

 

 

THE GOSPEL:  Luke 12:13-21  (Jesus warns against laying up earthly treasures for ourselves by telling the parable of the rich fool.)

 

    13 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."   14 Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" 15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

    16 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, `What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'

-3-

    18 "Then he said, `This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

    20 "But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'

    21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

 

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

 

 

 

 

THE CHILDREN’S MESSAGE                                                                   Pastor David Brighton

 

THE HYMN OF THE DAY:            “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”              *Hymn #575

 

THE MESSAGE           “Chasing After the Wind”        based on Ecclesiastes 1:2, 14-14, 2:18-26

 

THE NICENE CREED:

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

 

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

 

-4-

++  For Personal Reflection  ++

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 

(1 Timothy 6:6-8)

 

OFFERTORY:                              “Praise and Thanksgiving”                                (Hymn #789)

 

Praise and thanksgiving, Father, we offer,

For all things living, created good:

Harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard,

Hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.

 

Father, providing food for Your children,

By Your wise guiding teach us to share

One with another, so that, rejoicing

With us, all others may know Your care.

 

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.

Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth.  In mercy for our fallen world You gave Your only Son, that all those who believe in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  We give thanks to You for the salvation You have prepared for us through Jesus Christ.  Send now Your Holy Spirit into our hearts, that we may receive our Lord with a living faith as He comes to us in His Holy Supper.

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus!

 

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.

 

-5-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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

                                         those allergic to alcohol or pregnant moms.)

 

THE DISTRIBUTION HYMNS:         “I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table”                *Hymn #618

                                                          “O Savior, Precious Savior”                        *Hymn #527

“Son of God, Eternal Savior”                         Hymn #842

 

THE POST-COMMUNION PRAYER

Gracious God, our heavenly Father, You have given us a foretaste of the feast to come in the Holy Supper of Your Son’s body and blood.  Keep us firm in the true faith throughout our days of pilgrimage that, on the day of His coming, we may, together with all Your saints, celebrate the marriage feast of the lamb in His kingdom which has no end; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

 

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:       “Savior,  Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise”        *Hymn #917

 

A MOMENT FOR SILENT PRAYER

 

-6-

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

 

Dedication Sunday is next Sunday, August 8th at 9:30 am.  We will gather by the main entrance and proceed to dedicate our new library, nursery and classrooms to God’s glory!  There will be plenty of refreshments and fellowship, so don’t miss it!

 

Rally Day!  We will also celebrate Rally Day next Sunday.  Right after the dedication ceremony, everyone is invited to the Education Wing for an Open House to see the classrooms and how our children’s ministry is set up.  All parents and children from 5th grade on down should plan to attend, and if you haven’t been down to the Education Wing in a while, this will be a treat!

 

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – On Monday, August 9th we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony with participation by the Chamber of Commerce at 4:00 pm.  It would be great to have lots of our members present for this event!

 

This week’s Altar Flowers are provided by Laura Haas in loving memory of Glenn Haas and by Barbara & Jim Morey praising God for the recent birth of two grandsons – Lucas Hilton Morey and Cole Michael Rogers.

 

School Share Volunteers! Social Ministry Board will assemble SCHOOL SHARE packets Tuesday evening beginning 6 p.m. until we get it done. Come when you can that evening to the fellowship hall and help pack. We also thank everyone who freely gave cash and kind donations, well over 160 packs of goodies. Please set additional donations in the plastic box under the narthex display table. Booth set up and handout volunteers, please PRINT your contact phone numbers and names on the sign up sheets at the table. – Cindy Hinkle

 

Church Wide Ice Cream Social—August 15 - You are invited to an old-fashioned Ice Cream Social after the late services on August 15th.   Please join us on the Annex lawn at 12:30 for a hot dog lunch, and then create an amazing ice cream Sundae with toppings galore.  Also, since many of our ChristCare leaders and group members will be present, it would be the perfect time to see where you can plug into this exciting ministry.   Bring your towel and/or lawn chair and join us for fun, fellowship and an edible masterpiece.   Rain location—Fellowship Hall.  Questions?  Please see one of the ChristCare Equippers - Andy Adsit, Dale and Jeannie Hawkins or Eric and Tammy Jenkins.  We’ll see you there!

 

The Ladies Guild will start meeting again tomorrow,  August 2nd in the Michael Fellowship Hall at 10:00 am.  Hope to see everyone there -  bring new ideas.

-7-

DON’T FOR GET THAT BOARDS MEET AT 6:30 PM THIS COMING TUESDAY!!

 

Updated Church Directory in PDF Format – Because of the multitude of changes to our membership, both new members and a recent dropping of members who have moved on, I have made a new PDF copy of the Church Directory.  If you’d like to have this, just send me an e-mail (mt-cal@watsononline.net) and I’ll attach a copy and send it to you. If it sounds interesting but you don’t know what PDF format it, just call for an explanation of the process (or ask a computer-literate friend) – Jack (Your Friendly Church Secretary)

 

The price of Altar Flowers has gone up.  We now have to pay more to our florist, so we need to raise the price we ask you to pay when you sign up to buy a bouquet for the altar.  The new price is $25.00.  The flowers on the altar are there for the glory of God and to beautify the church.  They represent sacrifice and therefore must be live flowers.  It is a privilege to be able to glorify God, remember loved ones and honor birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  There is NO money in the budget for these flowers.  If one of the lines on the flower chart is not filled in, it adds $25.00 to our deficit.  It is important to put your money in the “Flower Fund” envelope or put “Altar Flowers” on the memo line on your check or on the “Other” line on your church envelope. This is to let the tellers know the money is to pay for altar flowers.

 

Like to Play Volleyball?  We’re trying to find out if we have enough people who want to play so we can field a team.  There will be an “Interest Meeting” in the sanctuary classroom at 9:30 am on Sunday, August 8th.  Just show up, or, if you have questions, contact Tian Foss at 953-1178.

 

Life Quote – “The Good News of a crucified and living Savior does not trivialize human struggles—the struggles of women, of problem pregnancies, of difficult situations.  It speaks to them!  The Good News defeated death and brings real love and compassion and neighborliness to bear in dealing with human struggles in very personal and practical ways.  Life, not death, is our source of help and hope.”  Rev. Dr. James I. Lamb, executive director of Lutherans for Life.  (This “Life Quote” is from Lutherans For Life – www.lutheransforlife.org)

 

Back to School Supplies – Our congregation is going to give out school supplies to needy children at the Houston Healthcare Family Fair on Saturday, August 7th, from 10 am – 2 pm at the Galleria Mall.  We need lots of school supplies donated.  Call Cindy Hinkle (333-6751) for more information.

 

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"  Come and join Christ Lutheran Church at Luther Williams Field in Macon on Friday, August 6th, for a Pinetoppers game.  The best part is, Christ Lutheran will be singing the National Anthem!!!!  The Pinetoppers will be playing the Robins Aviators and the game begins at 7:00 p.m.  General Admission tickets are $5.00.  Let's make it a big "church night" at the ballgame!

 

 

 

 

-8-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen Johnson, who is recovering from shoulder surgery.

Jerry Eschke, Margaret McLaughlin’s son, who will be undergoing an angiogram on August 4th.

Erika Swaim (Marcia Brighton’s mom), who is receiving continued treatment for an infection in her intestine and recovery following knee surgery.

Anita McIntyre, who is recovering from surgery on her Achilles tendon.

Kim Gourley, who will be having surgery on her neck soon.

Linna Nielsen, who has a lung infection.

Andrew Dierking, who is recovering at home from a broken leg and lung problems.

 

Keep in your prayers: Bobby Wolfe, Jo Ann Smith, Charles Hickman (Allen’s father), Carol Combs, Marie Hufstepler (friend of the Beahms) Bill Wallace (brother of Karen Harmon & Susan Wallace), Marie Gregersen (Karen Harmon’s friend), Scott McIntyre, Donna Boyt and her young children Rachel and Jonathan (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), Kim Gourley, Gordon Nelson (DJ’s father), Carol Quednow, Wilma Fishbeck, Naomi Clark (friend of Pat Hickman), Betty Kroeger (Nancy Hoar’s mother), Jean Dimeler, Paul Rider, Michelle Brighton, Annamarie vonDebschitz, 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 Leslie Lorenz (friend of Riley & Mary Hood), Edna Tucker (Yvonne Knight’s mom), 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).

 

     Michael Welch, Jonathan Fetchik, Mike Waters, Christian Corbitt, Drew Daniel, Durand Tanner, Ryan Walker, Ryan Jacobs, Lee Brinson, David Fitzgerald, Mark Dawson, Michael Brummage, Gil Holcomb, Brandis Holcomb & John McIlvoy for safety and good health as they serve our country in dangerous areas.

 

 

 

 

 

-9-

SERVING US TODAY

PREACHER:  Pastor David Brighton.  LITURGIST:  Vicar Nathan Misch.  ELDERS:  John Hunter (Sat 7 pm).  ORGANISTS:  Joseph O’Berry (Sat) & Debi Cole (Sun). ACOLYTES:  Maya Kesler (Sat 7 pm), Ian LeBorious (8 am) & Tyler Julson (10:45 am).  USHERS:  Early – Jack Morse, David Rossman, Roger Shaw, Bob Yeager, Richard Uitto & Brent Durbin.  Late – Mike Hopf, Bill Zeuner, Bruce Bauman, Dave Harter, Michael Mailes & Frank Burkhardt.  ALTAR GUILD: Sherry Parsons, Sally Brinkley, Pat Stetzler and Barbara Locke.   LAY READERS:  Barbara Pirkle (7 pm), Sharon Dawson (8 am) & Christi Haas (10:45 am).

 

SERVING US NEXT WEEK

ACOLYTES:  Cameron Mastenbrook (Sat 7 pm), William Fishbeck (8 am) & Daniel O’Brien (10:45 am).  ALTAR GUILD: Rosie Cowan, Marjorie Hogan, Wilma Fishbeck & Carolyn Burnam.  GREETERS:  Barbara Locke (8 am) & Gary & Beverly Webb (10:45 am).  LAY READERS: Pruett Burge (7 pm), Linda Shaw (8 am), D. J. Nelson (10:45 am) & Dave Radcliff (11 am).

 

Next Week’s Readings

Genesis 15:1-6 and Hebrews 11:1-16

 

ATTENDANCE LAST WEEK

Saturday – 44   Early – 78   Late – 142   Contemporary – 39   Total - 303

 

THIS WEEK AT MOUNT CALVARY

                                    Today              6:30 pm        TAG Night

Monday           10:00 am        Ladies Guild

                        4:00 pm        Red Cross in Annex

  6:20 pm        Evangelism Callers

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

                                                            6:30 pm        Boards

                                                            7:30 pm        Elders

                                    Wednesday       9:30 am        Morning Glories

12:15 pm         Prayer Group

                                    Thursday         10:00 am        Ladies Bible Study

Friday               6 – 10 pm     Middle School Party

                             Next Sunday         Rally Day Open House

                                                            9:30 am        “Catch the Vision” Dedication

                                                            6:30 pm        Youth & Parents Planning Meeting