Welcome to Worship!
Bethlehem Lutheran Church (LCMS),
607 N. Maguire, Warrensburg, Missouri
Rev. Joel R. Kurz, Pastor
Sunday Bulletin
Saturday Worship: 5:30 p.m. Bible Study: 6:45 p.m.
Christian Education: 9:15 a.m. Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Pastor’s Cell Phone: 660 441-5710
Office: 660 747-6742
www.blchurch.com
November 1st, 2015
As We Gather
Today is the Feast of All Saints. This is an occasion to remember with thanksgiving to
God all people redeemed by Jesus throughout the ages, and especially our own loved
ones who have died in the Lord. The love of God is astonishing. The Lord takes
pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. God even calls us His own
dear children! He calls us from every nation, tribe, people-group, and language. He
calls us—poor sinners—the poor in spirit who hunger for righteousness. We, though
burdened by our sins, trust in Jesus, our Savior, who has given all for us to live in
communion with God. Today is a day of rejoicing not that we or our departed loved
ones have been such great saints, but that our Savior has graciously numbered us
along with all His saints as His own beloved people. For all this we sing to the Lord a
new song of thanksgiving and praise!
Regarding Holy Communion: When we gather at the Lord’s Table, the cup of blessing
we receive is a sharing in the blood of Christ; the bread we break is a sharing in the body
of Christ. We who are many are one bread and body in Christ (I Cor. 10:16-17). As a
people baptized into the life of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to us in
this holy meal to renew us individually and together in our life of faith and following him.
If you desire to share this joyous sacrament with us but aren’t a Lutheran and haven’t done so
here before, please speak with the pastor prior to receiving the first time since this is a holy
meal of Christ’s presence. If you wish to receive a blessing of Christ’s peace for your life, please
cross your arms over your chest as you come forward. If communing but certain factors prohibit
you from partaking of regular wine, non-alcoholic wine is in the center circle of each tray.
Pre-Service Music
(Please use this time for prayerful listening and preparation. Prayers can be found on the
inside cover of the hymnal and on pages 305-318. If you have a prayer request or
concern, fill out a prayer request—on the back of the pew in front of you—and an usher
will pick it up.)
Visitors: We are glad you have chosen to be with us today! We would especially like to
follow-up with you beyond today, so please take a moment to leave your best contact
information in the guest books at each entrance/exit or in the record of fellowship books
passed down each pew during the service. Many thanks
Announcements
Prelude
(All will be asked to rise and turn to face the processional cross).
The Invocation
The sign of the cross T may be made by all in remembrance of their
resurrection with Christ in Baptism.
Processional Hymn ...............................................“For All the Saints” #677
(v. 1—all, v. 2—men, v. 3—women, vs. 4&5—all, v. 6—choir, vs. 7&8—all)
Confession and Absolution
The sign of the cross † may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
Preparation ............................................................................................ page 167
Sharing of the Peace (We greet one another in Christ)
Service of the Word
Introit (spoken responsively)
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame;
in your righteousness deliver me.
For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me.
Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and will be forever. Amen.
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Kyrie ............................................................................................... pages 168-169
Hymn of Praise ............... “Heavenly Hosts in Ceaseless Worship” #949
Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And also with you.
P Let us pray (in unison)
C Almighty and everlasting God, You knit together Your faithful people of all
times and places into one holy communion, the mystical body of Your Son,
Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your blessed saints in all virtuous and
godly living that, together with them, we may come to the unspeakable joys
You have prepared for those who love You; through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Sit
First Reading ......................................................................Revelation 7:9-17
John sees and hears the great multitude and finds out who they are.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from
every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne
and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and
crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around
the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne
and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving
and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white
robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to
me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
.P
Gradual (spoken in unison)
These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation.
They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Blessèd are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Epistle Reading............................................................................. 1 John 3:1-3
John calls the faithful to see the love of the Father to his children.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children
of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not
know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet
appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall
see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
P This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Choir Anthem ......... “Let Saints on Earth” (in place of Alleluia & Verse)
Holy Gospel............................................................................ Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus speaks the blessed but often unseen reality of life for his followers
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fifth chapter.
C Glory to You, O Lord.
Seeing the crowds, [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his
disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be
satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in
heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to You, O Christ.
.P
Sit
Hymn of the Day ............................... “Jesus Sat with His Disciples” #932
Sermon .......................................................................... “Set Apart & Satisfied”
Stand
Apostles’ Creed .................................................................................... page 175
Prayer of the Church
(Towards the end of the prayer, a candle will be lit on hearing the name of each
parishioner deceased from our congregation this year—James Gertz, Betty Harms, Elva
Iseminger, & Alice Wutke—as well as one for those we name silently. Silence for
reflection will follow each, then on hearing “…we join our prayers and praises,”
........... all say: “Blessing, glory, and honor be to you O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
now and forever—Amen.”
Sit
Offering
(Please take a moment to fill out and pass down the Record of Fellowship handed out by
the ushers during this time, and reflect on all the ways we can offer ourselves.)
Stand
Offertory ................................................................................................. page 176
Service of the Sacrament
Communion Liturgy ................................................................ pages 177-181
(All are seated during the distribution of Communion, except for when the time comes to
go to the altar rail.)
Communion Hymns ........................“Wide Open Stand the Gates” #639
“Behold a Host, Arrayed in White” #676
“Sing with All the Saints in Glory” #671
Stand
Post Communion Canticle ............................“Thank the Lord” page 181
Post-Communion Collect ................................................................ page 183
Benediction ........................................................................................... page 183
Parting Hymn .............................................. “Alleluia! Jesus is Risen”” #474
Dismissal
Acknowledgements: Divine Service, Setting Two from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Reprinted with permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Next week’s readings: 1 Kings 17:8-16, Heb. 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44
Attendance Last Saturday: 41
Total Offering: $3,481.95
Home Use: $3,439.95
Attendance Last Sunday: 136
SOSF: $0.00
Benevolences: $42.00
Missions: $0.00
Serving us this morning:
Organist ........................................................................................................................................... Sheri Mattson
Elders ............................................................................................ James Schumaker and Jeremy VanWey
Offerings......................................................................................................................................... Lorraine Miller
Altar Committee .............................................. Teresa Hillsman (chair), SueAnn Carter, Lisa Gulick,
Lynn Johansen, Beryl Lindley, Sheree Moody, Judy Pierce
Flower Committee ....................................................................... Eunice Cobb (chair) and Bonnie Rich
This Week’s Schedule:
Today
Monday
9:00 a.m.
9:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
6:00 p.m.
Radio Broadcast 98.5 FM
(Sermons can also be found at www.blchurch.com)
Christian Education
Holy Communion
Junior Catechesis
Strength Training
Bittersweet Place
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
12:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
9:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Braille Workers in Concordia
Strength Training
Bible Study
Psalter at the Altar
Adult Choir
Morning Prayer
Women’s Study Group—“One Thousand Gifts”
Pinochle Group
Strength Training
Worship
Bible Study
Congratulations to Andrea and Mike Reinhardt on the birth of their son Michael
Anthony Reinhardt III—five weeks early. Thanksgiving for safety to mother and child!
Many thanks from Pr. Joel for last Sunday’s fellowship coffee appreciation, as well as
all of the individual cards and tangible expressions of gratitude! You are appreciated
too!
Annual Congregational Meeting
Mark your calendars! The annual meeting will take place November 8th at 1 p.m. in the
Fellowship Hall. There are many topics to discuss and approve that deal directly with
the spiritual and financial future of our church home. Your input is needed and your vote
is valued. And just a reminder, a potluck dinner will happen before (following the
service).
Prayers
In Our Prayers—We remember those who are sick, homebound, in nursing homes,
going through treatments, and recovering from hospitalization or surgery: Mike Carter,
Cindy Clendenin, Sharon Hochsprung, Eunice Jenkins, Shannon Knight, Alice Lane,
Jacob Larsen, Aileen Luehrman, George Mitchell, Joan Nichol, Aaron Pederson, Cathy
Potter, Doug & Sharon Reith, Aline Snodgrass, Jason Taylor, and Jane Thurman, as well
Pr. Jacob Mueller (Holy Cross—Emma). We also pray for Nicole Clemons and her family
as they await the birth of their new daughter.
Prayers for Our Military—We also pray for our service and support personnel who are
far from home and for their families: Andy Burden, Bethany Keirans, Scott Lockard, David
Meir, Ray & Heather Northcutt, and Branden Waner.
Christian Education
Saturday Bible Study—Join us from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room
following the evening service for a DVD-based study called “Reformation Roots” which
will span the next couple of months; perfect for Reformation Day!
Sunday Bible Study— A study based on Thom S. Rainer’s book, I Am a Church
Member (Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference), is being led by Elder
Jeremy Van Wey and will run through November 22. Please join us in the Conference
Room at 9:15 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study—Join us at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room as we begin
the DVD-based study on the Apostles’ Creed and its relevance to our daily life which
was held on Sundays this summer. This is a series of 17 weekly sessions. Please come!
Psalter at the Altar—All are welcome to gather by the altar (from 12:15 to 12:30) as
we discuss and pray one new psalm a week. This week we’ll be exploring Psalm 101.
Thursday Bible Study—Our 2nd and 4th Thursday group is continuing a series called
Incredible Heroes of the Faith. Join us in the conference room at 6:30 p.m. as we look
at Esther and prepare for another series.
A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are! Women of the congregation have the
opportunity to explore the five week DVD-based discussion based on Ann Voskamp’s
wise book on thankfulness called One Thousand Gifts. It will be led by Bambi Burden,
our new church librarian, on Thursday mornings from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. and run
November 5 to December 10—excluding Thanksgiving Day. This will be a great way to
prepare for Advent and Christmas and see “gifts” in a whole new way.
Calling All Men! Whether or not you’ve attended the Men’s Club before, you’re invited
(and encouraged) to attend the next two breakfast get-togethers (3rd Saturdays of
November & December at 8:30 a.m.) for a new two-part DVD series called The
Journey: From Unbelief to Faith (from Lutheran Hour Ministry’s Men’s Network). Save
the dates!
Ways to Serve & Support
Leadership Positions—There are still several opportunities to serve in 2016 as elected
officers to the Church Council. Please consider and contact James Schumaker (660)
864-9698, as well as attending the Annual Meeting!
Hosts needed for OAFC ambassadors (November 13&14)—Bethlehem will be
hosting a group of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ (an LCMS youth evangelism
group) here that weekend to help us with a neighborhood canvass. We’ll likely have a
dozen who’ll need somewhere to stay for two nights. Let Barbara Compton or Pr. Joel
know if you’re interested and able. Also, consider attending special sessions with them
that Friday night and Saturday morning. Bethlehem youth and adults are welcomed (and
encouraged) to attend and participate! They’ll also be sharing in our services.
Operation Christmas Child—For the past 12 years Bethlehem has been involved in
collecting items/filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We will be collecting
filled shoeboxes and items to fill boxes from now until November 22nd. For more
information see the display in the north lobby.
Blanket the County with Love—A box has been placed in the hallway outside the
Fellowship Hall for donations of new and clean gently used blankets. These blankets
are used in Johnson County for fire victims. We will collect 1 – 29 November.
The Christmas Store—It is the time of year when the entire community bands
together to collect meals, and items for meals, for those in need. If you would like to
donate an entire meal, you can pick up a menu in the hallway outside the Fellowship
Hall. Items that can be donated are: sweet potatoes (15oz can); instant potatoes (7oz
box); green beans, corn, peas, carrots (15oz can); fruit (15oz can), cranberry sauce (14oz
can), bread, roll or cornbread mix (16oz package), stuffing mix (6oz package), cake mix
and frosting; Jell-o (3oz package); gravy mix (envelope); cocoa mix (10 envelope box);
or a monetary donation (make checks payable to the Christmas Store). We will be
collecting items until December 10th. If you would like to volunteer your time, contact
Darlene Laubenstein.
Adult Choir—BLC Choir is in full swing! We meet Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. in
the Conference Room. New singers are welcome, especially tenors! No experience
necessary. Please contact Cathy Welsh in person or via cwelsh@ucmo.edu with any
questions.
Altar Flowers—The Mary-Martha Guild invites you to donate flowers to honor a
birthday, anniversary or other occasion, or honor the memory of a loved one who has
passed away. To reserve a date to donate flowers, please contact Eunice Cobb or
Bonnie Rich.
Fellowship
Mary-Martha Guild will meet Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall in the
basement. We will have a Bible study on the topic "Sisters of the Heart." We hope to
see you there!
Thrivent Bake Sale—We will sponsor our bake sale again with the Chili/Soup day on
November 14. The proceeds from the sale will go toward helping to fund the muchneeded replacement of some of the AV equipment at church. Thrivent members and all
church members are invited to participate by bringing a food item and then by
purchasing a delicious treat! See you there!
The Men's Club Fall Club Soup and Chili Day will be on November 14 starting at
11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Note the serving hours are shorter this year. Sign-up
sheets will be on the bulletin board for contributions of meat, desserts, and other
items. Men, please contact Alan Miller or Ron Rode if you plan to assist with this event.
Exercise Class—Bethlehem offers a free exercise class at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays! This class is open to anyone who wants to increase their
strength, and improve/maintain their balance and flexibility. The exercise class will not
meet this coming week due to the Fall Basement Sale and space requirements.
Pinochle—Bethlehem has a group of people that get together in the fellowship hall to
play pinochle on Thursday afternoons from 2 – 4 p.m. If you like to play or want to
join, just show up on Thursday. For more info contact Melvin Theroff at 573-619-5554.
Administrivia
Office Hours: 7:30 – 4:30 Monday – Friday (747-6742)
Bulletin Article Submission Deadline: Wednesday noon weekly
Tidings Article Submission Deadline: 21st of each month
Website articles/notices can be submitted to the office via secretary@blchurch.com.
Elders
Alan Miller—Head Elder, Members whose last name falls in the Schm-Z alphabet
Wilfredo Crespo—Members whose last name falls in the P-Schl alphabet
Jack Easterwood—Members whose last name falls in the M-O alphabet
Ken Hoemann—Members whose last name falls in the A-C alphabet
James Schumaker—Members whose last name falls in the D-H alphabet
Jeremy VanWey—Members whose last name falls in the I-L alphabet
Stewardship Emphasis
All Saints' Day—“With angels, archangels, and with all the company of heaven….”
When we gather around the altar of the Lord in His House we pray and praise God with
“all the company of heaven.” Those we have lost in the Lord are not truly lost to us –
they have simply entered their rest with the Lord. As we gather to worship our Lord, we
gather along with them. On the Last Day everything that God has given into the care of
our stewardship will fade away – everything except our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Caring for one another in love and grace is our highest calling.
Simply Giving—Churches, because of their heavy weekly check volumes, were among
the earliest organizations to embrace electronic giving as a way to automate
contributions. A less frequently discussed benefit of electronic giving is its positive
impact on the environment. An enormous amount of natural resources are consumed
in the production, transportation, processing and disposal of paper checks. That’s why
paying bills electronically always ranks high on any list of actions an individual can take
to improve the environment. The trend toward electronic gifts has already produced
more than a 50% decline in check use since the year 2000. If you would like to take
advantage of electronic giving: visit the Simply Giving tab on the right side of our
website home page at www.blchurch.com.
All Saints’ Day Customs Around the World
In Mexico, Portugal and Spain, offerings (Portuguese: oferendas, Spanish: ofrendas) are
made on this day. In Spain, the play Don Juan Tenorio is traditionally performed. All
Saints' Day in Mexico, coincides with the first day of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los
Muertos) celebration. Known as "Día de los Inocentes" (Day of the Innocents), it
honours deceased children and infants. Portuguese children celebrate the Pão-porDeus tradition, going door-to-door where they receive cakes, nuts and pomegranates.
This only occurs in central Portugal.
Hallowmas in the Philippines is variously called "Undas" (based on the word for "[the]
first"), "Todós los Santos" (literally "All Saints"), and sometimes "Áraw ng mga Patáy"
(lit. "Day of the Dead"), which refers to the following day of All Souls' Day but includes
it. While traditionally, Filipinos observed this day solemnly by visiting the graves of
deceased relatives, offering prayers and flowers, lighting candles, cleaning and
repairing the graves, this tradition is slowly dying.
Instead it has been replaced by Filipinos spending the day, and often the entire night,
picnicking and holding reunions at the cemetery near their loved ones. Many sing,
bring Karaoke TV sets and musical instruments, and even burst fire crackers. In fact, for
the past few years, the government has banned bringing of liquor, sharp instruments
and guns due to incidents of drunkenness and resulting violence during the festival.
In Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, France, Hungary, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg,
Malta, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, and American cities such as New Orleans,
people take flowers to the graves of dead relatives. In some places in Portugal, people
also light candles in the graves.
In Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Finland, Catholic parts of Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden, the tradition
is to light candles and visit the graves of deceased relatives. In English-speaking
countries, the festival is traditionally celebrated with the hymn "For All the Saints" by
William Walsham How. The most familiar tune for this hymn is Sine Nomine by Ralph
Vaughan Williams. Another hymn that is popularly sung during corporate worship on
this day is "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God".
Article from: www.religionfact.com