Mt. Olive Ev. Lutheran Church

www.mtolive-wels.net

 

1460 Almond Avenue

St. Paul, Minnesota  55108

 

651.645.2575

 

A Praying Church

 

Carl R. Henkel, pastor

651.631.8625

carl.henkel@juno.com

 

 

The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

 

 

September 8, 2007    7:00pm

 

We Gather At Camp Croix

To Worship The Lord

 

 

Invocation

 

Opening Hymn:  Earth And All Stars

 

Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Oh, victory! Loud shouting army!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things.

I, too, will praise him with a new song!

 

Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Daughter and son! Loud praying members!

Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things.

I, too, will praise him with a new song!

 

Children of God, Dying and rising,

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Heaven and earth, Hosts everlasting,

Sing to the Lord a new song!

He has done marvelous things.

I, too, will praise him with a new song!

 

Confession and Absolution

 

ALL:     O God of all blessings, Maker of the Universe, we have not always taken the time to consider our many earthly blessings, much less our heavenly ones. Holy Spirit, work within our hearts to make us truly grateful for all that we have been given in this life; and keep us from the sin of greed that always wants more. Cause us to delight and rejoice in the blessings of this life and count them as enough. We repent for all the times we have neglected to thank You for both temporal and eternal blessings. We pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

 

Pastor:  The Lord God loves to give good gifts to His children. With a word He spoke creation into existence, and with the sacrifice of His Son on the cross He redeemed His people. You are forgiven all your sins. Go with a merry and grateful heart, and witness God’s goodness and His gift of salvation to a lost and broken world. Amen.

 

Hymn of Response:  Let All Things Now Living

 

Let all things now living a song of thanksgiving

To God the Creator triumphantly raise,

Who fashioned and made us,

Protected and stayed us,

Who still guides us on to the end of our days.

God's banners are o'er us;

His light goes before us,

A pillar of fire shining forth in the night,

Till shadows have vanished

And darkness is banished,

As forward we travel from light into light.

 

First Scripture Reading:  Romans 1:18-20

 

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

 

Second Scripture Reading:  1 Corinthians 1:18-25

 

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

 

Confession of Faith

 

Pastor:      In Whom do you believe?

 

People:    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth

Pastor:      Lord God, we exalt You as our Maker, Creator of this whole amazing universe!

 

People:    I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord

Pastor:      Lord Jesus, as Peter declared, so we declare, "You are the Messiah, sent from God!"

 

People:    He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary

Pastor:      Jesus, You are Son of Man and Son of God, fully human and fully Divine.

 

People:    He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

Pastor:      Precious Lord, even as You predicted Your terrible death, so it came to pass. You are the Savior and Redeemer of the world.

 

People:    He descended into hell.

Pastor:      You proclaimed Your victory over sin, death and hell itself.

 

People:    The third day He rose again from the dead! He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

Pastor:      Hallelujah! You are the Resurrection and the Life!

 

People:    He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Pastor:      You are King of kings and Lord of lords.  We await the day of Your coming!

 

People:    I believe in the Holy Spirit,

Pastor:      You are our Comforter, Counselor, our Helper and our Guide.

 

People:    the holy Christian Church,

Pastor:      We are the Church, O Lord, the Bride being made ready for the Bridegroom!

 

People:    the communion of saints,

Pastor:      There are people all over the world who believe in You and who are saved.

 

People:    the forgiveness of sins,

Pastor:      You have fulfilled our greatest need – the total, absolute, complete forgiveness of all our sins.

 

People:    the resurrection of the body,

Pastor:      You are our Redeemer, O Lord. We know that You live and that You will stand upon the earth at the last, and that we too will be resurrected from the dead.

 

People:    and the life everlasting.

Pastor:      Thank you for the cross and the empty tomb, Lord Jesus.  By Your death and resurrection we have eternal life.

 

All:           Amen!  This we believe, and upon this we stand!

 

Hymn:  This Is My Father’s World

 

This is my Father’s world, And to my list’ning ears,

All nature sings and ’round me rings; His grace to me appears.

This is my Father’s world. I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees,

Of skies and seas; His hands these wonders wrought.

 

This is my Father’s world, The birds their carols raise;

The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world. He shines in all that’s fair.

In rustling grass I hear him pass; I see His hand ev’ry where.

 

This is my Father’s world. Oh, let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world. Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring. God reigns; let earth be glad!

 

Scripture for the Message:  Psalm 19

 

1    The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

2    Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3    There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

4    Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun,

5    which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6    It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7    The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8    The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9    The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.

10   They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11   By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12   Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13   Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14   May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

 

Message – “Sky Talk” (Kory Henkel)

 

Prayer

 

Lord's Prayer

 

Benediction

 

Closing Hymn:  Lord Of Lords, The Sparkling Heavens

 

Lord of lords, the sparkling heavens Show the greatness of Your hand,

Brilliant galaxies unfolding, Distant suns Your wisdom planned,

Morning stars in concert singing Praise the one whose pow'r we see:

Lord of might and majesty.

 

Lord of light, Your gift of beauty Fills our planet here below.

Crystal snow and silver moonlight, Forest green with life aglow,

Sapphire ocean, flaming sunset Your creative joy proclaim!

Lord of all, we praise Your name!

 

Lord of love, we bow before You, Humbled by Your constant grace.

Word incarnate, sent from heaven, On the cross You took our place.

By Your death and resurrection We shall live through endless days!

Lord of life, we sing Your praise.

 

Lord of nations, by Your Spirit Cause our fear and greed to cease;

Restless hearts and lives refashion By the entrance of Your peace.

May we now with firm commitment Follow in obedience true:

Lord of lords, we worship You!

 

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September 9, 2007    9:00am

 

 

(All the songs are from “Let All People Praise You”)

Introduction to the worship

Song:                                                                                                                                              165

Prayer

Confession (Pastor and Congregation): Heavenly Father, without Your love in Jesus we would be spiritually dead. Because of our sin and our sins, we would be without hope, deserving only Your wrath. But You have loved us in Jesus who took the punishment we deserved upon Himself, and with His blood washed away all our sins, past, present, and future. Because of Jesus You have declared us innocent and put us into a right relationship with You. In Jesus we thank You.

Song:

                              Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.

                                    Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.

                              Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

                                    Spirit of the Living God, fall fresh on me.

Affirmation (Pastor and Congregation): Our Heavenly Father has adopted us as His own children. Jesus is now our Lord has all authority, so that everything that happens must serve His good purpose, as well as something good for us. The Holy Spirit has made us to be a temple in which He dwells, so we can share the very life and love of God with others. May He be pleased to accept our worship during this hour and our lives during the coming week.

Old Testament Reading:                                                                                                   Psalm 145:8-18

      Song:                                                                                                                                   322 v.1

Epistle Reading:                                                                                                             Romans 8:28-32

      Song:                                                                                                                                   322 v.3

Gospel Reading:                                                                                                                   John 15:1-8

      Song:                                                                                                                                   322 v.4

The Apostles Creed                                                                                                                    page 19

Song:                                                                                                                                                26

Sermon:                                                                                                                     Various Scriptures

What Does It Mean?

Song:                                                                                                                                              118

Offering:

Song:                                                                                                                                              126

Prayer:

Lord’s Prayer

Benediction:

Closing Song:                                                                                                                                   273

 

 

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This Week At Mt. Olive

 

Sunday:            8:45am  Prayer Time in the Fireside Room

                          9:00am  Family Worship Service

                        10:00am  Social Time

                          7:00pm  Coordinating Council

Monday:           7:00pm  “Beautiful Feet” Bible Study

Tuesday:           9:00am  Pastoral Conference / St. John’s, Stillwater

                        11:30am  Senior Luncheon / St. John’s, Minneapolis

Saturday:          8:30am  “Fix It Day” and Church Cleaning

Next Sunday:   6:30am  “Time of Grace” on KMSP, Channel 9

                          9:00am  Family Worship with Holy Communion

                        10:30am  Start of Sunday School & Adult Bible Class

                          6:00pm  CLM Dinner Cruise Down the Mississippi

 

The Altar Guild would like to replace the paraments in our church (the liturgically colored pulpit, lectern, and altar hangings and the accompanying pastor’s stole) and therefore announce the formation of a new Parament Fund to receive your contributions.  If you would like to make a special gift to this fund, checks may be made out to the Mt. Olive Altar Guild, with “Parament Fund” written on the memo line.  If you would like to give a gift in memory of loved ones, please note that also.  Thank you.  The next meeting of the Altar Guild is Thursday, September 20th, at 7:00pm.  They will have a brief meeting and then polish all the silver Communion ware.  Thank you, Altar Guild, for all your labors of love!

 

AA Meetings (The Firing Line) will be held on Sunday evenings here at Mt. Olive from 5:00 to 6:15pm.  Contact Dustin B. at 612.483.3198.

 

Mission Boxes for the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society that you have been filling with change can be turned in to Mae Schmidt, our LWMS Reporter, before the end of September to ensure being counted before the Fall Rally. New boxes are available in the back of church.  Thank you!

 

The Wildung Society of St. Croix Lutheran High School is having their annual dinner meeting on Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Southview Country Club.  Invitations have been sent out, but we don't want to miss anyone who should be included in the Society.  If you or someone you know has remembered St. Croix Lutheran High School in your estate plans or would like to plan or make an endowment gift to the SCLHS Foundation, please contact Pastor Bill Schaefer at 612-789-0100. He is the Gift Planning Counselor for the SCLHS Association congregations.  He also is available at no charge to advise and assist you with your estate plans.