October 31, 2004 Bulletin
Trinity Lutheran ChurchLutheran Book of Worship, Setting 2
Reformation Sunday, October 31, 2004
+ + + Welcome + + +
With reconciling love and grace, Trinity Lutheran Church welcomes all people into this community of Christ. We celebrate the diversity of God’s creation and our unity as God’s children. In our ministry of reconciliation, we strive to transcend all human boundaries. People of any race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and ability are welcome. Join with us as we seek to understand God’s love for us. We invite you to struggle with us to be faithful messengers of that love in the world.
Page numbers are in the front section of the Lutheran Book of Worship (green book). Hymns are referenced as LBW #, HS # (Hymnal Supplement 1991) or TFF # (This Far by Faith.)
(Please use the time during the Opening Voluntary to make the transition between “getting here” and “being there.” Relax your body; quiet the inner dialogue of your mind; be open and receptive to God’s Spirit in our midst.)
+ + + Gathering + + +
Opening Voluntary Schmucke Dich, o liebe Seele J. S. Bach
Announcements
*Confession and Forgiveness
D In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C Amen
D Recognizing our need for God’s mercy, let us confess our sin, and seek reconciliation with God and each other.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
D God of justice and compassion,
C We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have not always loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always been faithful stewards of your creation. We have often failed to share the bounty of your harvest with the poor and needy. Forgive our sin, increase our faith, strengthen us in service, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen
D Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and a lost sheep is found. In the mercy of God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you, and for Jesus sake, God forgives you all your sins.
C Amen
Entrance Hymn LBW# 365 Built on a Rock KIRKEN
* Greeting
D The rich presence of God, the beginning and end of all that is good, is with you now and always.
C And also with you.
* Kyrie Eleison
A In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
A For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
A For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
A For this holy house, and for all who offer here our worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C Lord, have mercy.
A Help, save, comfort and defend us, gracious Lord.
C Amen.
*Hymn of Praise p.81
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches, and wisdom, and strength and honor and blessing, and glory are God’s.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation;
Blessing, and honor, and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God,
For the lamb who was slain has begun to reign. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Salutation (sung) p.82
D The Lord is with you.
C And also with you.
* Prayer of the Day
A Let us pray.
C Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people to seek more eagerly the help you offer, that, at the last, they may enjoy the fruit of salvation: through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
+ + + Word + + +
Anthem Thy Church, O God, her heart to Thee Up Raiseth E. Thiman
First Reading Jeremiah 31: 31-34
31The LORD said:
The time will surely come when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and Judah. 32It will be different from the agreement I made with their ancestors when I led them out of Egypt. Although I was their God, they broke that agreement.
33Here is the new agreement that I, the LORD, will make with the people of Israel:
"I will write my laws on their hearts and minds. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34"No longer will they have to teach one another to obey me. I, the LORD, promise that all of them will obey me, ordinary people and rulers alike. I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done."
*Psalm 46 God, Our Help and Constant Refuge HS #704
Second Reading Romans 3: 19-28
19We know that everything in the Law was written for those who are under its power. The Law says these things to stop anyone from making excuses and to let God show that the whole world is guilty. 20God doesn't accept people simply because they obey the Law. No, indeed! All the Law does is to point out our sin.
21Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn't by obeying the Law of Moses. 22God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ. 23All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. 24But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. 25-26God sent Christ to be our sacrifice. Christ offered his life's blood, so that by faith in him we could come to God. And God did this to show that in the past he was right to be patient and forgive sinners. This also shows that God is right when he accepts people who have faith in Jesus. 27What is left for us to brag about? Not a thing! Is it because we obeyed some law? No! It is because of faith. 28We see that people are acceptable to God because they have faith, and not because they obey the Law.
Hymn In Times of Great Decision
In times of great decision, be with us , God we pray.
Give each of us a vision of Jesus’ loving way.
When louder words seem endless and other voices sure,
Remind us of your promise: your love and truth endures.
O God, whose gifts are countless, you send us bearing peace.
You fill our dreams with justice for all communities.
You give us global neighbors that all may justly live.
May those we choose as leaders reflect the life you give.
O God, you bridge the distance; you opened wide your door.
You call us by our presence to reach to serve the poor.
You teach us; welcome strangers, seek justice on the earth.
May those we choose as leaders see every person’s worth.
You call on every nation to put aside all greed,
To care for your creation and for your ones in need,
To care for those in prison, for children for the ill.
In times of great decision, may we choose leaders well.
* Holy Gospel John 8: 31-36
Gospel Verse (sung) p.83
C Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
D The Holy Gospel according to St. John the 8th chapter.
C Glory to you, O Lord.
31Jesus told the people who had faith in him, "If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. 32You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
33They answered, "We are Abraham's children! We have never been anyone's slaves. How can you say we will be set free?"
34Jesus replied:
I tell you for certain that anyone who sins is a slave of sin! 35And slaves don't stay in the family forever, though the Son will always remain in the family. 36If the Son gives you freedom, you are free!
D The Gospel of the Lord.
C Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
*Creedal Hymn HS #797 This is the Three-Fold Truth THREEFOLD TRUTH
*Prayers
*Exchange of Peace
The Offering
*Offertory (sung) p.86
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and dreams of all; unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
*Offertory Prayer
D God our provider,
C all that we have is a sign of your love; all that we are is a gift from your hand. Receive these offerings along with our thanksgiving, that our lives may proclaim your care for creation redeemed by Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
+ + + Meal + + +
*The Peace
D Peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ.
*Distribution of Communion
D When our congregation gathered for the celebration of Holy Communion, Pastor shared again the story of God’s mighty acts and of the love shown us in the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. With thanksgiving we remembered that “in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.”
We were given assurance of our Lord’s presence through the gift of his Holy Spirit. Now we bring to you this same bread of life and this same cup of blessing, that you may be strengthened through your participation in the body of Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
*The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven,
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
D As often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
(Come to the table as directed by an usher.)
Communion
Communion Hymns
*Lamb of God p.92
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
Hymn LBW #203 Now We Join in Celebration SCHMUCKE DICH
*Post Communion Canticle (sung) p.92
Thank the Lord and sing God’s praise; tell everyone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear this name.
God recalls these promises and leads all people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. Alleluia.
*Post Communion Prayer
D We give you thanks, faithful God, for feeding us with this one heavenly food. Transform us through this meal into the likeness of your Son, and unite us in love for one another, that we may be your body in the world; in Jesus’ name we pray.
C Amen
+ + + Sending + + +
Blessing
D Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth and forevermore.
C Amen
*Sending Hymn :LBW #229 A Mighty Fortress is our God EIN FESTE BURG
*Dismissal
D Go in peace, equipped by God for every good work.
C Amen
*Closing Voluntary Gran Jeu P DuMage
*Those who are able are asked to stand
Visitors: A warm welcome is extended to our visitors! Please sign the blue attendance book and/or a visitor’s card so we can get to know you.
Members of Trinity for whom we pray: Sarah K., Hazel K., Marty B., Marie R., Paul S., Carroll S., and all our homebound.
Friends of Trinity we also include in prayer: Messiah Lutheran Church in Fairview Park and Pastors Jerome Bruce and Richard Ramirez. Foursquare Chapel in Lakewood.
In Times of Great Decision Text copyright 2004 by Carolyn Gillette. All rights reserved. Email bcgillette@comcast.net. Published by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, P.O. Box 34003, Nashville, TN 37203; telephone 615-340-7070; website http//www.umcworship.org; email music@gbod.org.
Coming Events:
Oct. 29 Halloween Dance at The Chat Room (no charge) 8:00 – 10:00 p.m
Nov. 1 Community Meal 5:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 Christian Education Committee 10:00 a.m.
Quilter’s Legacy of Lakewood 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 4 South Africa Mission Trip Group Meeting in Norton 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Community Room Rental 9:00 a.m.
Adventures in Dining 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 Consecration Sunday
We Welcome Deaconess Deborah Nebel as she serves us as preacher and worship leader today. She is a member of Hope Lutheran, Cleveland Heights and works with UHCAN, a not-for-profit organization advocating for Health Care reform.
Trinity says thank you to:
· Mary R. for a gift towards the refrigerator repair.
· Rick Murphy and Wendy K. for delivering pizza during the Oct. 17 fundraiser for our South Africa travelers.
· Thrivent Care in Congregations program for a funding match for the Oct. 17 fundraiser and for funding the Oct. 10 “Fix-up” Day at Trinity.
· Suzanne Q. for serving as chair of the Fellowship Committee. She is stepping down to take a rest. Anyone interested in socializing activities would be a welcome replacement.
This and that:
· Suggested by Pastor: A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton. This is a novel that is rich in human struggle, the grace of forgiveness and new life in real ways.
· Sunday School needs a teacher for the 4th and 5th grad class for November 6th and 13th! Please call Cathy A. if you can help.
· David Usis played in an Ecumenical concert at the Latvian Lutheran Church last Sunday featuring the Schubert Mass in F. Thank you to Judy F. for filling in at Trinity.
· Council: Interested in being part of our Congregational Council? Nominations will be soon. Let Dave R. know if you are interested.
· Janet E. has a new address: The Welsh Home, 22199 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River, 44116.
"Thank you from the Stewardship Committee to everyone who helped with the potluck last Sunday. This means you - those who helped with set-up, who brought food, and who helped with clean-up. The food was wonderful (YUM). It was a lot of fun!! And also a big thank you to the Sunday School children who entertained us with their song."
Finances as of 9-30-04 Actual 2004 Budgeted 2004
Income-Contributions 63,653 67,500
Rental/Other 4,398 3,285
Expansion 16,000 9,000
Total 84,051 79,785
Expenses 94,880 102,955
Shortfall -10,829 -23,170
Thank you from Donna H.: My heartfelt thanks goes out to all the “angels” at Trinity who supported me throughout my recent six week stay at Lutheran Hospital. I am so thankful for your prayers, cards, visits, phone calls, treats, transportation, and “escapes” God bless you!
Thursday at Noon begins 2 hours of exercise in our Memorial Lounge.
· 12:00 Chair exercises with our Parish Nurse
· 12:45: Chewing exercise with a BYO LUNCH
· 1:15: Spiritual exercise and the reading of the Gospel of Matthew. This week’s leader is Bill Pearson.
Chuck M., Tom K., Ruthanne W., Wendy R., Bruce T., and Pastor have been meeting with Synod staffer, Ron Zoesch to visualize ministry plans for us. There is still room for any idea person to be part of this. See any of the above folks for information.
Lakewood Christian Service Center served 351 families (760 individuals) during September! Their most needed items include rice, juice, canned fruit, spaghetti sauce and crackers. Thank you for your support.
Keep these dates!
· November 4-6: Hazadarous Waste Round-up will be held at the Cuyahoga Country Fairgrounds in Berea.
· November 15: All members and chairs of the Finance, Stewardship, Witness and Worship Committees have been requested to meet at 6:30 p.m.
· November 21: plans are to have a supper to thank our neighbors by inviting them to dinner. This is a way to encourage people to come and see Jesus in our ministries.
· December 4: Holiday gift making with neighborhood children. Watch for more details as these two outreach plans continue.
· December 7: Benefit concert for Transitional Housing for Women by Broadway Diva Linda Eder along with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and the North Coast Men’s Chorus will join in a Holiday Concert at Severance Hall. All proceeds go directly to support of Transitional Housing.
From our Parish Nurse: Greetings Trinity Friends
I cannot believe that time has gone so quickly this month. It’s October 31st! Halloween! I would like to conclude the information we discussed last week on the” Top 10 Mistakes that Older Americans Make”. As a review, the first 4 were:
1. Driving when it’s no longer safe.
2. Allowing vanity to get in the way of assistive devices
3. Reluctance to discuss intimate health problems with a doctor or health care provider.
4. Not making sure they understand their health problem or treatment plan.
Let’s take up from there on the rest of the “mistakes” that may occur. My hope is that, if you see yourself or someone you love described in one of these areas, you can initiate change.
1. Disregarding the serious potential for a fall. Falls result in fractures and painful injuries, which sometimes take months to heal. Yet many at increased risk for falls do not remove obstacles from their homes and ensure adequate lighting or repair areas around walkways. Wearing sturdy, well fitting shoes and participating in exercise programs to improve muscle tone and balance can help.
2. Failure to manage medicines. Missed medicine doses can result in inadequate treatment of a medical condition. Taking medicine too often can result in serious problems too. Daily schedules, divides pill boxes and check-off sheets can reduce the number of missed or extra doses. Everyone should know the names of all the medicines that they take and why they are taking them.
3. Not having a single primary care doctor who looks at the overall medical plan of treatment. Health problems may be overlooked when a person is going to several doctors.
4. Not seeking medical attention for possible early warning signs. Denial that anything is wrong, fear of medical costs, or reduces self-worth are many reasons why seniors do not recognize early warning signs of serious conditions or fail to get treatment early.
5. Failure to participate in prevention programs. Prevention programs include flu and pneumonia shots and routine breast and prostate exams that are readily available to maintain good health (usually!!).
6. Not asking loved ones for help. Many older Americans are very independent, stubborn, proud or embarrassed to ask for help. Please ask for help from a loved one or friend OR YOUR PARISH NURSE!!!
Thank you for listening. If this is YOU or someone you love, seek out help to change your area of concern. I would love to help any way I can!!
God’s peace and love
Kathy
Serving in Ministry
Altar Guild – Kirsten R. Assisting Minister – Bob D.
Greeters – Sarah H., Bill P. Organist/Minister of Music - David Usis
Parish Nurse - Kathy Devney Pastor - Paula Maeder Connor
Maintenance - Rick Murphy Reader – Bill P.
Servers –Cody K., Paige R.
Trinity Lutheran Church
Sunday Morning Service at 10:30 a.m.
16400 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Website: http://members.core.com/~trinitylutheran