Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

February 23, 2014

9:30 A.M. Worship with Holy Communion

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Welcome!

We’re glad God has called you here today! We pray that you’ll encounter God in worship, and hope that you’ll be with us again soon! If you haven’t met our pastor, please be sure to say hello either before or after the service. We also hope you’ll stay after worship for coffee and fellowship in the Gathering Area.

We love having children in worship, even if they occasionally make a joyful noise! Most services include a children’s sermon and special children’s bulletins. There are also activity bags by the worship space entrance that your child can use. Children are welcome at the Table, and we don’t have a specific age for communing. If you’d like your child to commune, please let the pastor know. A professionally staffed nursery for infants and preschool-aged children is available during worship and the education hour for parents who need it.

If you have special needs, we will do our best to help meet them. Our sound system is compatible with many hearing assistance devices. Large-print worship bulletins with the full text of the service are available from the ushers. Print copies of the scriptures and of the sermon are also available. The sermon is also on our website: www.ctlelgin.org. If you have mobility issues, let an usher know, and communion can be brought to you. We can easily remove chairs anywhere in the worship space to provide extra room for wheelchairs and walkers.

Holy Communion is celebrated every Sunday. We practice open communion, which means that all who believe Christ is truly present in this meal are welcome at the table, no questions asked. It is Christ’s table, and it is Christ himself who invites you. Come forward as the ushers direct.

You’ll be offered the bread, the body of Christ, which you should eat as soon as you receive it. (If you need gluten-free bread, simply ask the minister, who can offer you that.) You may then drink either from the common cup, which contains wine, or take an individual cup from the tray. The individual cups in the center of the tray contain non-alcoholic grape juice. Empty cups may be placed in the tray that follows the server. If you or your child would prefer a blessing instead of communion, please come forward with everyone else, and simply cross your arms over your chest to indicate this.

Do you have a prayer need? Individual prayer is available. Simply go to the chair at the side after you commune, and someone will be there to pray with you. You may also write prayer requests in the book outside the worship space entrance. You can also send an e-mail to the pastor at ctlpastor@ctlelgin.org.

For more information about the ministries we’re involved in here at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church (CTL), visit the Hospitality Table near the entrance to the building, or go to our website, www.ctlelgin.org.

We ask that everyone sign and pass to your neighbor the Get Acquainted Sheet that is in the black pad at the end of each row. When it reaches the other end of the row, pass it back the other direction, and look to see who your neighbors are…it’s a great way for us all to get to know one another! Please be aware that pictures may be taken during the service and at various church events. These photos may be used in a variety of written and electronic materials, including our website. If you do not want your picture used, please notify Linda Gagnon, Office Administrator, in writing.

CREDITS: Liturgy texts and music from SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright 2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #23714. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Preface and Benediction adapted from laughingbird.net.

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Gathering: The Holy Spirit assembles us as the People of God …

P: Presiding Minister A: Assembly L: Leader R: Reader C: Choir

Prelude “Allegro from Sonata IV in D Major” Handel Sarah Cowley – Violin

The Assembly stands.

Confession and Forgiveness

All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked on our foreheads at baptism, as the Presiding Minister begins.

P Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Word made flesh, the Lord and giver of life.

A Amen.

P Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection. You may kneel if you wish.

P God of glory, God of peace, A we confess that we have shunned the light that reveals the truth about us. We cling to worldly things rather than sharing the gifts of this earth. We trust ourselves above all. Save your people, O God; sustain the rivers and trees that sing your praise; and free us to live boldly in the light and truth of Jesus, our Savior. Amen.

P The grace of God shines upon us, bringing salvation to the whole world. We are saved, our sins are washed away, not because of anything we have done, but according to God’s mercy in + Jesus Christ. Renewed by the Holy Spirit, let us live in hope and joy.

A Amen.

Today we hear, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Yet we know we

cannot achieve perfection. Our attempts to love neighbors and even our enemies fall short of what God desires for us. Yet in Jesus we see one who loved even those who persecuted and killed him. We are made holy in baptism, and forgiven at the table of God’s mercy. As a people made holy by God, we go in peace to love as we have been loved.

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Gathering Song “Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation” (vv. 1, 2, & 4) Hymnal 645

Greeting

P The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. A And also with you.

Hymn of Praise “Glory to God, Glory in the Highest” Hymnal 164

On the “Alleluia, amen,” the men will sing the lower notes, the women will sing the middle notes, and the children will sing the highest notes.

Prayer of the Day

P Let us pray. Holy God of compassion, you invite us into your way of forgiveness and peace. Lead us to love our enemies, and transform our words and deeds to be like his through whom we pray, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

A Amen.

The Assembly is seated.

Why do we… divide the service into “Gathering,” “Word,” “Meal,” and “Sending”?

The order we follow each week in the liturgy is made up of four distinct parts: Gathering, the service of the Word, the Meal that we share at Christ’s Table, and Sending out into the world. There are historical reasons for this order. You can see where each begins by looking at the big headings in this bulletin. Over the next weeks, we’ll look at each of these parts of the service separately.

The Gathering portion is just what it says: It’s a time for us to gather physically and spiritually in order to come into God’s presence with confidence and joy. Many weeks, and in particular during the season of Lent that’s coming up, we begin first with Confession and Absolution, acknowledging our need for God’s forgiveness and our need for reconciliation with both God and neighbor. That’s an important means of preparing ourselves to be in the presence of the Holy One. On festival Sundays, we often will substitute a Thanksgiving for Baptism, which celebrates what God has done for us in our baptism.

We then focus our hearts on worship by spending time in meditation and prayer. Sometimes this time of

reflection is accompanied by the Prelude music, and other times we do that in silence.

Then we joyfully join in our Gathering song, entering into God’s gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Sometimes we’ll also sing a Kyrie, a prayer asking for God’s mercy on us and on all the world. And in most seasons, we then sing a Canticle of Praise, a scripture-based song that gives glory to God. Most often, this is either a Gloria (which echoes the angels’ song giving glory to God in the highest heaven and offering peace to God’s people on Earth) or “This is the Feast,” which is based on the scripture in Revelation that echoes the song the angels sing around God’s throne: “This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia!”

We invoke the presence of the Holy Trinity by greeting one another, and conclude this section of our

worship with the Prayer of the Day. We then sit down, our hearts opened and ready to listen to God’s Word for us this day.

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Word: God speaks to us in scripture, preaching, and song …

Reading from the Hebrew Scriptures Leviticus 19: 1–2, 9–18

R A reading from Leviticus.

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the LORD your God.

You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another. And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the LORD.

You shall not defraud your neighbor; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a laborer until morning. You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.

You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

At the end of the reading:

R Word of God, word of life. A Thanks be to God!

Psalm 119:33–40 (Tune: Tallis’ Canon)

1. Eternal Lord, teach me your way, And I will follow for my part; Enable me to know your law, Which I will keep with all my heart.

2. Engage my feet upon the path Of your commandments, hear my plea;

Expel all love of unjust gain, Incline my heart to your decree.

3. Endow me, in your ways, with life, And turn my eyes from sin and shame; Establish now the promise, Lord,

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You make to those who fear your Name.

4. Expose me not to dread reproach, For all your judgments, Lord, are right; Eternal Lord, preserve my life, For your commands are my delight.

Reading from the New Testament 1 Corinthians 3:10–11, 16–23

R A reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building on it. Each builder must choose with care how to build on it. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one that has been laid; that foundation is Jesus Christ. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,

“He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast about human leaders. For all things are yours, whether Paul or

Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

At the end of the reading:

R Word of God, word of life. A Thanks be to God!

The Assembly stands to greet the Good News of Jesus.

Gospel Acclamation Hymnal 172

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Gospel Matthew 5:38–48

P This is the Good News of Jesus Christ according to St. Matthew. A Glory to you, O Lord!

[Jesus said,] “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

At the end of the reading:

P The gospel of the Lord. A Praise to you, O Christ!

The Gospel Acclamation is sung once again. The Assembly is then seated. The children are then invited forward to hear the Word for them.

The Word for the Children

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Response The Assembly will be divided in two parts to sing the response.

Sermon

Silence for reflection follows the sermon. The Assembly then stands.

Hymn of the Day “Oh, Praise the Gracious Power” Hymnal 651

Prayers of the People

Each time the Leader says, “God of love, hear our prayer,” the Assembly responds:

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As we pray today, we lift up especially: Bob Blake, Carol Blohm, Norma Brinkley, Julie Goetsch, Ursula Hebein, Pat Hill, Mary Ellen Hoglund, Nancy Kallenbach, Sue Kuschmirz, Barb Lawrence, Pete Lokkesmoe, Larry & Joyce Matson, Dick & Dena Morford, Henrietta Neeley, Dennis Peotter, Bob Peterson, Nicole Riebock, Gary & Lois Schmidt, Dave Schneider, Maureen Stolt, and Jeremy Tindle. We pray also for those in our ongoing Circle of Care: Lora Ackman, Alex Aquinaga, Alex Alanis, Sylvia Alanis.

Peace

P The peace of Christ be with you always. A And also with you.

The people of the Assembly greet each other in the peace of Christ, saying “Peace be with you,” “The peace of the Lord,” or similar words.

If you prefer not to shake hands, you might raise your hand in a gesture of blessing as you speak peace to your neighbors. After the Peace, all return to their seats.

Meal: Christ comes among us in bread and wine…

Offering An offering is gathered for doing God’s mission, including the care of those in need.

If you’ve not already done so, fill in the Get Acquainted Pad and pass it along.

Offertory Music “Come, Christians, Join to Sing” arr. J. Krug Handbell Choir

The Assembly stands when directed as the gifts are brought forward.

Presentation of the Gifts “Take My Life, That I May Be” (vv. 1, 2, & 4) Hymnal 583

Offering Prayer

L Let us pray. God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

A Amen.

Dialogue

P The Lord be with you. A And also with you. P Lift up your hearts! A We lift them up to the Lord. P Let us give thanks to the Lord our God! A It is right to give God thanks and praise!

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Preface

P It is indeed right to give you our thanks and praise, O God, for your love and wisdom are perfect, but the wisdom of this world is foolishness to you. You laid the foundations of the earth and built a people to be your holy temple. Through the law you taught us to walk in your ways, to love one another and provide for all equally, just as you graciously make the sun to shine and rain to fall on good and bad alike.

When we became caught in the futility of selfishness and vengefulness, you sent your child, Jesus, as the new foundation on which to rebuild a holy temple of perfect love that goes beyond the demands of the law. When he was put to death, you raised him to new life and placed all things in his hands to share with all who belong to him.

Therefore, with hearts full of gratitude, we sing joyfully, giving thanks to you, our Father, at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We join our voices with Polycarp, Elizabeth Fedde, George Herbert, and with all your holy ones of all times and places. With earth and all its creatures, with sun, moon, and stars, with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your Name, and join their unending hymn:

You Are Holy Hymnal 525

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Thanksgiving at the Table

P Blessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all. By your powerful word you created all things. Through the prophets you called your people to be a light to the nations. Blessed are you for Jesus, your Son. He is your Light, shining in our darkness and revealing to us your mercy and might.

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus 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.

Remembering, therefore, his preaching and healing, his dying and rising, and his promise to come again, we await that day when all the universe will rejoice in your holy and life-giving light.

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By your Spirit bless us and this meal, that, refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world, revealing the brilliance of your Son.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.

A Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer The Assembly joins in the prayer that Jesus taught us.

You may use these words or a version more familiar to you.

P Lord, remember us in your Kingdom, and teach us to pray. A 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.

Invitation to Communion

L Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! Blessed are all who are called to the supper of the Lamb.

A Thanks be to God!

Distribution of Holy Communion

Please see the inside front cover for instructions concerning Holy Communion.

Lamb of God

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Communion Song “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love” Hymnal 708

The Assembly stands when the Presiding Minister directs.

Blessing after Communion

P The body and blood of our + Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. A Amen.

Prayer after Communion

L Let us pray. Lord, it is good for us to be here, for we have tasted your glory in this holy meal. Continue your goodness as we go out from here. Open our eyes to see your face shining in every person, and send us to be your servants in every place, for you are the life and light of all, both now and forever.

A Amen.

Sending of Communion

P Compassionate God, as Jesus called disciples to follow him, bless those who will go forth to share your word and sacrament with those who are sick and homebound. May these gifts be signs of our love and prayers, that through the sharing of the body and blood of Christ, all may know your grace and healing revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Amen.

Sending: God’s Spirit blesses us and sends us out into the world…

Blessing

P Go now, knowing that you are God’s holy temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you. Therefore, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, give generously to all who need your help, and be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

And may God give you all things in Christ; May + Christ Jesus be the foundation of all you are and do; And may the Spirit fill you with delight in all God’s ways.

A Amen.

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Announcements

Sending Song “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” Hymnal 707

Dismissal

L Go in peace. Your Light has come! A Thanks be to God!

Postlude “Orgelstucke” Kehrer

Worship Leaders

Pr. Keith Fry .......................................................................... Presiding Minister Debbie McGuire ..................................................................... Assisting Minister Jason Palmer ...........................................................................Director of Music Jim Harrer .................................................................... Handbell Choir Director Nick Nelson ............................................................................................ Acolyte Steve Tousey ....................................................................... First Lesson Reader Henrietta Neeley ........................................................... Second Lesson Reader Dorothy Gunter (Cup), Cheri Lee Lewis (Gifts) ............................................ Cup Anneliese Jackson and Nick Nelson ............................................................ Tray Carter Riebock and August Nelson ........................................................ Pick Up Dss. Andrea Delaney ....................................................................... Prayer Chair Karen Cummings and Sue Kuschmirz .................................................. Greeters Steve & Susan Tousey ............................................................................. Ushers John Mullins and Steve Tousey............................................................ Counters Mark Delaney ...................................................................................... Sacristan Karin Krog ............................................................................... Hospitality Table Barb Bosch .................................................................................. Coffee Service Susan Tousey ................................................. Altar Guild & Communion Bread John Cowley ................................................................................... Sound Board Karl Nelson ............................................................................. Nursery Assistant

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Commemorations for the Week

Sunday, February 23, 2014 Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, martyr, died 156 Because he is said to have been a disciple of John of Patmos, the author of Revelation, as well as because of his insistence on maintaining the tradition of the apostles in interpreting the sayings of Jesus, Bishop Polycarp is considered to be one of the three chief Apostolic Fathers of the early Church. He was burned at the stake at age 86 for refusing to renounce his faith or to burn incense at the Emperor’s altar. He is reported to have said before his martyrdom, “Eighty-six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? Bring on whatever you want.”

Tuesday, February 25 Elisabeth Fedde, Deaconess, died 1921 Born in Norway and trained there as a deaconess, Sister Elisabeth was asked to come in 1883 to minister to the poor and to sailors in New York City. She established the Deaconess House in Brooklyn to train other women as deaconesses, and established a hospital there that continues today. She was then invited to Minneapolis to establish Deaconess Hospital there.

Saturday, March 1 George Herbert, hymnwriter, died 1633 An excellent scholar, Herbert served briefly in the English Parliament, then became a parish priest. He was known for devoted care of his parishioners, as well as for writing poetry and hymns, including “Come, my way, my truth, my life.” He died at age 40.

Sunday, March 2 John Wesley, died 1791; Charles Wesley, died 1788; renewers of the church These brothers led a revival originally intended to remain within the Church of England, one that involved frequent communion and advocacy for the poor. Except for a brief time in America, they worked in England. Charles was also a prolific hymn writer. After their deaths, their work led to the formation of the Methodist Church.

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Reclaiming the “P” Word

We receive constant messages through movies, music, standardized tests, and self-proclaimed experts of what constitutes “real” beauty, “real” intelligence, “real” success, or a “real” relationship. We are led to believe that anything in our lives that doesn’t match up with that picture of perfection is somehow deficient or wrong.

As a result, the command to “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48) can turn instantly into a kind of performance evaluation that says, “You had better show some improvement in these areas!” How many people have wasted all kinds of mental and emotional energy trying to live up to that impossible standard?

Fortunately for us, the world’s idea of perfection bears little resemblance to God’s. The word Jesus uses in this passage—the one we know as “perfect”—is the same word he utters from the cross when he says, “It is finished” (John 19:30). There, it’s a sign of completeness: of Jesus having lived fully and courageously into his God-given identity. It’s a fulfillment of the promise he received when the heavens opened and God’s voice came upon him saying, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased” (Matt. 3:17).

That’s your identity too. When Jesus calls you to be perfect, he’s calling you back to your baptism. He’s inviting you to see your life not as the sum total of your accomplishments and failures, but in the light of God’s love for you. Because of that love, your life will never be judged on your own faithfulness, but on Christ’s. The standard-bearer has clothed you in the robe of righteousness. Wear it with confidence that you are called, chosen, and accepted just the way you are. You are, for Christ’s sake, perfect.

Christ the Lord Lutheran Church “We are centered in Christ, and reach out to care”

12N462 Tina Trail, Elgin, Illinois 60124-4876

Telephone: 847-741-8141

E-mail: ctloffice@ctlelgin.org

Website: www.ctlelgin.org