Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church & Preschool

Welcome!

We extend a warm welcome to all who worship here today! Whether you are a member or a visitor, we pray your time with us this morning is a blessing.

About This Morning’s Scripture Readings:

(The Word of Christ Is the One Thing Needed)

“The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre” (Gen. 18:1) and received his hospitality. But Abraham received the gracious promise of a son. Though Abraham and Sarah were very old, nothing is “too hard for the Lord” (Gen. 18:14). His Word appointed the time and fulfilled the promise.

In the same way, the Lord Jesus “came to a village” and received Martha's hospitality (Luke 10:38). “Martha was distracted by all the preparations” because she was “worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:40–41), but her sister Mary “sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said” (Luke 10:39). The service of love is no sin, but “only one thing is needed” for both faith and love—the Word of Christ (Luke 10:42). Thus, the ministers of Christ are therefore sent “to present the Word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now is disclosed to the saints” (Col. 1:25–26).

The Order of the Holy Communion

Lutheran Service Book pages 203-212

† In Nomine Jesu †

Organ Prelude; Lighting of the candles; Ringing of the Chimes

† THE PREPARATION †

Opening Hymn: LSB #908 - “Lord, Open Now My Heart to Hear”

The congregation is invited to please stand as able.

The Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19-20)

C: Amen.

The Confession of Sins

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

C: Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8)

P: If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord who could stand?

C: But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. (Psalm 130:3-4)

P: Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness, and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition. Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.

(Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.)

A: Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life. Amen.

P: 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. (John 20:19-23)

C: Amen.

† THE SERVICE OF THE WORD †

The Introit: Psalm 119:105, 57-60, 64 (NIV)

[O LORD,] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

C: You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to obey Your words.

P: I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.

C: I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to Your statutes.

P: I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands.

The earth is filled with Your love, O LORD; teach me Your decrees.

A: 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.

The Kyrie: LSB page 204

The Gloria in Excelsis: LSB page 204

The Salutation and Collect for the Day

P: The Lord be with you. (Adapted from 2 Timothy 4:22)

C: And also with you.

P: Let us pray …

Grant us, O Lord, the Spirit to hear Your Word and know the one thing needful that by Your Word and Spirit we may live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

The congregation may be seated.

Catechism Reading

P: As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household: What benefits does Baptism give?

C: It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

P: Which are these words and promises of God?

C: Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” [Mark 16:16]

Old Testament Reading: Genesis 18:1-15 (NIV)

The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.

He said, "If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant."

"Very well," they answered, "do as you say."

So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. "Quick," he said, "get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread."

Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.

"Where is your wife Sarah?" they asked him.

"There, in the tent," he said.

Then the LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son."

Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?"

Then the LORD said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son."

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, "I did not laugh."

But he said, "Yes, you did laugh."

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle Reading: Colossians 1:21-29 (NIV)

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

P: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

The congregation is invited to please stand as able.

The Alleluia Verse: Romans 10:15b, 18b; Isaiah 52:7b (NIV)

P: Alleluia. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation. Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Alleluia.

The Holy Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the tenth chapter.

C: Glory to You, O Lord.

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

P: Here ends the Gospel.

C: Praise to You, O Christ.

The Nicene Creed

C: 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 worshiped 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 congregation may be seated.

Hymn of the Day: LSB #589 - “Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens”

The Sermon

Our Tithes and Offerings Are Received (To help us minister to your needs, please complete an attendance card from the pew rack and pass it to the center aisle where the ushers will collect them.)

The congregation is invited to please stand as able.

The General Prayer:

Pastor will conclude each petition of the General Prayer with the words, “Lord, in Your mercy” The congregation is invited to respond with: “Hear our prayer.”

† THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION †

To Our Guests

We welcome you to this worship service! It is a sad consequence of the division in Christianity that we cannot extend to all a general invitation to receive the Lord’s Supper. Lutherans believe, because the Bible declares, that in the Lord’s Supper we are given the very Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and that we are bound together as the body of Christ in the confession of the one faith this congregation confesses at the Lord’s Table. Reception of Holy Communion at this time by Christians who are not one in faith with us would imply a oneness which does not exist and for which we must all pray.

Therefore, because the Bible declares it is important for all to know what the Lord gives us in His Supper and that we be one in faith at the table of our Lord, we kindly ask guests who are not members of another Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregation to please abstain from receiving Holy Communion this morning. Instead, during Holy Communion, you are invited to join the congregation in meditating on God’s Word and singing the hymns.

If you wish, Pastor Slater will be pleased to speak with you about our LCMS communion practice and about preparing for a future, informed participation in the blessings and fellowship of the Sacrament with us.

Again, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you again!

The Preface and Sanctus: LSB p. 208

Prayer of Thanksgiving and The Lord’s Prayer: LSB p. 209

The Words of Institution and The Pax Domini: LSB p. 209

The Agnus Dei: LSB p. 210

The congregation may be seated

The Distribution

Distribution Hymns: LSB #618, #575, #644, #537

The congregation is invited to please stand as able.

The Nunc Dimittis: LSB p. 211

The Post-Communion Collect: LSB p. 212

The Benedicamus and the Benediction: LSB p. 212

Please remain standing for Silent Prayer while the candles are extinguished.

Announcements

† Soli Deo Gloria †

Stewardship of Our Talents

We give thanks to God for those who serve as we worship:

Pastor....................................................................... Rev. Troy Slater

Elder for the Month:..................................................... Mr. Don Kohls

Guest Organist:.................................................... Mrs. Ginny Riebhoff

Acolytes:........................... Presley Idleman and Mackenzie Schlesener

Greeters:........................................... Pooh and Mackenzie Schlesener

Greeters next Sunday: Marcella Hermstein and Don Kohls

Stewardship of Our Time

Worship attendance last Sunday:..................................................... 87

Sunday School attendance last Sunday:............................................ 25

Stewardship of Our Treasures

We gave thanks to God with our offerings received last Sunday:

Home $1,711.50

Missions $66.00

Together-In-Mission (Heiney) $25.00

Sunday School $6.40

Building Fund $45.00

Preschool $25.00

Other income received last Sunday:

Clem Weber memorials $110.00

Stewardship Thought

St. Paul knew full well that in Christ he had been redeemed from all his past sins and failures and equipped by the power of the Holy Spirit to live his life as a good steward of the mysteries and blessings of the Gospel. By God’s grace we are also called to freely and joyfully live our lives and use all of God’s blessings to honor Him and make life sweeter for others.

Where does my “Mission Offering” go?

For each dollar that is given this quarter (July - September) as a designated “Mission” offering, the following is the approximate manner it will be divided (per our 2009 congregational budget):

18 cents - Tuition assistance for a Seminary student

18 cents - Children’s Christian Concern Society

15 cents - Kansas District Mission Commitment

12 cents - Herington Elementary School

6 cents - Fort Wayne Seminary student food bank

31 cents - TBD by Evangelism and Mission boards

Thank you for your continued support of our congregation’s mission budget!

We include in our daily prayers:

Members who are home bound or in an extended care facility:

Larry Brockmeier; Helene Brunner; Velma Denver; Louise Gehrke; Bert Wendlandt; Lorene Will

Those with special needs:

Verda Fleming; Cecil Rock; Shirley and Jerry Vinyard; Ed Riffel

Those military members & relatives serving in foreign lands:

Immanuel Mgana (friend of the congregation deployed to Iraq); the brother of Mitch Lyons (deployed to Iraq)

Our members celebrating Birthdays this week:

Carol Langhofer, 7/20; Joe Biehler, 7/24

Our members celebrating Baptismal Anniversaries this week:

Ardith Alt, 7/18; Allyson French, 7/19; Bailey French, 7/19; Jillian French, 7/19; Justus Rucker, 7/21; Alvin Kickhaefer, 7/23

This Week at Our Redeemer (God Willing):

Sunday, July 18: The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

10:30 am Divine Service

Wednesday, July 21:

7:30 pm Board of Elders meeting

Thursday, July 22:

10:45 am Medicalodges Service w/Holy Communion

Sunday, July 25: The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

10:30 am Matins Service

10:30 am The Lutheran Hour on KJRL-FM (105.7)

11:30 am Quarterly Voters’ Assembly meeting

5:30—8:00 pm Vacation Bible School

News & Notes

KJIL-FM (105.7) - Next week hear a ‘classic’ Lutheran Hour message from the program’s founder and first speaker, Rev. Walter A. Maier entitled, “The Changeless Christ for a Changing World” based on Hebrews 13:8. This message was originally broadcast the day after Christmas, 1937. Listen to “The Lutheran Hour” every Sunday morning at 10:30 am on KJRL-FM (105.7). This good news broadcast is sponsored in part by Our Redeemer. The Lutheran Hour also airs on XM Radio 170 every Sunday at noon or anytime on the web at www.lutheranhour.org.

Life Quote. “Sin produces consequences. But praise God, there is Hope! There is always Hope for those who love and trust God! This Hope died for our sin and rose to victory! Hope is Jesus Christ who covers the repentant sinner with mercy every morning!” Linda Bartless, founder of Titus 2 for Life (www.titus2-4life.org) This ‘Life Quote’ is from Lutherans For Life-www.lutheransforlife.org/1-888-364-LIFE.

REAL REFORMATION RADIO...Do any of these topics interest you?: An Interview with LCMS President-Elect Pastor Matt Harrison, From Atheism to Lutheranism, The Lord's Supper, The Legacy of Martin Luther and more. Issues, Etc. is a radio talk show produced by Lutheran Public Radio and hosted by LCMS Pastor Todd Wilken. You can listen to what you want when you want at www.issuesetc.org.

Lutheran Witness Renewal for 2010-2011. For those who wish to renew their subscription to the Lutheran Witness or start a new one, please fill out an offering envelope from the table in the narthex, enclose your check for $14.50 and place it in the offering plate no later than August 8th. Questions??? Please call the church office at 258-3122.

Second Quarter Voters’ Meeting. Next Sunday morning, July 25th, immediately following the morning’s Matins service, we will hold our second quarter Voter’s Assembly meeting. Reports from Pastor, our officers and boards will be presented. All are invited and encouraged to attend the Voter’s Assembly meeting.

Vacation Bible School begins next Sunday evening at 5:30 pm with a supper for the whole family and then crafts, singing and learning about Jesus until 8:00 pm. Vacation Bible School will continue through Thursday evening, July 29th. Registration forms are available on the table in the narthex. Also, if you have a neighbor or relative who you think might like to come, grab an information sheet from the table and invite them!