20150426

April 26, 2015

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP:

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 5443 Sunset Rd New Port Richey, FL 34652 (727) 849–4418 Rev. Thomas R. Wenndt, Pastor Cell phone (727) 597-9405 website: faithnpr.org

SATURDAYS: Contemporary Worship at 5 pm Holy Communion: 1st & 3rd Saturdays SUNDAYS: Worship at 8:00 am Holy Communion: 1st and 3rd Sundays Sunday School: 9:30 am Confirmation: 9:30 am Worship at 11:00 am Holy Communion: 2nd & 4th Sundays Our Mission Statement

Loving Jesus and Making His love known.

e-mail: frontoffice@faithnpr.org pastortom@faithnpr.org

TO OUR GUESTS: Please sign our guest book in Narthex I and fill out a fellowship card to place in the offering plate.

FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH 4th

April 26th, 2015 Sunday of Easter – CONFIRMATION SUNDAY WELCOME TO OUR SERVICE THIS MORNING

If you are a first time guest, we want to extend a special welcome. We are honored to have you with us during this time of worship and pray that you will be blessed by our fellowship and the Word of God that is shared. If you do not have a church home, we ask that you consider becoming a part of our fellowship. Please fill out one of the cards in front of you, and note the information regarding communion participation on the back it.

We pray that you will join us again soon.

If you are a member or frequent guest, we appreciate your faithful encouragement in our worship and walk in the Lord. If there is someone sitting around you that you do not know, please be sure to introduce yourself, they may be a member that you have not previously met or a guest who would welcome your warm friendliness.

TO PONDER, AS WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP: On this confirmation Sunday, we are reminded that we live in a world whose favorite statement is often, “What's in it for me?”

And even in our own lives, we want to ask that question. Jesus comes as the Good Shepherd to battle the enemies of sin and death and to protect and defend us, His sheep.

He does this all not for Himself but for us. For us He lives, for us He dies, and for us He rises again. He took on our flesh and blood not for gain or glory but in order to battle our enemies and win for us the victory only He could win. Now we can spend our lives hearing His voice, responding with joy, and in gratitude following His lead to eternal life. What's in it for me? Jesus answers: "Your salvation." May God fill us with His love in our worship today.

OPENING PRAISE FROM PSALM 4:

Please STAND and face the back

P: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy C: P: C: P:

Spirit be with you all.

AND ALSO WITH YOU. The LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; THE LORD HEARS WHEN I CALL TO HIM. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

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C: P: C: P: C:

ANSWER ME WHEN I CALL, O GOD OF MY RIGHTEOUSNESS! You have put joy in my heart.

YOU ALONE, O LORD, MAKE ME DWELL IN PEACE! Your Word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS CONTINUES FOREVER.

OPENING HYMN:

“Thy Strong Word”

LSB #578, vs. 1–4

INVOCATION AND CONFESSION OF SINS: P: In the Name of the Father, and of the [+] Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: AMEN. P: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

C: HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! P: "I am the Good Shepherd," says the Lord.

C: THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP. Moment of silence for reflection and self – examination.

P: For our suspicion and caution towards the outpouring of the Spirit among us, C: WE CONFESS TO YOU, LORD. P For our failure to live in ways consistent with the gifts of the Spirit, C: WE CONFESS TO YOU, LORD. P: For our timid refusal to speak of Christ to the people in our lives – friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances and even our own family, C: WE CONFESS TO YOU, LORD. P: For our neglect when we could have made a difference in times of trouble, sorrow, poverty or need, C: WE CONFESS TO YOU, LORD. P: For all other sins of thought, word and deed – sins we committed and sins we omitted, C: WE CONFESS TO YOU, LORD. 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 bring to you the Good News that your sins are forgiven in the Name of the Father and of the [+] Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: AMEN. P: May He who began this good work within you bring it to completion on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. The peace of the Lord be with you.

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C: AND ALSO WITH YOU! GREETING OF THE PEACE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS HYMN OF PRAISE:

“Thy Strong Word”

LSB #578, vs. 5–6

SERVICE OF THE WORD SALUTATION AND COLLECT OF THE DAY: P: The Lord be with you.

C: AND ALSO WITH YOU. P: Let us pray together: C: ALMIGHTY GOD, MERCIFUL FATHER, SINCE YOU HAVE WAKENED FROM DEATH THE SHEPHERD OF YOUR SHEEP, GRANT US YOUR HOLY SPIRIT THAT WHEN WE HEAR THE VOICE OF OUR SHEPHERD WE MAY KNOW HIM WHO CALLS US EACH BY NAME AND FOLLOW WHERE HE LEADS; THROUGH THE SAME JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, OUR LORD, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN. Please be seated READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER R: The first lesson for this day comes from the book of Acts, the fourth chapter. We are reminded that there is salvation in no other name than the Name that is above all names by which we may be saved. Reading from verse one: FIRST LESSON:

Acts 4: 1 – 12, page 1,160

(St. Luke writes:) 1As they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4But many of those who had heard the Word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being examined today concerning a good 4

deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead — by Him this man is standing before you well. 11This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the Chief Cornerstone. 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

R: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: THANKS BE TO GOD. R: The second lesson is from the first letter of the apostle, St. John, the third chapter.

In this lesson, part of which will serve as the sermon text for today, we are reminded that the real proof of God’s love is how His Son laid down His life for each of us.

Reading from verse sixteen.

SECOND LESSON: 1 John 3: 16 – 24, page 1,303 16 [The Evangelist writes:] By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk only but also in deed and in truth.

19 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before Him; 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and He knows everything. 21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; 22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him. 23And this is His commandment, that we believe in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. 24Whoever keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in them. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

R: In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets.

C: BUT NOW IN THESE LAST DAYS, HE HAS SPOKEN TO US BY HIS SON. R: Please STAND as a sign of resurrection hope.

P: The Holy Gospel for this Confirmation Sunday comes from the Good News according to St. John, the tenth chapter. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, willingly lays down His life for His sheep. Reading from verse eleven: 5

HOLY GOSPEL:

John 10: 11 – 18, page 1,140

[Jesus said:] 11I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14I am the Good Shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, 15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice.

So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. 18No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.

This charge I have received from My Father.”

Please be seated SERMON HYMN:

"Our Lord and God, Oh, Bless This Day" (sung to the alternate version of, "A Mighty Fortress” LSB# 657)

1. Our 2. Oh, 3. And

Lord and God, oh, bless this day And hear us, we im – bless Your Word to all the young; Let them, Your truth pos– when they leave their child-hood home, When Sa – tan comes al –

plore You; None of Your chil – dren turn a – way Who now ap – ses – sing, Bear wit – ness true with heart and tongue, Their faith and lur – ing, May their bap – tis – mal grace be – come A re – fuge

pear be – fore You. We come be – fore Your face And pray: let ours con – fess – ing. From moth – er’s arms Your grace With love did re – as – sur – ing.

God’s cov – e – nant is sure; His prom – is – 6

Your rich grace them em – brace. es en – dure.

De – scend from heav’n a – bove Bap – tized in – to Your Name, They ne’er shall be un – done

In As Who

all Your won – drous love, And keep us

by Your Spir – it.

Yours You did them claim; O Lord, as Yours, now own them! trust in God a – lone – God is their might – y For – tress!

SERMON:

“Another ‘John 3:16’ For You” based on 1 John 3:16

[8 AM svc. only] SHARED CONFESSION OF OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH:

[see below]

WE RECEIVE OUR FIRST – FRUITS AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY HYMN: [11 AM service only]

“Create In Me”

LSB # 956

THE RITE OF CONFIRMATION FOR OUR YOUTH

Kristen Jennifer Hahn

John 15:5

Austin Lee Logan

Joshua 1:9

Brittany Lynn Morrison

Matthew 6:33

Destiny Marie Unsworth

Romans 1:16

SHARED CONFESSION OF OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH:

P: Do you this day, in the presence of God and of this congregation, acknowledge the gifts that God has given you in and through your Baptism?

R: YES. P: Do you renounce the devil and all his works and all his ways?

R: I DO RENOUNCE THEM. 7

P: Do you believe in God, the Father Almighty?

R: YES, I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. P: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son? R: YES, I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY SON, OUR LORD, WHO WAS CONCEIVED

BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, BORN OF THE VIRGIN MARY, SUFFERED UNDER PONTIUS PILATE, WAS CRUCIFIED, DIED AND WAS BURIED. HE DESCENDED INTO HELL. THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN FROM THE DEAD. HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND SITS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY. FROM THENCE HE WILL COME TO JUDGE THE LIVING AND THE DEAD. P: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit?

R: YES, I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH, THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, THE RESURRECTION OF THE BODY, AND THE LIFE EVERLASTING. AMEN. CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE FOR OUR NEW CONFIRMED MEMBERS:

P: I now ask each of you, as members of this church, and His Church: Do you receive these people as your very own, promise to uplift them, pray for them, and work with them, building God’s Kingdom here at Faith Lutheran Church together?

C: AS MEMBERS OF THE LORD’S FAMILY, WE WELCOME YOU INTO THE FAMILY OF FAITH HERE. WE RECEIVE YOU AS FELLOW MEMBERS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, GOD’S OWN PEOPLE, TO WORK WITH US HERE IN HIS KINGDOM!

P: (To the new confirmands) Go, now, in the peace of the Lord. Be steadfast, unmoving, remembering that your work in the Lord is never in vain. And may the almighty and most merciful God, the Father, the (+) Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep you all your days here in our midst.

C: AMEN. [both services:] RESPONSIVE PRAYER: (at conclusion of each petition offered by the Pastor:)

P: … let us pray to the Lord.

C: GENTLE SHEPHERD AND LORD, HAVE MERCY. LORD’S PRAYER

[spoken in unison]

[found on the inside back cover of the hymnal]

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SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT [11 AM service only] PRAYER FOR COMMUNICANTS:

(offered by the celebrating pastor)

THE WORDS OF OUR LORD: (words of institution to consecrate the Holy Supper) – Pastor THE PEACE:

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: AND ALSO WITH YOU!

Please be seated.

DISTRIBUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER NOTE: The Confirmands will be brought to the table of the Lord to commune first. For those who wish to join their families at the altar but who, due to a different understanding of the Sacrament or who have chosen not to partake of the sacrament, please feel free to come forward with your families. Please place your hands over your heart so that you may receive a blessing.

HYMNS TO BE SUNG DURING THE LORD’S SUPPER: “Lift High the Cross” “Father Welcomes” “On Galilee’s High Mountain” “To Your Temple, Lord, I Come”

LSB # 837 LSB # 605 LSB # 835

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While Your ministers proclaim Peace and pardon in Your Name, Through their voice, by faith, may I Hear You speaking from the sky.

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CLOSING PRAYER AND BLESSING:

From Your house when I return, May my heart within me burn, And at evening let me say, “I have walked with God today.”

Please STAND as you are able

P: Let us close in prayer together: ALL: LORD GOD, OUR SHEPHERD, YOU GATHER THE LAMBS OF YOUR FLOCK IN THE ARMS OF YOUR MERCY AND BRING THEM HOME. WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR SUSTAINING US IN OUR JOURNEY WITH YOUR WORD AND THE SACRAMENTS THAT WE MAY NOT WANDER OR BECOME PREY TO OUR ENEMIES. COMFORT US WITH THE CERTAIN HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION THAT WE MAY LIVE EACH DAY WITH YOUR ETERNAL JOY AND PEACE; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, NOW AND FOREVER. AMEN.

P: Bless we the Lord.

C: THANKS BE TO GOD. 10

P: The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the [+] Son, and the Holy Spirit rest upon you now and forevermore.

C: AMEN. CLOSING HYMN:

“Go, My Children, with My Blessing”

LSB # 922

P: Go in peace, serve the Lord!

C: THANKS BE TO GOD! NOTE: Feel free to greet and congratulate the confirmands as you leave today.

Those Serving Today: Presiding Minister: Rev. Thomas R. Wenndt, Pastor 8 am service Assisting Elder Duty Elder Acolyte Altar Care Lay Reader Audio Assistant Video Assistant Ushers Flower Angels Fellowship Card Altar flowers

11 am service

Bob Brown / Steve Schoeneck Larry Roach Lamar Miller Emmaline Fowler Joseph Wuest Mary Oles & Mary Donovan Sandi Leenhouts & Debbie Lackey Mel Reinstetle Margret Grosskurth Bob Behnke Mike Muetzel John Schaerffer Bob & Mickie Ferguson and Marian Malmgren, Sue Leader and John & Mel Reinstetle Rich & Sandi Leenhouts Rich & Sandi Leenhouts Rich & Sandi Leenhouts Norm & Sandi Braun Norm & Sandi Braun Given to the glory of God by Frances Smith in memory of her husband, and also in memory of her daughter.

Also given by Rich & Sandi Leenhouts in memory of brother Roger Leenhouts, and Mom Leenhouts’ birthday

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 This Week’s Opportunities to Seek, to Strengthen, and to Serve Sunday, April 26 CONFIRMATION SUNDAY Monday, April 27 Tuesday, April 28 Wednesday, April 29 Friday, May 1 Saturday, May 2 Sunday, May 3

8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am 9:00 am 700 pm 9:00 am 9:00 am 9:00 am 3:00 pm 5:00 pm 8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am

Worship Service Sunday School for all/Youth/Confirmation Worship Service w/Holy Communion Food Pantry Board of Properties meeting Willing Workers Food Pantry Food Pantry Worship & Praise Rehearsal Worship & Praise w/Holy Communion Worship Service w/Holy Communion Sunday School for all/Youth/Confirmation Worship Service

Stewardship Sentence: John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” What does it mean to know the Lord? It starts with being known by the Lord: He claims us as His own and calls us by name. Then, once we are His, we learn to know Him…and in knowing Him we learn to imitate Him. And that is how the Christian life of good works and generosity grows from the Lord’s grace.

A Measure of Our Devotion April 18 & 19, 2015.

Worship Attendance 2015 (Saturday/Sun. 8 & 11worship)

33/59/74

Worship Attendance 2014 (Saturday Sun. 8 & 11worship)

39/71/82

Sunday School/Confirmation/Adult Receipts for April 18 & 19, 2015

8/6/9 $2,708.28

ANNOUNCEMENTS: are due to Carole by noon on Tuesday.

Food Pantry Item for the month of May

Canned Tuna

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 WE WELCOME FAMILIES AND GUESTS as we celebrate "Confirmation Sunday" this morning at the 11:00 am worship service. Those students celebrating their confirmation today are Kristen Jennifer Hahn, Brittany Lynn Morrison, Destiny Marie Unsworth and Austin Lee Logan. May God bless you today and always as you continue your journey in faith.  COME ONE! COME ALL!! To the Christian Life Center to see the display of “years gone by” confirmation class pictures! We are starting from 1975 – 2015. We currently do not have all of them, but you will be amazed with the ones that we do have. Take a stroll down memory lane, and see how much people and styles have changed!   FAITH LADIES GUILD: We hope all our women can join us for this very special meeting on Wednesday, May 6th. Debbie Hagner will be sharing information with us about how to search for our ancestors. This could become a life-long hobby for some of us!

This will be our last meeting until September, and it is the month that we install our new slate of officers. We rejoice that God has placed Rose Wegner (1st Vice President), Mary Cazel (2nd Vice President) and Darlene Cadarette (Secretary) in positions of leadership, for which we are thankful.

As always, our fellowship time will begin at 12:30 followed by our program at 1:00 pm, and then our business meeting.

Our Ladies Guild has been blessed this past year with many wonderful programs and unique projects that have allowed us to reach out to our community. While we may not see some of our “Sisters” as they will be up north for the summer months, we look forward to opportunities to pray for them (traveling mercies) and welcome them back home in the fall months.

Don't forget your donations for the food Pantry and Thank You for the support of this project throughout this past year.  OH NO! IT HAPPENED AGAIN! Fido's dog house is empty! Please help us fill Fido's doghouse with donations of pet food and anything pet related. The doghouse is located in the Christian Life Center and is one of our Sunday School Mission Projects for 2014-2015. Please help if you can. All donations are being given to our local S.P.C.A. We thank you in advance for your assistance in caring for God's furry little friends who desperately need our help.

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