20150503

May 3, 2015

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP: 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

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

Our Mission Statement

Loving Jesus and Making His love known.

website: faithnpr.org 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.

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FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH May 3rd, 2015 Fifth Sunday of Easter 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 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: Today's readings draw our attention to our Baptism and then to our Lord's command to love one another. Whenever we are able to produce such sweet fruit for God it is only because He has lavishly bestowed grace and forgiveness on us. He has pruned us as a faithful gardener would prune the vines of His vineyard. When and where God intervenes with His care, we bear much fruit and give Him the glory. Today we hear the words of Scripture in all of its blessed Law and Gospel.

In response to His Word, we confess our sins, readied to receive His forgiveness for what is past and strengthened for future opportunities to love, to show mercy, and to forgive.

ANNOUNCEMENTS and GREETING OF THE PEACE OPENING HYMN:

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“Christ Is the King!” (Sung to the tune of, “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice and Sing” [‘Gelobt sei Gott’])

Christ is the King! O friends, re – joice; Broth – ers and sis – ters, Oh, mag – ni – fy the Lord, and raise An – thems of joy and Let love’s all – rec – on – cil – ing might Your scat – tered com –pa – So shall the Church at last be one; So shall God’s will on 2

with ho – nies earth

one voice ly praise u – nite be done,

Al – le – lu – ia,

Let For In New

the world know all His saints ser – vice to lamps be lit,

al – le – lu – ia,

He of the new

is your choice. an – cient days.

Lord of light. tasks be – gun.

al – le – lu – ia!

A SERVICE OF WORD AND SACRAMENT INVOCATION and OPENING RESPONSIVE PSALM:

please STAND as you are able

The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their baptism.

P: C: P: LECTERN SIDE: P: PULPIT SIDE: P: LECTERN SIDE: P: PULPIT SIDE: P: LECTERN SIDE: P: PULPIT SIDE: P: LECTERN SIDE: P:

In the Name of the Father and of the [+] Son and of the Holy Spirit.

AMEN. Praise the Lord! Praise God IN HIS SANCTUARY; Praise Him IN HIS MIGHTY HEAVENS! Praise Him FOR HIS MIGHTY DEEDS; Praise Him ACCORDING TO HIS EXCELLENT GREATNESS! Praise Him WITH TRUMPET SOUND; Praise Him WITH LUTE AND HARP! Praise Him WITH TAMBOURINE AND DANCE; Praise Him 3

PULPIT SIDE: P: LECTERN SIDE: P: PULPIT SIDE: P: ALL:

WITH STRINGS AND PIPE! Praise Him WITH SOUNDING CYMBALS; Praise Him WITH LOUD CLASHING CYMBALS! Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

PRAISE THE LORD! [Psalm 150]

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION: P: In today's Gospel we will hear Jesus say, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you." [John 15:1–3] We became "branches" of Jesus the vine, like the Ethiopian in today’s first reading from Acts, through our Baptism. The Holy Spirit has enabled us to hear the Word our Lord speaks.

That Word is His forgiveness, which takes away our sins and makes us fruitful for His purposes. Without such mercy and grace we cannot live as branches of our life-giving Vine.

So let us consider our need for such forgiveness and confess our sins, following a moment of silence.

(Period of silence for reflection on God's Word and for self–examination.)

P: Lord Jesus Christ, living vine: ALL: WE CONFESS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TOO CASUAL IN OUR RELATIONSHIP TO YOU. WE HAVE TAKEN FOR GRANTED YOUR GRACE AND MERCY, POURED OUT ON US IN HOLY BAPTISM. WE HAVE NOT APPRECIATED THE GRAVITY OF OUR SINS, THE SACRIFICE OF YOUR LIFE FOR US, AND THE RICH GRACE WHICH YOU OFFER IN YOUR FULL AND FREE FORGIVENESS. WE HAVE NOT RECOGNIZED OUR HEAVENLY FATHER'S PRUNING AS THE LOVING ACTION IT TRULY IS. BY YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, INCREASE IN US TRUE DEVOTION TO YOUR WILL AND A DESIRE TO BEAR FRUIT WORTHY OF YOUR HOLY NAME. FORGIVE US, RESTORE US, AND SET OUR FEET BACK ON THE PATH OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP. P: In today’s Epistle lesson, St. John writes, "In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. … By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit." [I John 4:10, 13] 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.

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ALL: AMEN. HYMN OF PRAISE:

“Let All Things Now Living

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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: O GOD, YOU MAKE THE MINDS OF YOUR FAITHFUL TO BE OF ONE WILL. GRANT THAT WE MAY LOVE WHAT YOU HAVE COMMANDED AND DESIRE WHAT YOU PROMISE, THAT AMONG THE MANY CHANGES OF THIS WORLD OUR HEARTS MAY BE FIXED WHERE TRUE JOYS ARE FOUND; THROUGH 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] TODAY’S READINGS FROM HOLY SCRIPTURE FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER FIRST LESSON:

Acts 8: 26 – 40, page 1,166

[During the season of Easter, in place of the Old Testament lesson, the first lesson comes to us from the book of Acts] Philip tells an Ethiopian eunuch about the Good News about Jesus [St. Luke writes:] 26Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep He was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opens not his mouth.

33 In His humiliation justice was denied Him. Who can describe His generation?

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For His life is taken away from the earth.”

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the Good News about Jesus. 36And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” 38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the Gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

R: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: THANKS BE TO GOD. EPISTLE LESSON: “GOD IS LOVE!”

I John 4: 1 – 11, page 1,303

(The evangelist writes:) 1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

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. Please STAND as a sign of resurrection hope 7

GOSPEL LESSON:

John 15: 1 – 8, page 1,147 “Jesus is the Vine – we are the branches”

[Jesus said:] 1“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.

2 Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

EASTER RESPONSORY:

P: Sing to the Lord and bless His name, proclaim His salvation from day to day.

C: GIVE TO THE LORD ALL GLORY AND STRENGTH; GIVE HIM THE HONOR DUE HIS NAME. ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA. P: Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first-fruits of them that sleep.

C: GIVE TO THE LORD ALL GLORY AND STRENGTH; GIVE HIM THE HONOR DUE HIS NAME. ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA. P: Glory be to the Father and to the [+] Son and to the Holy Spirit.

C: GIVE TO THE LORD ALL GLORY AND STRENGTH; GIVE HIM THE HONOR DUE HIS NAME. ALLELUIA, ALLELUIA. CONFESSION OF OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH:

Apostles’ Creed

ALL: I BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER ALMIGHTY, MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. AND 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. 8

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. Please be seated SERMON HYMN: “This Is My Father’s World”

1. This 2. This 3. This

is is is

my Fa – ther’s world, And to my lis – t’ning ears All my Fa – ther’s world, The birds their car – ols raise; The my Fa – ther’s world, Oh, let me not for – get That,

na – ture sings, and round me rings The mu – sic of the spheres. morn – ing light, the lil – y white, De – clare their mak – er’s praise. though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the rul – er yet.

This This This

is my Fa – ther’s world; is my Fa – ther’s world; is my Fa – ther’s world;

I rest me in the thought Of He shines in all that’s fair. In–th’ Why should my heart be sad? The

Rocks and trees, of… skies and seas; His hand the won – ders wrought.

Rust – ling grass I… hear Him pass; He speaks to me ev – ‘ry – where.

Lord is king, let the heav – ens ring; God reigns, let–th’ earth be glad!

SERMON: “A Father’s Love” – Pastor Wenndt, based on I John 4:7–11.

INSTALLATION OF ALL 2015 OFFICERS 9

WE RECEIVE OUR FIRST – FRUITS AND OFFERINGS OFFERTORY HYMN: “God, Whose Giving Knows No Ending” sung to the tune of, ‘Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee’ [“Hymn to Joy”]

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God, whose giv–ing knows no end–ing, From Your rich and end – less store: Trea – sure, too, you have en–trust–ed, Gain through pow’rs Your grace con–ferred;

Na – ture’s won–der, Je – sus’ wis – dom, Cost – ly cross, grave’s shat–tered door, Ours to use for home and kin – dred, And to spread the Gos – pel Word.

Gift – ed by You, we turn to You, Of – f’ring up our–selves in praise; Op – en wide our hands in shar–ing, As we heed Christ’s age–less call,

Thank – ful song shall rise for – ev – er, Gra – cious don – or of our days.

Heal – ing, teach – ing, and re–claim–ing, Serv – ing You by lov – ing all.

RESPONSIVE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH:

Please STAND as you are able

(at conclusion of each petition offered by the pastor:)

P: … Lord, in Your mercy, C: ABIDE IN US, AND HEAR OUR PRAYER. LORD’S PRAYER

[spoken in unison] [found on the inside back cover of the hymnal] SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT

PRAYER FOR COMMUNICANTS:

[8 AM Service Only] (offered by the celebrating pastor)

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THE WORDS OF OUR LORD: (Words of Institution to consecrate the Holy Supper) – 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 HYMNS TO BE SUNG DURING HOLY COMMUNION: “Lift High the Cross” “Father Welcomes All His Children” “To Your Temple, Lord, I Come”

LSB # 837 LSB # 605 LSB #891

[11 AM Service Resumes Here] CLOSING PRAYER AND BENEDICTION:

Please STAND as you are able

P: Let us pray together: ALL: WE GIVE THANKS, HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT YOU HAVE STRENGTHENED OUR FAITH THROUGH WORD AND SACRAMENT THIS DAY. GO WITH US NOW SO THAT WE MAY LIVE OUT THIS DAY AS FRUITFUL BRANCHES OF THE VINE, YOUR SON, 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! P: May God the Father, who in grace created you and all things; may God the [+] Son, who by His sacrifice made forgiveness available to you; may God the Holy Spirit, who worked faith in your hearts to be able to call Jesus Lord – bless you and keep you this day and always.

C: AMEN. AMEN.

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HYMN OF DEPARTURE: “Hosanna to the Living Lord” sung to the tune of, “From Heaven Above to Earth I Come” [‘Vom Himmel hoch’]

∆ 5. To God the Father, God the Son, And God the Spirit, [+] Three in One, Be honor, praise and glory giv’n By all on earth and all in heav’n.

P: Go in peace, serve the Lord!

C: THANKS BE TO GOD!

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Those Serving Today: Presiding Minister: Rev. Thomas R. Wenndt, Pastor 8 am service

11 am service

Assisting Elder

Bob Brown

Duty Elder

Larry Roach

Lamar Miller

Acolyte

Kristen Hahn

Madison Vozdecky

Altar Care

Freda Steinke & Mary Oles

Marti Curran & June Svensson

Lay Reader

Yvonne Burkee

Steve Schoeneck

Audio Assistant

Keith Allard

Rose Wegner

Video Assistant

Tim & Yvonne Burkee

Barbara Hahn

Ushers

Norm Braun, Barb Goodhue, Kathy Hoback & Betty Holland

Frances Smith, Jack Greenlee, Steve & Mary Schoeneck

Flower Angels

Rich & Sandi Leenhouts

Rich & Sandi Leenhouts

Stewardship Sentence: JOHN 15:2: “Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” God is interested in the fruit that we bear in good works, and He even prunes us so that we may bring forth more fruit. Trusting in our Lord’s work for us, being grafted by grace into His vine, we desire to be more like Him, to grow into His image. That’s growth in fruit bearing…and it always comes with some pruning.  A Measure of Our Devotion April 25 & 26, 2015 Worship Attendance 2015 (Sat./Sun. 8 & 11worship)

36/54/125

Worship Attendance 2014 (Sat./Sun. 8 & 11worship)

33/63/85

Confirmation/Sunday School/Adult Bible Study Receipts for April 25 & 26, 2015

5/9/10 $3,220.00

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 This Week’s Opportunities to Seek, to Strengthen, and to Serve Sunday, May 3

8:00 am 9:30 am 11:00 am

Monday, May 4

Wednesday, May 6

9:00 am 7:00 pm 7:00 pm 9:00 am 10:30 am 12:30 pm

Thursday, May 7 Friday, May 8 Saturday, May 9

Sunday, May 10

6:30 pm 9:00 am 11:00 pm 3:00 pm 5:00 pm 7:30 pm 8:00 am 8:45-10:45 am

Mother’s Day Blood Pressure Checks

9:30 am 11:00 am

Worship Service w/Holy Communion Sunday School/ Confirmation/Adult Study Worship Service w/Installation of 2015 Officers Food Pantry Board of Elders Board of Christian Education Food Pantry Ladies Guild Executive Committee Ladies Guild Business Meeting with Installation of 2015 Officers AA / NA meeting in GSH Food Pantry AA / NA meeting in GSH Worship & Praise Rehearsal Worship & Praise w/Holy Communion Faith Factor at the Oasis Coffee Spot Worship Service Faith Family Fellowship Sunday School/ Confirmation/Adult Study Worship Service w/Holy Communion

 CAMP DISCOVERY: VBS is right around the corner, June 15-19, 2015, and we have a great group of volunteers already on board. But we still need someone to head up our games. If you have any questions, please feel free to email John Schaerffer at jrschaerffer@yahoo.com.  FAITH’S FAMILY FELLOWSHIP: Please join us next Sunday in Narthex II from 8:45 am until 10:45 am for Faith's Family Fellowship. Enjoy a sweet treat, cup of coffee or a cool beverage and just "mingle" for a little while. It's all free and everyone is invited to attend. Bring a friend! Sponsored by, and our thanks to our Christians In Action class.

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 FAITH LADIES GUILD: We hope all our women can join us for this very special meeting this 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.  MAY 9TH AT THE OASIS: Our very own Faith Factor Praise Team will be appearing at the Oasis Coffee Spot on Saturday, May 9th at 7:30 pm. In addition to playing all their regular they will be doing a Gospel Set and a Sunday School song set along with some surprises. The Oasis is a Christian coffee house located at the corner of Little and Embassy in the Regency Square Plaza shopping center. In addition to some good music, you can enjoy their wonderful beverages and sandwiches and desserts. Mark your calendars, and see you then!

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