THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

February 14th, 2016 A.D.The First Sunday in Lent

The Rev. Rudolph M. Schneider, Pastor Emeritus

333 North Main Street • Manahawkin, NJ 08050

Phone: (609) 597-2696Church E-mail: LCHSoffice@verizon.net

Website: www.holyspiritnj.orgThe Rev. Philip H. Harkey, S.T.S., Pastor

In case of emergency please call the Church Officeor Pastor Phil at (706) 372-2393

Announcements forFebruary 14th, 2016 A.D.

The Lutheran Church of the Holy SpiritManahawkin, NJ

NEXT ALF - ALF (Adult Luncheon Fellowship) is a time of fellowship over a delicious meal, plus an interesting and informative program. ALF will hold their next gathering on Thursday, March 17th from 12 noon to 2 pm. Our menu will be corned beef and cabbage and our speaker will be Patty Penn who will tell us about 30 minute meals. ALF is open to all, so invite a friend. A good will offering will be taken. Please sign up and don’t miss out!

WORSHIP PREPARATION: We are asking our worshippers to greet and talk with friends prior to entering the sanctuary at the beginning of the ser-vice. Once entering the sanctuary, people deserve quiet in order to prepare themselves for worship. Thank you.COFFEE/BAGEL FELLOWSHIP - Everyone is welcome to join us for refreshments following the service in rooms 11-12 (located down the hallway to the left). Help is always appreciated so if you would like to bring some baked goods or if you are able to help with the setup/clean up please speak to Pastor.

CALENDARS - The 2016 Christian Family Appointment Calendars have arrived. They can be found near the main and front entrances. Please feel free to take more than one.

PASTORAL NEEDS - If you are in need of any pastoral care, please call the church office or Pastor Phil (706-372-2393).

MOVIE NIGHT - Sunday, Feb. 28th from 5 to 8 pm. Our feature presentation will be War Room which is a powerful Christian movie which will be followed with a discussion period. Movie snacks will be provided and a free will offering will be taken. Most appropriate for ages 10 and up. Please let the office know if you need childcare. All are welcome so please bring a friend!

TODAY is Valentine’s Day. Take a minute and make someone your valentine. Drop them a note, send a card or just give them a call. There are lots of lonely people who would be so happy to hear from you!

SOUP AND BREAD - On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm we will have Soup & Bread followed by Dessert with a Mid-Week Lenten Bible Study titled “Parables of Lent” at 7 pm. All are welcome to join us. If you would like to bring something, please contact Ingie in the church office.

THE OPEN DOOR PREGNANCY CENTER - Please welcome Carol Tirondola from Open Door Pregnancy. She is here to explain the Baby Bottle Campaign. Please consider investing in the work God is doing at this center by participating in the Baby Bottle campaign which is currently underway. Just grab a bottle off the display in the hallway, fill it as God leads you and return it back to the church at any time but no later than February 21st. Please place your returned bottles in the basket on the display table. Thank you!

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING GIFTS FOR EASTER PLANTS and DECORATIONS. Gifts may be in any amount and may be given in honor, in memory of or as a gift. Please place your gift in the specially marked white envelope “Easter Flowers and Decorations” available by the Flower Chart in the hallway. Thank you.

WELCOME We welcome you in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Whether you are a newcomer to the community or to our church, we are honored to have you here. We hope that our worship time together will be meaningful to you and bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. We are asking EVERYONE

to please fill out a pink attendance form (found in the pew rack) and place it in the offering plate during the offering. Thank you. A friendly reminder ... please remember to silence your cell phone.

SONG OF PREPARATION (Please remain seated)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

These forty days called Lent are like no other. It is our opportune time to return to the God who rescues; to receive the gifts of God’s grace; to believe with the heart and confess with the mouth the wonder of God’s love in Jesus; and to resist temptation at every turn. This is no small pilgrimage on which we have just embarked. It is a struggle Jesus knew. It is a struggle Jesus shares. The nearness of the Lord, in bread and wine, water and word, will uphold and sustain us.

WELCOME

Only by grace can we enter, only by grace can we stand,Not by our human endeavor, but by the blood of the Lamb;Into your presence You call us, You call us to come,Into your presence, You draw us and now by your grace we come.Now by your grace we come.

Lord, if you mark our transgressions, Who would stand?Thanks to your grace we are cleansed,By the blood of the Lamb. ©1989 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music, CCLI#406483

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS (Please stand if able)P: In the name of the Father, and of the U Son, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.C: Amen.P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and one another.

~ Brief silence for reflection and meditation (please kneel) ~

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SHARING THE PEACE The presiding minister and the assembly greet each other in the name of the Lord. (Please stand if able) P: Sisters and brothers, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace. The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: And also with you. P: Let us share a sign of God’s peace. OPENING HYMN - (Please stand if able)

GREETING (please stand if able)P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.C: And also with you.

LBW #403 - “Lord, Speak to Us That We May Speak”

PRAYER OF THE DAY P: O Lord God, you led your people through the wilderness and brought them to the promised land. Guide us now, so that, following your Son, we may walk safely through the wilderness of this world toward the life you alone can give, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen.

THE SCRIPTURE LESSONS

The Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (Page 1,145 in pew Bible)Deacon: Word of God! Word of life! Response - “Thanks be to God!”

The First Reading - Joshua 5:9-12 (Page 211 in the pew Bible)Deacon: Word of God! Word of life! Response - “Thanks be to God!”

P: Most merciful God,C: We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.P: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the USon, and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.

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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION - Sung (Please stand if able)

The Holy Gospel - Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32(Page 1,035 in the pew Bible)Before the reading:P: The Holy Gospel according to Luke, the 15th Chapter beginning at the 1st verse.C: Glory to You, O Lord.

Following the reading:P: The Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ.

SERMON (Please be seated.)

HYMN OF THE DAY- (Please stand if able)

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses;And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.

CHORUS: And He walks with me, And He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voiceIs so sweet the birds hush their singing;And the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.CHORUS

I'd stay in the garden with Him tho' the night around me be falling;But He bids me go, thro' the voice of woe; His voice to me is calling.CHORUS CCLI#406483

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THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCHResponse - “Pour out Your Spirit upon us.”

OFFERING - The gifts of the Lord are gathered. (Please be seated.)

THE OFFERTORY HYMN (Please stand if able)

APOSTLES’ CREED (Page 65 in LBW) (Please stand)C: L I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

OFFERTORY PRAYER (Please stand if able)P: God our provider, you have not fed us with bread alone, but with words of grace and life. Bless us and these your gifts, which we receive from your bounty, through Jesus Christ our Lord.C: Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVINGDialogue (Please stand if able)P: The Lord be with you!C: AND ALSO WITH YOU!P: Lift up your hearts!C: WE LIFT THEM TO THE LORD!P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!C: IT IS RIGHT TO GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost! Amen. CCLI#406483

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THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ. You call your people to cleanse their hearts and prepare with joy for the paschal feast, that, renewed in the gift of baptism, we may come to the fullness of your grace. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlastingand your faithfulness endures from age to age.Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.Praise to you for leading your people through the wildernessto the land of milk and honey.Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.

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INVITATION TO COMMUNION (Please stand if able)P: All who thirst, all who hunger, come and be filled with the goodness of God.

THE LORD’S PRAYER (Please stand if able)P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us ....C: Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

HOLY COMMUNION (Please be seated) All baptized Christians who believe that He is present in the meal to for-give and renew life are welcome to His table. Children who do not receive are invited to come with their families to receive a blessing. The wine is admin-istered by the individual glass or the common cup. Grape juice is also available. Receive the Lord’s Supper in the manner most meaningful to you. Please come forward as directed by the ushers and return to the pew by the side aisles. Persons unable to come to the table should speak with an usher and the communion will be brought to your seat. Please sign a communion card found in the pew and give it to the usher as you come forward.

P: 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.”P: With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.P: O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.C: Come, Holy Spirit.P: Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.C: Come, Holy Spirit.P: With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever.C: Amen.

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Jesus, Name above all names, Hear our prayer, Lord, make us whole;

During Communion please join us in singing the following hymns:

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* * * * *Create in me a clean heart, O God And renew a right spirit within me (Repeat)Cast me not away from Thy presence, Oh, LordAnd take not Thy Holy Spirit from me Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvationAnd renew a right spirit within me. CCLI #406483

Chorus: I come to the cross seeking mercy and grace I come to the cross where You died in my place Out of my weakness and into Your strength Humbly I come to the cross

1. Your arms are open, You call me by name You welcome this child that was lost You paid the price for my guilt and my shame Jesus I come Jesus I come Jesus I come to the cross CHORUS

Bill Batstone | Bob Somma, ©1996 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.), CCLI#406483

White as snow white as snowThough my sins were as scarletLord I know Lord I knowThat I’m clean and forgiven

Chorus 1: Through the power of Your blood Through the wonder of Your love Through faith in You I know That I can be white as snow

© 1990 Sound Truth Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.), CCLI#406483

When the Father sent His son, to live with us, our lives to mend.Placed His love upon the altar, that with Him we might ascend.

CHORUSAll that I can do is thank Him, All that I can do is pray.All that I can do is lift my hands, To sing His praise.

Lord, the blessed life You give me, and the holy road You choose.Lead me all the way to Calvary, and I’ll only follow You. CHORUS

Lord, I only want Your blessings, while I’m sitting at Your feet. Nothing in this world can woo me, from Your holy seat. CHORUS

©1974 Lionof Judah Music of Benson Music Group, Inc. CCLI#406483

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1. Christ is risen! Alleluia! Risen our victorious head!

Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.

TABLE BLESSING (Please stand if able)P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in His grace.C: Amen.

POST COMMUNION PRAYER (Please stand if able)P: O God, we thank you for gathering and feeding us as a mother hen embraces her young. Release us now to go on our way in these forty days, ready to see our work as prayer, ready to fast from complacency, and ready to share with those in need; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.C: Amen.

LBW #343 - “Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer”

BLESSING (Please stand if able)P: The love of God who created you, the mercy of Jesus Christ who died for you, and the power of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you, keep you at one with all the faithful, living and departed, and remain with you now and forever.C: Amen.

SENDING HYMN (Please stand if able)

COMMISSIONING

Copyright ©2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permssion under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS028808.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS IN ROOMS 11-12ALL ARE WELCOME! (Located down the hallway to the left)

D: Go in peace. Remember the poor.C: Thanks be to God!

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Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

MONTHLY BULLETINS - we have many months still available for 2016. Please sign up on the chart in the hallway, located on the left side of the bulletin board. The cost is $25.00 per month.

THIS WEEK’S BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES: 2/16 - Gary & Vivian Altbrandt 2/17 - Jordon Humphreys; 2/18 - Edna Ruff; 2/22 - Terry VonSpreckelsen.

THE BULLETINS for the month of February are given by Ben and Ingie Gilluly in honor of their daughter, Emily, on her 20th birthday and also in memory of Ingie’s grandfather, Ejlif Kjems and Ben’s mom, Viola, celebrating their birthday’s in heaven and the anniversary of the passing of Ingie’s uncle, Ejvind Kjems.

THE FLOWERS on the altar table are given to the Glory of God by Michelle Graham in memory of Anna and Susan Poet. Following our worship service today, these flowers will be delivered to our sick and shut-in by our Altar Flower Ministry. (Please see the sign up chart in the hallway. We have many openings.)

In Luke’s gospel, the story of Jesus’ temptation comes immediately after his bap-tism and a lengthy listing of his ancestors. Both help confirm the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. Now Jesus is led into the wilderness, where his iden-tity is put to the test by the devil. The specific temptations are in some ways secondary to the question that introduces two of them. Twice the devil asks, “If you are the Son of God . . .” (Luke 4:3, 9), perhaps implying that the devil believes he knows better than Jesus what it means to be God’s Son. But Jesus, “full of the Holy Spirit,” is able to stand firm in his identity and deny the devil’s attempts to redefine who he is.

In our baptisms, we too are given the identity of God’s child, and we are given the presence of the Holy Spirit. Our baptisms do not protect us from temptation, even as Jesus himself endured temptation. However, in our baptisms we are given an identity that can help us endure the temptations and the challenges that our lives are bound to include. Baptism gives us the confidence to trust that our identity is defined by our relationship to God, and not by anything else. In this confidence, we can accept our failures and shortcomings and live boldly in a manner that seeks to emulate Christ’s own life.

HOUSEKEEPING POSITION AVAILABLE - Anyone who might be interested in the part time housekeeping position cleaning the church building, or know of anyone who may be interested, please speak with Pastor Phil or Steve Manger.

THIS WEEK AT HOLY SPIRIT February 14th - 22nd, 2016 A.D.

SUN. 2/14 THE FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT 9:30 am Worship Service w/Communion (Nursery provided) Sunday Church School (ages 3 to 6th grade) 6:00 pm Youth GroupMON. 2/15 10:00 am Alanon 1:30-2:30 pm Fitness Friends 7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 7:30 pm AATUE. 2/16 7:00 pm Alanon 7:00 pm AA 7:00 pm Bethel Spanish Pentecostal ChurchWED. 2/17 1:30-2:30 pm Fitness Friends 5:30 & 7 pm Nursing Support Group 6:00 pm Lenten Soup and Bread followed by Bible StudyTHUR. 2/18 10:00 am Bible Study 7:00 pm Bible Study 7:30 pm AAFRI. 2/19 1:30 pm Fitness Friends 6:30 pm 50th Committee Meeting 7:00 pm Reform Jewish CommunitySAT. 2/20 9:00 am Council Retreat at Zion SUN. 2/21 THE SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT 9:30 am Worship Service w/Communion (Nursery provided) Sunday Church School (ages 3 to 6th grade) 6:00 pm Youth GroupMON. 2/22 10:00 am Alanon 1:30-2:30 pm Fitness Friends 5:00 pm Hebrew School 7:00 pm Boy Scout Troop 7:30 pm AA

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Mon.-Thurs. 9 am - 3 pm; Fri. 9 am to 12 NoonChurch Phone: (609) 597-2696 • Church Secretary - Mrs. Ingie GillulyThe Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit is a member congregation of the NJ Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

~ CYNTHIA BAMBERGER (Daughter-in-law of Yvonne & Bruce) ~ MARGE BETZ~ HOPE DOLAN (Friend of Maggie Damone)~ ANNALIESE GLUSA~ EVELYN EMMETS (c/o Mystic Meadows, Room #316, 151 Ninth Ave., Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087)~ RUTH FERGUSON~ MIKE GREENE (Grandson of Ruth Ann Ryan)~ BECKY HARKEY

Due to space limitations, please check your church directory for addresses

PRAYER LIST FOR THIS WEEK~ COLLEEN HADDON (c/o Debbie Bonner, 6 Gaylord Lane, Marlton, NJ 08053)~ GINNI HERR (Friend of Joan Harrison)~ BARBARA KRAUSE (Friend of Amy Cappetta)~ MARGE MARTIN (Friend of Denise Davis)~ JOE & SINTA MARTYN and their baby boy, Joey~ THE OPAUSKI FAMILY~ LORRAINE WOHLERT (Mother of Linda Benitz)