2

Bethany Lutheran Church

Long Beach, California (562) 421-4711

19th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST + + + OCTOBER 11, 2020

+ God Gathers Us In His Presence + WELCOME CALL TO WORSHIP: (based on Philippians 1:2, 11 & 27) Leader: Lord Jesus, as we come into your presence this morning, People: fill us with your grace and peace. Leader: Lord, as we hear your Word today, People: work in us the fruit of righteousness by Your Spirit. Leader: Lord, as we come together as one body, lifting our prayers and praises to you, People: cause us to stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. INVOCATION:

Leader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. People: Amen.

3

OPENING HYMN: “Sing”

4

5

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS: (based on Philippians 4)

Leader: The Lord, through the Apostle Paul, calls us to rejoice in every circumstance and to be considerate in all we do; People: I confess that I have not rejoiced in every circumstance. I confess that I have not always been considerate to others around me, or even myself. Leader: He calls us to not worry about anything, rather, instead, pray about everything. People: I confess that, rather than entrusting You with all the worries and concerns of my life, I have allowed worry and anxiety to creep into my life and, on occasion, even rule my life. Leader: He calls us to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. People: I confess that I have not always fixed my thoughts on those things. Instead, I have allowed myself to focus on the complete opposite. Leader: Brothers and sisters in Christ, the Lord has supplied for all our needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus, including our forgiveness and salvation. Through faith in Jesus Christ your sins, and mine, are forgiven. People: Amen.

+ God Gives Us the Gift of His Word + FIRST SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:4b-12

If anyone else thinks that he can trust in something physical, I can claim even more. I was circumcised on the eighth day. I’m a descendant of Israel. I’m from the tribe of Benjamin. I’m a pure-blooded Hebrew. When it comes to following Jewish laws, I was a Pharisee. When it comes to being enthusiastic, I was a persecutor of the church. When it comes to winning God’s approval by obeying Jewish laws, I was perfect. These things that I once considered valuable, I now consider worthless for Christ. It’s far more than that! I consider everything else worthless because I’m much better off knowing

6

Christ Jesus my Lord. It’s because of Him that I think of everything as worthless. I threw it all away in order to gain Christ and to have a relationship with Him. This means that I didn’t receive God’s approval by obeying His laws. The opposite is true! I have God’s approval through faith in Christ. This is the approval that comes from God and is based on faith that knows Christ. Faith knows the power that His coming back to life gives and what it means to share His suffering. In this way I’m becoming like Him in His death, with the confidence that I’ll come back to life from the dead.

It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. – GW® SONG OF PRAISE “I Am The Resurrection” Kayleigh Lopez & Pastor Seth CHILDREN'S MESSAGE SECOND SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:1-14

Again Jesus used stories as illustrations when He spoke to them. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who planned a wedding for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the wedding, but they refused to come. He sent other servants to tell the people who had been invited, ‘I’ve prepared dinner. My bulls and fattened calves have been butchered. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’

“But they paid no attention and went away. Some went to work in their own fields, and others went to their businesses. The rest grabbed the king’s servants, mistreated them, and then killed them.“The king became angry. He sent his soldiers, killed those murderers, and burned their city.

“Then the king said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited don’t deserve the honor. Go where the roads leave the city. Invite everyone you find to the wedding.’ The servants went into the streets and brought in all the good people and all the evil people they found. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

“When the king came to see the guests, he saw a person who was not dressed in the wedding clothes provided for the guests. He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without proper wedding clothes?’

“The man had nothing to say. Then the king told his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet, and throw him outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’

“Therefore, many are invited, but few of those are chosen to stay.” – GW®

7

+ We Give Thanks for God’s Word + OFFERING: If you so desire, Text Giving is now available.

Text GIVE to 562-210-0463. Thank you!

“The gifts you sent were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.” ~ (based on Philippians 4:18-20)

VOLUNTARY: “Hear Us, Father, When We Pray” LSB 773

8

PRAYER OF THE DAY AND PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH:

Leader: So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. (based on Philippians 1:9-11) Until that day Lord we pray for those who are hurting, mourning, and struggling, so we lift up… We also pray for those who are celebrating gifts of joy that serve as glimpses of heaven on earth, so we lift up… And until we see You face to face in the kingdom without end, we join together in that prayer You have taught us to pray… People: Our Father... APOSTLE’S CREED:

(* catholic means the universal Christian Church)

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.

9

MESSAGE: “Keeping the Primary Thing the Primary Thing” Text: Philippians 3:4b-12

+ God Sends Us Forth for Lives of Love and Service + THE SENDING:

Leader: My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God. Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves. (based on Philippians 4:1, 23) People: Amen! CLOSING HYMN: “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” LSB 425

+ + + + + +

10

COPYRIGHT PERMISSIONS:

Liturgy (or the appropriate portion thereof) from Lutheran Service Book ©2006 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. License #000012696 “Sing” CCLI# 7064066. Blake Flattley. ©2015 There Will Be Rest (Admin. by Blake Flattley Music) For use solely with the SongSelect Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com CCLI License # 396555 “Hear Us, Father, When We Pray” LSB 773 Text: Chad L. Bird, b. 1970. Tune: Geist-reiches Gesang-Buch, Halle, 1704, ed. Johann A. Freylinghaussen; Arr. Blake Flatley. Text: © Chad L. Bird; Used by permission: Reprinted Under LSB Hymn License no. 110000420. Tune: Public domain “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” LSB 425 Text: Isaac Watts, 1674-1748. Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872. Text and Music: Public domain. SERVING GOD’S HOUSE TODAY: Children's Message... Kayleigh Lopez Worship Leader/Guitar... Blake Flattley Preacher... Pastor Seth Moorman

ARE YOU RECEIVING THE BETHANY BULLET? If you would like to receive the Bethany Bullet please email Aimee Coleman (acoleman@bethanylutheran.org) with your name and email address. The Bethany Bullet is a weekly capsule of worship highlights and big information that your brain may or may not have 'downloaded' from the prior Sunday. The purpose is to bolster you in faith, build you up in the key Biblical themes shared the previous Sunday in worship, to bring to mind the important issues on Bethany's plate and to broaden your awareness of opportunities of service to your Lord, your church, and your community. Tell a friend about the Bethany Bullet!

THE BETHANY BLUEPRINT

Having been called to Faith in Christ, moved by the love of God the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the members of Bethany Lutheran Church are committed to:

Worshiping Faithfully (Acts 2:42, 46) Forming Spiritually (Colossians 1:10-14)

Serving Passionately (Ephesians 2:10) Giving Proportionately (Luke 21:1-4)

Sharing Intentionally (Matthew 28:19-20)

11

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK

Pastor Paul Jacob Joe Stok Don Baldwin Ron Miner Kathleen Totten Evelyn Rucks June Stewart

Mary Mendez Levi Rose Jean Barton Daniel Avila

OUR CHRISTIAN LOVE AND SYMPATHY to Michele and Wayne Harvey, family and friends for the passing of their beloved daughter, Greta Harvey-Falkner, who lived in Arkansas. Greta went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 27, 2020. A Celebration of Life was held yesterday, October 10th at Sylvan Hills First Baptist Church in Sherwood, Arkansas.

The family has requested that you join them in prayer:

Heavenly Father, Please keep and carry these precious people in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes, so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven. Lord, on the day of Greta's service, please keep the rain away and pour out Your sunshine on this dear family. They need You, Lord Jesus, through this very difficult time. Also, dear Lord, please keep everyone that attends the service, family & friends, safe and protected from the Covid 19 virus. In Jesus' caring name we pray. Amen. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ~ Isaiah: 41:10, 13

WORSHIPING FAITHFULLY: Hebrews 10:25

FALL WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Until further notice, All Sunday Services will be held on the grassy Field at 8:00 & 9:30 AM.

WEEKLY CHIMES THE PARISH LIFE OF BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH

4644 CLARK AVENUE, LONG BEACH, CA 90808 562-421-4711

www.bethanylutheran.org

WEEK OF OCTOBER 11 – 18, 2020

12

FORMING SPIRITUALLY: Colossians 1:10-14

COUCH CONVERSATIONS: Take some time this week with your family, or on your own to have some conversations about our text and theme for worship. Perhaps you can do this on the couch right after the last song or later around the dinner table. You could even use them to have conversations in the car. We hope that these conversations will help you as you continue to be formed spiritually. When you hear the word "rubbish" or "worthless" in the text, what Paul actually wrote is "poop." If you have a pet or a family member who wears a diaper than you know what poop is icky.

• What do you think Paul means when he says that even the great stuff in life if poopy compared to Jesus?

• What are the things that you boast or brag about? • What does it mean to boast about Jesus?

S’MORES STORIES

Wednesday, October 14th at 7:00 PM! Join us on Facebook Live to sing songs, hear a story,

pray, and get s'more Jesus at the end of the day. This event is for all ages but kids are going to love it.

Follow the Bethany Lutheran Page at – https://www.facebook.com/Bethany.Long.Beach/

WORSHIP GATHERING POSTPONMENT:

***PLEASE NOTE: The 4:00 PM Sunday worship service that was to be held in Friendship Square WILL NOT begin

13

TODAY as previously advertised, but has been postponed until after the new year. Please watch for a new beginning date. THEOLOGY ON TAP:

Grab yourself a cold beer, warm glass of milk or hot cup of tea, pull up a chair and join the ministry staff of Bethany Lutheran for theology on tap, a round table conversation. Get ready for a lively discussion of theology, spirituality and sharing life together as

followers of Christ. Listen to the podcast or join us live for our weekly recording on zoom on Thursday nights at 8:00 PM beginning October 8th.

Email Pastor Seth (smoorman@bethanylutheran.org) for the zoom link and more information. We look forward to seeing you there.

SERVING PASSIONATELY: Ephesians 2:10

SHARING THE FAITH EVENT

We know that we are experiencing a time of upheaval and change greater than any in recent memory. Issues like a global pandemic, social unrest, and deeply polarizing politics are placing a heavy burden on churches, their leaders and members to respond faithfully. This often can lead to an increasingly inward focus or even ministry paralysis when it comes to meeting community needs with the mission of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Tod Bolsinger, author of the popular book, Canoeing the Mountains, defines the type of leadership necessary for this uncharted territory as “energizing a community of people toward their own transformation in order to accomplish a shared mission in the face of a changing world.”

Join Dr. Bolsinger and an amazing group of leaders at Mission West, an online Mission Conference Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is offered FREE of charge but you need to register in advance to have access to the live stream.

It’s our prayer to host a socially distanced gathering (as local regulations allow) at Bethany on this date as we engage real issues of public health, social justice, and Government interaction with innovative and missional responses. Through this event we pray that the Holy Spirit would lead Bethany to new avenues of ministry and ways in which we can share the love of Jesus with our community.

Register online at - https://www.psd-lcms.org/missionwest

More information will be announced as soon as it’s available regarding an on campus gathering. If this proves to be impossible, we encourage you to participate in this conference online.

14

GIVING PROPORTIONATELY: Luke 21:1-4

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE

Bethany Lutheran Church has three endowment funds that enable our members to give proportionately throughout life and even at life’s end; these endowment funds help Bethany to fund ministry here and now, for the long term.

ENDOWMENT FUND DESCRIPTIONS

BETHANY LUTHERAN SCHOOL ENDOWMENT FUND: Gifts to this fund will be used for the betterment of Bethany Lutheran School, which is an integral ministry that provides faith-based education for students from preschool to the eighth grade. These gifts are not restricted, and, for example may be used for capital improvements, technology upgrades, as well as enhancements to the student experience deemed worthwhile. Gifts to this fund may also be used to fund student scholarships.

BETHANY PROPERTY MAINTENANCE & ACQUISITION ENDOWMENT FUND: Gifts to this fund may be used for any property maintenance need. In addition, assets may also be used to purchase real property and/or fixed assets that are believed will further Bethany’s commitment to the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20), as well as the clearly stated mission of our congregation as spelled out in “The Bethany Blueprint.”

BETHANY UNDESIGNATED ENDOWMENT FUND: Gifts to this fund will be intentionally undesignated, in order to provide for flexibility. Potential uses may include (but are not limited to) -- unusual circumstances, non-budgeted items of need, disasters, unforeseen crises, and/or the funding of opportunities to grow and expand ministries.

FREE FOR THE TAKING...

The blue "With One Voice" hymnals that used to be in the church pews are now available to those that would like a FREE copy. Some hymnals were dedicated by members and have been alphabetized for you to look through for your special family hymnal. If you are interested in taking home a hymnal, please come to the church office and pick up as many as you would like. They are on a first come, first serve basis. Questions? Call Cindy Morrison in the Church Office at 562-421-4711 or email her at cmorrison@bethanylutheran.org

15

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Act 2:44

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Until further notice, the Church Office will be open: Monday – Thursday from 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM noon. Closed Fridays.

ENCOURAGING PRAYER PRIOR

TO THE 2020 ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 3rd

The Pre-service Prayer Guide used by those who gather by telephone to pray before service has this one suggestion. “Lord, we ask for Your protection of America’s 2020 Election process against both foreign and domestic interference. Allow votes to be accurately counted without hindrance or impropriety. Encourage Americans to research items on the ballot besides the presidential candidates.” The Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty wrote that “We need to be well-versed in knowing God’s preserving work in our communities, our country and even the world. That work is ultimately for the sake of the clear, continued public teaching of the Good News of Jesus for all.” Let us vote. We all have received ballots. Do read instructions, complete all fields and meet the deadlines, if you are mailing your ballot. (As of 10/25/20, 2,105,553 mail-in ballots have been cast in the nation per Associated Press.) Questions can be answered at LAVote.net or OCVote.net. These sites will also inform you of voting centers, if you desire to vote in person. Resource for information on candidates and issues Election Forum 2020 by Craig Huey at www.electionforum.org. ~ Community Impact Committee

16

We Give Him But His Own

At Bethany we know that “our stuff is not our stuff!” All that we have, all that we are, is a gift from Him. We also know that giving is a spirit-given compulsion. For Jesus Christ, in whose likeness we are being transformed daily, is the ultimate giver. Your gifts fund ministry that give people Jesus. His words, His promises, His presence, His gifts, His comfort, His strength are given through the gifts you are now giving Him. We thank and honor you for these gifts, because they thank and honor Him!

There are multiple ways to give to Bethany Lutheran Church including: • Giving Online • Text to Give • Online Bill-Pay, US Mail, Offering Basket

Please see the GIVING link on Bethany’s website for more information on how to make your offering. Click HERE to go to the GIVING webpage.

If you need further assistance contact Maraley Shaeffer, Financial Administrator at mshaeffer@bethanylutheran.org.