September 4, 2016

WELCOME! We welcome youto St. John's in

the name of the Father, Son andHoly Spirit. In name the of theFather, our Creator andpreserver, whose great love forus caused Him to send His onlySon to be offered upon a tree forour eternal redemption. In thename of *Jesus Christ, ourSavior, who willingly sufferedand died for the forgiveness ofour sins that we might havehope, joy, peace and mostimportantly, eternal salvation. In the name of the Holy Spirit,who has revealed God's truth tous through the Gospel, and by it,

has called us to faith in Christ*Jesus and motivates us forChristian living

To those of you seeking achurch home, we offer youfellowship with our livingRedeemer, *Jesus Christ,membership in His Church, andcitizenship in His eternalKingdom. Please sign our guestregister before you leave andcome again. If you would likemore information about St.John's Lutheran Church, pleasespeak to Pastor Grant. He willgladly try to answer anyquestions you might have.

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THE DIVINE SERVICE OF MORNING PRAISE“Morning Praise” is based on the historic service called “Matins.”

Ringing of the Church Bell - Call to Worship

PROCESSIONAL HYMN 334 COLOSSIANS 3:16

The Pastor makes the sign of the cross in remembrance of our being so marked in our Baptism. You are invited tomake the sign of the cross, remembering your baptism.

PSALM 51:15

PSALM 40:13

OH, COME, LET US SING TO THE LORD PSALM 95

Venite

THE WORD ACTS 17:11; ROMANS 10:17The Lessons and Psalmody are read/sung from the Lectern horn of the Altar by the Officiant or Lay Reader.

PSALM OF THE DAY - A Psalm as printed as an insert. Psalm 62The Refrain and “Glory be . . . ” are sung in unison. The Pastor or Lay Reader sings (says) the first strophe and thecongregation responds by singing (saying) the second.

David found rest for his soul in the loving strength of the Lord, even when the world bitterlyopposed him.

FIRST LESSON - The Old Testament Lesson as printed as an insert. 1 Kings 17:8-16As the Lord provided for the prophet Elijah during the drought that the Lord Himself hadvisited upon Israel because of the sins of King Ahab and the people of Israel, so the Lordpromises to sustain the faithful remnant of Christians in the midst of all earthly calamitiesthat are visited upon us and every form of persecution and suffering. Faith believes God’spromises that He will supply all of our needs, as is evidenced by the widow of Zarephath. The congregation may respond to the reading by saying:

C: Thanks be to God.

SECOND LESSON - The Epistle as printed as an insert. Galatians 5:25 - 6:10Paul reminds all believers that the Holy Spirit, who dwells with them by the power of theGospel, the Word made Flesh, will show itself by leading them in doing “good to allpeople.” For *Jesus bore all our burdens that we might be freed from sin and live inselfless sacrificial love toward others.The congregation may respond to the reading by saying:

C: Thanks be to God.

THE GOSPEL (Please Stand) - The Gospel as printed as an insert. Matthew 6:24-34The Gospel lesson is read from the Gospel horn of the Altar (liturgical north). [A reminder of the lamb’s blooddashed on the Old Testament Altar of Burnt Offerings.] (The congregation stands out of respect for the words ofChrist, our King.)

The Words of *Jesus remind us of the one thing needful: the Gospel of our Lord *JesusChrist. Health, property, money, house, and home are wonderful blessings from God thatcan all become idols when our heart fixes upon them in place of Christ. When God allowstragedy to befall us, He does so chiefly that we might be brought to repentance and returnto Him with all our heart and life. There is only One God and One Savior to whom we allmust look to for life and salvation. Apart from Him we have nothing. In Him we have allthings.

HYMN OF THE DAY 379

SERMON The Sermon is usually based on the Gospel for the day.

Matthew 6:24-34

Proclaimed by Lay Worship Leader, Mr. Tom Henke

THE OFFERING 1 COR. 16:2; 2 COR. 9:7

Just prior to the Offering Hymn being sung, the offering plates are given to the Ushers by the Lay Leader.

THE OFFERING HYMN 480

After the congregation’s offerings are received, they are brought forth to the altar.

THE OFFERING PRAYER ROMANS 12:1; HEBREWS 13:15,16

M: Father of all mercies, accept, we implore You, our bodies and souls, our hearts and minds,and all that we are and all that we bring to Your altar to be a reasonable, holy and livelyoffering to You for the work of Your Church. Graciously receive our offerings of praiseand thanksgiving, born of Your Spirit through the Gospel, even as You have receivedYour Church’s worship since the world began, for You have redeemed us to be Your ownthat we may live to You with all we are and all we have. May our offerings of praise beborne by the hand of Your holy angel to Your altar on high before the sight ofYour divine Majesty; through *Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, Who lives and reignswith You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY Kyrie

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH Trinity 15 / Pentecost 16 PHILIPPIANS 4:6; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1,2

It is a prayer which “understandingly and unselfishly reveals true concern for the Church in all of its operations, thestate and its governance, the home and its welfare, while it also remembers before God all mankind in theirrespective callings and necessities.” (Luther Reed) This prayer is not printed, since it varies with each Sunday.

Gathered in the name of *Jesus and assured of His promised presence, let us call on ourheavenly Father for ourselves, for our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world, and forall people.

Lord God, heavenly Father, through the good news of Christ's sacrifice for all sin, Youhave called people out of every nation to be Your Church. Make Your Church strong and healthythrough the faithful proclamation of Your word and sacraments. Fill us with fervent love for oneanother that does not ignore a brother trapped in sin, but speaks the truth in love to win ourbrother back, reconciled not only to us but especially to You.

Merciful Father, You have called on us to diligently confess and teach our childrenconcerning You and all Your ways. Bless the children who attend our Sunday School andChristian day schools. By Your mercy, open their ears and their hearts that they may know ofYour love for them in Christ. Sustain all those who teach in our Sunday School and day schools,as well as those who provide support. Bless their preparations, that they may point Your littleones to Christ and His cross.

Lord of hope, guard and keep all who face the temptations of the devil, the world, and oursinful flesh, and preserve the faith of those who are troubled by doubts. Keep us all from thedeceit of sin, and through the daily remembrance of our baptism, lead us by Your Spirit andindwelling presence to gain the victory over all that threatens our faith.

Gracious Lord, You have appointed the governing authorities for the reward of those who dogood and the punishment of evildoers. Lead us to honor those in authority. Keep us free from tyrants.Bless the rulers of the world with wisdom and godliness, through the proclamation of the Gospel.Protect and guide all who make, administer and judge our laws, that they intercede for the weakestand most vulnerable, especially the unborn and the infirm, and bring wrongdoers to justice. Guideand protect our military personnel, and in Your good time bring them back home to us.

Lord God, heavenly Father, You give us our bodies and souls, eyes, ears, and all ourmembers, our reason and all our senses, and still preserve them. Keep in Your constant care thesick, suffering, those who are recovering from surgery, and those who are undergoing chemo, orradiation or are shut-in, and especially the members of this congregation, who desire to rememberedin our prayers (including Linda, Marge, Pastor Grant, Mike, Dick and Don Ingle, Dick Packard,Juanita, Terry, Pam, and Gene Pursell, Ruby, Mary, Evelyn Bolton, Sandy Frey, Patty Grabemeyer,John Kenyon, Lynn Mischke, Jarielle Winkleman - and those we now name in our hearts.. . . ) .According to Your gracious will, grant them full healing. Comfort and strengthen them through YourWord and blessed sacraments, that their trust in You may be renewed and built up in the midst oftheir afflictions.

For all these and whatever other things You would have us ask, heavenly Father, we prayfor the sake of *Jesus Christ, Your only Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and theHoly Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

M: Taught by our Lord and trusting His promise, we are bold to pray:

Prayed by Lay Leader (with hands uplifted) and congregation:

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 a evil.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. %

THE PRAYER FOR GRACEPrayed by Lay Leader (with hands uplifted):

M: O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, You have brought ussafely to this new day. Defend us with Your mighty power, and grant that this day weneither fall into sin nor run into any kind of danger; and in all we do, direct us to whatis right in Your sight, through *Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.

C: Amen.CLOSING HYMN 293

Organist: Mrs. Pat Packard

Lay Worship Leader: Mr. Tom Henke, Elder

September 4 - September 11

St. John’s Calendar & News

Friday - NO Breakfast Bible Study until at least September 30th.Pastor Grant is still recuperating from surgery.

Next Sunday - Worship 9:30 - Organist: Ms. Jennifer Cook

Remembering our Sick and Shut-in with our prayers and visits:Pastor Grant - Home Mike Hillyer - HomeJuanita, Pam, Terry, and Gene Pursell - Home Mary Vahldieck - Home

.In the Service of the Lord and His Church - September

Altar Guild: The Cook Family Custodians: The Cook Family Ushers: Dave Radtke & Gary Cook

Pastor Mark Gieschen will be serving the membership of St. John’s while PastorGrant is recuperating from surgery. If you need to contact Pastor Gieschen, posted below arehis phone numbers:

Cell: 269-501-2344 Home: 269-323-7664

Cary P. Grant, Pastor Office / Church / Cell 986 - 2059Email: cgrant2@hotmail.com WEB Site: http://www.stjohnsbc.net

StJohns Lutheran BattleCreek-wels - Like us on Facebook WELS is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

© 2002 Northwestern Publishing House. Reprinted by permission.