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The Second Sunday of End Time – Last Judgment

November 4, 2018

Comfort Amid Chaos: Judgment Belongs to Jesus

elcome! all - both visitor and member alike! May our ever-giving and gracious God fill your

heart with joy, peace, and hope through the message of forgiveness in our living Savior, Jesus

Christ!

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

Often when we hear the word “judgment,” negative images race through our mind. On this Sunday of

the season of End Time the term “judgment” is one of comfort and assurance for the Christian. With

eager hearts and anticipation, we look forward to the day our Judge, Jesus, comes back to judge us

innocent because of the work he did.

PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP

Lord Jesus Christ, over the next few weeks

you will direct my attention to the end of

time, your coming back as judge, and my

eternal home of heaven. Today, Lord, change

my focus. Redirect it to what really matters -

the Day when I stand before you. By your

Holy Spirit and Word instill in me a

confidence that looks forward to that Day

when, in your courtroom, you will pronounce

me “innocent.” This, I know, dear Jesus, is

only by the gift of your life and death. Amen.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Flowers adorning our altar this morning are

given to the glory of God by Nancy Gillis in

loving memory of her sister-in-law.

Minister: Pastor Daniel Schroeder

Pianist: Karen Adams

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3461 Merle Ave

Modesto, CA 95355

(209) 551-0563

www.stpetermodesto.org

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CALL TO WORSHIP

OPENING HYMN Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying

Christian Worship #206 stanzas 1 and 2

This powerful and familiar hymn of the Christian church, often referred to as the “King of

Chorales,” was written while the author, Philipp Nicolai, was pastor at Unna in Westphalia,

Germany, when the dreaded bubonic plague raged there from July 1597 to January 1598,

during which time nearly 1,300 people died. This hymn is a stirring call to Christians to

prepare for the arrival of Christ, their Light. Nicolai described his hymn as a “spiritual bridal

hymn of the believing soul concerning Jesus Christ, her heavenly bridegroom.”

Minister: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the

Holy Spirit be with you.

Congregation: And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: God invites us to come into his presence and worship him with humble and penitent hearts.

Therefore, let us acknowledge our sinfulness and ask him to forgive us.

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have disobeyed

you in my thoughts, words and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is

good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for

my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord have mercy on me, a sinner.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning

sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you

all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

LORD, HAVE MERCY (KYRIE)

M: For all that we need in life and for the wisdom to use all your gifts with gratitude and joy, hear

our prayer, O Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy.

M: For the steadfast assurance that nothing can separate us from your love and for the courage to

stand firm against the assaults of Satan and every evil, hear our prayer, O Christ.

C: Christ, have mercy.

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M: For the well-being of your holy Church in all the world and for those who offer here their

worship and praise, hear our prayer, O Lord.

C: Lord, have mercy.

M: Merciful God, maker and preserver of life, uphold us by your power and keep us in your tender

care:

C: Amen.

M: The works of the Lord are great and glorious; his name is worthy of praise.

O LORD, OUR LORD

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Let us pray.

Lord God Almighty, so rule and govern our hearts and minds by your Holy Spirit that we may

always look forward to the end of this present evil age and to the day of your righteous judgment.

Keep us steadfast in true and living faith and present us at last holy and blameless before you;

through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one

God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Children are invited to come forward for a children’s devotion in the front of church.

THE WORD OF GOD

FIRST LESSON Malachi 4:1-3

Two completely different judgments determined by one’s attitude toward Jesus

Look! The day is coming, burning like a blast furnace. All the arrogant and every

evildoer will be stubble. The day that is coming will set them on fire, says the LORD of

Armies, a day that will not leave behind a root or branch for them. 2But for you who fear

my name, the sun of righteousness will rise, and there will be healing in its wings. You

will go out and jump around like calves from the stall. 3You will trample the wicked.

They will surely be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I take action, says

the LORD of Armies. (EHV)

M: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

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PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 90

Though the Lord sees even our secret sins, we sing for joy at his unfailing love.

We will read the verses responsively and sing the refrain in unison.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place

throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by,

or like a watch in the night.

Refrain

You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

You turn mortals back to dust.

You sweep them away in the sleep of death.

The length of our days is seventy years – or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow.

Teach us to number our days aright,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Refrain

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

And to the Holy Spirit,

As it was in the beginning,

Is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

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SECOND LESSON Hebrews 9:24-28

Jesus came once to earn salvation; he will come again to deliver it

For Christ did not enter a handmade sanctuary, a representation of the true sanctuary.

Instead, he entered into heaven itself, now to appear before God on our behalf. 25

And

he did not enter to offer himself many times, as the high priest enters the Most Holy

Place year after year with blood that is not his own. 26

Otherwise he would have

needed to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared

once and for all, at the climax of the ages, in order to take away sin by the sacrifice of

himself. 27

And, just as it is appointed for people to die only once and after this comes

the judgment, 28

so also Christ was offered only once to take away the sins of many,

and he will appear a second time—without sin—to bring salvation to those who are

eagerly waiting for him. (EHV)

M: This is the Word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

HYMN RESPONSE The Day Is Surely Drawing Near

Christian Worship #207 stanzas 1, 3, and 5

According to tradition, Martin Luther wrote down the tune of this song after he heard it sung

by a traveling minstrel (entertainer). This hymn was much sung during the Thirty Years’ War

(a series of wars mainly fought in Germany in the years 1618-1648). The song was popular

during this era because people believed the end of the world to be near.

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GOSPEL LESSON John 5:19-30

The Father has entrusted all things to the Son, including judgment

Jesus answered them directly, “Amen, Amen, I tell you: The Son can do nothing on

his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. Indeed, the Son does exactly what

the Father does. 20

For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.

And he will show him even greater works than these so that you will be amazed. 21

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life

to those he wishes.

22“In fact, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,

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that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor

the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24

Amen, Amen, I tell you: Anyone

who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He is not going to

come into judgment but has crossed over from death to life.

25“Amen, Amen, I tell you: A time is coming and is here now when the dead will

hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who listen will live. 26

For just as the

Father has life in himself, so also he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27

And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.

28“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves

will hear his voice 29

and will come out. Those who have done good will rise to live,

but those who have practiced evil will rise to be condemned. 30

I can do nothing at all

on my own. I judge only as I hear. And my judgment is just, for I do not seek my

own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (EHV)

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord.

HYMN OF THE DAY My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less

Christian Worship #382 stanzas 1 and 4

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SERMON Malachi 4:1-3

How Do You Look at Judgment Day – Heat or Healing?

NICENE CREED

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,

begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

who proceeds from the Father and the Son,

who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,

who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

OFFERING

The members of St. Peter Congregation have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this community

and around the world. Guests at St. Peter are welcome to participate in the offering but need not feel

obligated to do so.

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PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

M: Out of the depths we cry to you, O Lord; O Lord, hear our voices.

C: Let you ears be attentive to our cries for mercy.

M: Heavenly Father, we confess with sorrow that we have sinned and deserve only your anger and

punishment.

C: If you kept a record of our sins, we would surely be lost.

M: We confess with joy that your unfailing love has redeemed us.

C: Our hope is in you and in your full redemption.

M: Around us we see the birth pangs of the last days: war, famine, earthquakes, false prophets,

spiritual apathy.

C: Use these signs to remind us that we do not know the day or hour when Christ will come

again.

M: Keep us faithful to your Word; send your Spirit to strengthen our faith so that we are always

prepared for your Son’s return as judge.

C: Make us faithful in sharing your Word, and cause many more to put their hope in you

before the end comes.

M: Build our fellowship of love as brothers and sisters in faith.

C: Help us support one another when trials and troubles come our way.

Special prayers and intercessions may follow.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.

Silent sprayer.

M: Heavenly Father, we eagerly wait for Jesus to come again and make all things new. May he find

us, whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life, faithfully enduring to the end, through

the power of your Holy Spirit.

C: Come, Lord Jesus. May your grace be with us. Amen.

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.

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THE SACRAMENT

St. Peter Lutheran Church practices close communion. We invite confirmed members to come

forward to partake of the Sacrament. Thank you for your consideration.

This dialog (also known as the “preface”) leads into the heart of the Sacrament portion of the

service. In its exalted sentences, we have the oldest and least changed part of the liturgy. There is

evidence of its use in the 100’s A.D.

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them up to the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

M: Praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In love he has blessed us with every

spiritual blessing. He protects and preserves his Church in every age and gives us confidence to

lift up our heads and watch for Jesus with joy. Now have come the salvation and the power and

the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ. To him who sits on the throne and to the

Lamb be praise and thanks and honor and glory forever and ever.

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HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (SANCTUS)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks,

he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: “Take and eat. This is my body, which is given for

you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it all of you; this is

my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this,

whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen

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O CHRIST, LAMB OF GOD (AGNUS DEI)

DISTRIBUTION OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

During the distribution you are invited to join in singing the indicated hymns or to use the time for

private prayer and meditation. Appropriate prayers are found on page 11 in the front of the hymnal.

A personal preparation for the Lord’s Supper is found on page 156.

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DISTRIBUTION HYMNS The Day of Resurrection

Christian Worship #166

Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense

Christian Worship #167

THANK THE LORD

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CLOSING LITANY AND BLESSING

M: The Lord is near to those who wait for him.

C: Give us strength, O Lord as we wait for you.

M: The Lord is near to those who see the signs of his return.

C: Give us hope, O Lord, as we see the ways in which you are making your purpose and plan

known to all the world.

M: The Lord is near to those who are persecuted for his name’s sake.

C: Give us courage, O Lord, as we endure hardships because of our faith.

M: The Lord is near to those who look to the heavens, anticipating our Savior Jesus’ return.

C: Give us vision, O Lord, as we watch for you to come with the clouds.

M: The Lord is near to those who trust in him.

C: Give us peace, O Lord, as we put our trust in you to take us to our heavenly home.

M: May the God of peace sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be

kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he

will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)

C: Amen!

The following were reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-706579:

Service of Word and Sacrament © 1993 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage VersionTM (EHVTM) copyright © 2016 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved.

www.wartburgproject.org