Current Bulletin - Lake Oconee Lutheran Church

AND A VOICE CAME FROM HEAVEN,
“YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON; WITH YOU I AM WELL PLEASED.”
January 11, 2015
LAKE OCONEE LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Baptism of Our Lord
A Stephen Ministry Congregation
Our vision is to be
an expanding community of faith, growing in the Holy Spirit,
and practicing before the world a Christ centered life.
Missionaries:
All the people of God
Pastor:
Rev. Andrew L. Schroeder
Director of Music:
Brad Rudisail
Church Secretary
Adria Riley
Church Office:
706-485-4600
Pastor’s Cell:
561-512-4844
1089 Lake Oconee Parkway
Eatonton, GA 31024
lolcsec@plantationcable.net
www.lolc.info
Aids for hearing, children’s activity bulletins, and large print
bulletins are available from the ushers.
A nursery room
for parents and their infants is available.
Please ask an usher for assistance.
Ushers: Lance Pailer & Jack Carson. Greeters: Evelyn Crockett
& Barbara Hardesty. Refreshments: Rosemary Bonnough
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PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
(THIS IS A TIME TO TURN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS
TOWARD GOD IN PREPARATION OF WORSHIP.)
Welcome:
Birthdays, Anniversaries, Welcome visitors.
* The Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
(You are invited to wish those around you God’s peace.
Please remain standing for the invocation.)
* Invocation
P: In the name of the Father and of the Son ☩ and of the Holy
Spirit. (THE SIGN OF THE CROSS MAY BE MADE BY ALL IN REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR BAPTISM).
C: Amen.
* Confession and Absolution
P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is
not in us.
C: But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just,
will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(SILENCE FOR MEDITATION AND REFLECTION)
P: Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
C: Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful
and unclean. 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. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of
Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew
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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: Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you
and for His sake forgives you all your sins. 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.
C: Amen.
Service of the Word
“God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven
(To sing harmony, turn to page 877 in the Lutheran Service Book)
God, Who Made the Earth and Heaven From Heaven
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Public domain
* Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray:
C: Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him
with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name
faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with
Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and forever. Amen.
First Lesson – Genesis 1:1–5
Reader: Barney Ross
Psalm 29
P: Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings,
C: ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
P: Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
C: worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
P: The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
C: the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.
P: The voice of the LORD is powerful;
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C: the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
P: The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
C: the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
P: He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
C: and Sirion like a young wild ox.
P: The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.
C: The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD
shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
P: The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth
C:
and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry,
“Glory!”
P: The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
C: the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.
P: May the LORD give strength to his people!
C: May the LORD bless his people with peace!
Second Lesson –
Romans 6:1–11
Reader: Karen Brown
*Alleluia Verse (Please stand to sing.)
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* The Holy Gospel – Mark 1:4–11
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark the first chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
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John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a
baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5And all the
country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and
were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their
sins. 6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a
leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey.
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And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier
than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop
down and untie. 8I have baptized you with water, but he will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9In those days Jesus came
from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10And when he came up out of the water, immediately he
saw the heavens opening and the Spirit descending on him like
a dove. 11And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved
Son; with you I am well pleased.”
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Choir
Sermon: “Pulling it Together”
Hymn: “O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright”
(To sing harmony, turn to page 395 in the Lutheran Service Book.)
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O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright
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What joy to know, when life is past,
The Lord we love is first and last,
The end and the beginning!
He will one day, oh, glorious grace,
Transport us to that happy place
Beyond all tears and sinning!
Amen! Amen!
Come, Lord Jesus!
Renewal of Baptismal Vows:
P: Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is appropriate on this day of
the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ that we remember and renew the vows once spoken at our baptisms -- that time when we
were washed of our sins and received the Holy Spirit to dwell
within us. Let us boldly make our confession of faith before
God, renouncing the sinful life of godless men and women and
embracing the godly life of the Spirit-filled Christian.
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and
confess the faith of the church. Do you renounce all the devil
and all the forces defy God?
C: I renounce them.
P: Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against
God?
C: I renounce them.
P: Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
C: I renounce them.
P: Do you believe in God the Father?
C: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
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P: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
C: I believe in Jesus Christ, God's 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose
again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right
hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and
the dead.
P: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
C: 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.
P: You have made public profession of your faith. Do you intend
to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism:
to live among God's faithful people, to hear the word of God
and share in the Lord's supper, to proclaim the good news of
God in Christ through word and deed, to serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and to strive for justice and peace
in all the earth?
C: I do, and I ask God to help and guide me.
P: People of God, do you promise to support and pray for one
another in your life in Christ?
C: We do, and we ask God to help and guide us.
P: Let us pray. We give you thanks, O God, that through water
and the Holy Spirit you give us new birth, cleanse us from sin,
and raise us to eternal life. Stir up in your people the gift of
your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the
spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear
of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and
forever.
C: Amen.
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* Prayer Of The Church
(After the pastor ends each petition with, “Lord in Your Mercy,” the congregation responds with, “Hear our prayer.”)
P: Living in the light of Christ, who reveals both our need and
God’s abundant love, let us pray for the Church, those in need,
and all of God’s creation.
P: Heavenly Father, you poured out the Holy Spirit on your beloved Son in his Baptism. Renew all who are baptized into
Christ, that the fruits of your Spirit may flourish. Lord, in Your
mercy …
P: You pour out water on your Children to cleanse them. Provide clean water for your people to drink and bathe safely, and
lead us to use our resources responsibly. Lord, in Your mercy
…
P: The message love transcends human language. Create in the
people of all nations a loving spirit, that our acts of love may
proclaim your goodness when words fail us. Lord, in your
mercy …
P: You send messengers to prepare the coming of your reign.
Send us to help those who are ailing from doubt, fear, depression, and sickness especially _____. Fill all who are in any need
with the hope of salvation. Lord, in Your mercy …
P: You have welcomed us as your beloved children. Make our
congregation a place of welcome for the stranger, a place
where your Gospel is clearly spoken in words and in actions.
Lord, in Your mercy …
P: As we give thanks for all those who have been washed in your
grace, shower us with your Holy Spirit until the day when we
will be united with Christ and all the Saints in your heavenly
reign. Lord, in Your mercy …
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P: Into Your hands, Gracious God, we commend all for whom
we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savioiur.
C: Amen.
Remain standing as the offering is brought to the altar.
Offering
*Offertory Prayer
P: Let us pray:
P: Blessed are you,
C: Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness
you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and
redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who
gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
P: We pray together:
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
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* Nunc Dimittis
* The Benediction
(Hebrews 13:20-21)
P: Almighty God, Father, Son ☩ and Holy Spirit, bless you now
and forever.
C: Amen.
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Announcements
*Hymn: “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise”
(To sing harmony, turn to page 394 in the Lutheran Service Book.)
Songs of Thankfulness and Praise
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* The Sending Forth
P: Go in peace, Serve the Lord!
C: Thanks be to God.
Post-service Music
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GOD’S BLESSINGS to all those celebrating birthdays: today,
Marion Mahs; Tuesday, Judy Cerny; and on Wednesday, Jean Vincent. Best Wishes!
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING: today 15 minutes after the conclusion of the service.
TWO REMINDERS: We will have HEALING SERVICE next Sunday
after the service and it is MITE SUNDAY next week.
B.L.A.S.T. EVENT: Stands for “Bringing Lives and Spirit Together.”
Join us for our second youth event for children grades 5-12. On
Sunday, January 25 from 12:30 to 3:00 p.m., we are hosting a
small bonfire with hotdogs and s’mores! Volunteers to assist
with the event please contact Kristen Kersey (706) 474-1894.
VOTERS MEETING: Mark your Calendars: On Sunday January 25,
fifteen minutes after close of service
“I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE in the LOLC family for the
thoughtfulness they openly displayed to me once again in giving
me a monetary gift of appreciation over the holidays. LOLC is a
center of love for me in a world that can be quite challenging at
times. The gratitude I feel from all of you never ceases to amaze
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me even after all of the years I have served here. There are times
I come by the church to hang out just because of the atmosphere
of adoration and thankfulness that I feel when I am here.
Thank you so much for consideration and love. May all of you
have a blessed 2015.”
Brad Rudisail
THE LENTEN SEASON & FLOWERS FOR THE ALTAR: The Lenten
Season begins in only five more Sundays. During Lententide no
flowers are placed on the altar. Traditionally in LCMS and ELCA
this is a season of austerity and simple reflection. If you have an
occasion to celebrate, consider providing flowers in the next few
weeks, after Easter, or placing them in the Narthex where visitors
and all can enjoy them. Please call the Church office for details.
THE FLGA DISTRICT CONVENTION will be June 12-14, 2015. We
need to select a lay delegate and an alternate before March. It is
important that we have representation at the convention because
our lay delegate will become our voting member for president of
Synod in 2016, along with Pastor Andy. Please contact the church
office if you are willing to serve.
WE OFFER NURSERY & CHILDCARE WHEN NEEDED during the
worship service. If you need childcare, please see one of the ushers and we will happily accommodate you.
WEEKLY CALENDAR:
Thursday
Bible Study
Saturday
Sunday
E.C.R. Service
Adult Sunday School
New Members Class
Choir Practice
Worship Service
10:00 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
Last Sunday’s Attendance: 99
Sunday school: 10
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OUR VALUES AS A CONGREGATION
Word and Sacrament –
…believing in and making faithful and frequent use of the Bible, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper as the means by which God gives and
sustains faith and empowers and strengthens us for Christian living.
Christian Education –
…providing quality, Bible based instruction to foster greater understanding of God’s Word and better equipping members for their discipleship in
Evangelism –
…reaching out to others by word and deed to join in the sharing of God’s
blessings and grace, which is free to all believers.
Stewardship –
…fully utilizing our time, talents, and resources to serve and love the
Lord, furthering our commission of discipleship.
Fellowship –
…caring for and sharing with our church family; fostering greater love,
understanding, and concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of
all brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
The window behind the altar is our EASTER SUNRISE WINDOW. The
cross hanging in front of the window is an empty cross, reminding us
that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive now to be with us here and
always. Every Sunday is a celebration of Easter. The symbol on the
front of the ALTAR is a combination of two Greek letters: the “chi”
which looks like our English “x” and the “rho” which looks like our “p.” In
the Greek, these are the first two letters of “Christ.” Combined as they
are, they suggest the cross. Superimposed on the cross is a heart, the
reminder that God’s love for us is the reason Jesus died on the cross.
God’s love for us empowers us to share his love with others.
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