| Greeting and Welcome
Prelude - "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" arr. Labenske
Lighting of the Candles
Hymn of Invocation – Earth and All Stars (LSB 817, verses 1-3)
Earth and all stars! Loud rushing planets! Sing to the Lord a new song! Oh, victory! Loud shouting army! Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Refrain: He has done marvelous things. I too will praise Him with a new song!
Hail, wind, and rain! Loud blowing snowstorm! Sing to the Lord a new song! Flowers and trees! Loud rustling dry leaves! Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Trumpet and pipes! Loud clashing cymbals! Sing to the Lord a new song! Harp, lute, and lyre! Loud humming cellos! Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
+ Preparation +
Invocation P: In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.
Opening Sentences - Psalm 66:1–4, 8–9; 40:5 P: Shout for joy to God, all the earth; C: sing the glory of His name; give to Him glorious praise! P: Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! C: All the earth worships You and sings praises to You; they sing praises to Your name.” P: Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, C: who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. P: You have multiplied, O LORD my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You! C: I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
Confession and Absolution P: Humble yourselves then before God, confess your sins to Him, and implore His forgiveness. C: O almighty God, most merciful Father, I, a repentant sinner, confess to You all my sins and iniquities with which I have offended You. By nature, I am a sinful creature. In thought, word, and deed I have continually transgressed Your law. For this I justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of the sufferings and death of Your Son, Jesus Christ, be gracious and merciful to me, a penitent and contrite being. Forgive me all my sins and grant me the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may amend my sinful life and bear fruit in keeping with true repentance. P: God be gracious to you and strengthen your faith. C: Amen. P: As you believe, so let it be. As a called and ordained servant 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.
+ Word +
Introit P: A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me. C: I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. P: Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. C: The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. P: All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! C: My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
All: 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
P: A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.
Salutation and Prayer of the Day P: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. P: Let us pray. Risen and ascended Lord, You are the vine and we are the branches. Apart from You there is no life. By Baptism You have grafted us into Your gracious life. Cause Your Word to abide in us and make us fruitful to the glory of Your Father, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.
First Reading – 1 Kings 11:41–43; 12:16–20 Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only.
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Epistle – 1 John 4:1–11 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.
Holy Gospel – John 15:1-8 P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the fifteenth chapter. C: Glory to You, O Lord.
[Jesus said:] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise to You, O Christ.
Nicene Creed I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life + of the world to come. Amen.
Children’s Hymn – Kids of the Kingdom (AGPS 150)
Kids of the kingdom, that’s what we are: Kids of the kingdom, that’s what we are. We love Jesus, we love the Lord. We love Jesus, we love the Lord.
Praise to the Father, praise to the Son, Praise to the Spirit, the Three in One. We love Jesus, we love the Lord. We love Jesus, we love the Lord.
Children’s Sermon – Janet Leet
Hymn of the Day – Thy Strong Word (LSB 578)
Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At Thy speaking it was done. For created light we thank Thee, While Thine ordered seasons run. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death, Broke the light of Thy salvation, Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness, Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end!
Sermon
Offering
Offertory
Prayers
+ Celebrating birthdays this week: 28 – Steve Albers; 29 – Kelly Schultz; 2 – John Ladd, Jennifer Grimm; 3 – Rod Nobis; 4 – Jason DeBord + Wedding anniversaries: 30 – Paul & Glee Schultz
Special Celebrations and Needs: + Church family members: Sherman Moore, recovering from surgery; Janet Hurley, upon the return of her cancer; Sharon Gaal, recovering from surgery; family and friends of Hank Schlichter, upon his death; Vicki Lucas, recovering from a stroke; Ken Kight. + Friends of our congregation: Oliver & Bethany LaMie, celebrating the birth of their son, Marlin; Ryan Barnett, who received a call to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glen Burnie, Maryland; Barbara Huggins, in rehab with a broken leg; the Wehmueller family, upon the death of their friend, Don; Rebecca Guion, daughter-in-law of Mary Guion. + Those who are homebound or in nursing facilities: Twylah Atwood, Mary Aufderheide, Jules Bush, Frank & Sharon Gaal, Mary Guion, Jerry & Jane Keathley, Cindy Smith, Shirley Williams
+ Sacrament +
Preface 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. P: It is truly good, right, and proper that we should give thanks to You, Lord our God, for You have shown mercy to all in Christ our Redeemer, the Vine divine. Receive our thanks that as branches of the Vine, we are created to bear fruit. Unite our praises with those of all the faithful who are connected to Christ and join them with the unending praise of the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven.
Sanctus Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might: Heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna, Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Prayer of Thanksgiving P: Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of all creation, for You have had mercy on us and have showed Your gracious power to us through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. We give You thanks that in His most Holy Supper You nourish us that, firmly connected to Christ the Vine, we may grow in grace. Grant that we may receive the blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation that come to us in His body and blood as we gather at His command. C: Amen.
The Words of Our Lord P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My + body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My + blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
Proclamation of Christ P: As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. C: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. P: O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Lord’s Prayer 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.
Pax Domini P: The peace of the Lord be with you always. C: Amen.
Distribution
Distribution Hymn – By Grace I’m Saved (LSB 566)
By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not. Why stagger at this word of promise? Has Scripture ever falsehood taught? No! Then this word must true remain: By grace you too will life obtain.
By grace! None dare lay claim to merit; Our works and conduct have no worth. God in His love sent our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth; His death did for our sins atone, And we are saved by grace alone.
By grace God’s Son, our only Savior, Came down to earth to bear our sin. Was it because of your own merit That Jesus died your soul to win? No, it was grace, and grace alone, That brought Him from His heav’nly throne.
By grace! This ground of faith is certain; As long as God is true, it stands. What saints have penned by inspiration, What in His Word our God commands, Our faith in what our God has done Depends on grace—grace through His Son.
By grace to timid hearts that tremble, In tribulation’s furnace tried, By grace, in spite of fear and trouble, The Father’s heart is open wide. Where could I help and strength secure If grace were not my anchor sure?
By grace! On this I’ll rest when dying; In Jesus’ promise I rejoice; For though I know my heart’s condition, I also know my Savior’s voice. My heart is glad, all grief has flown Since I am saved by grace alone.
Blessing
Post-Communion Collect P: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we bless You for having fed us with Your life-giving food. Strengthen us through the same, help us to rejoice in Your mercies that we may grow daily and reach out with Your love in every situation. Finally, in Your mercy, grant us a portion with the saints in light eternal. This we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with You and the Holy Spirit are one God, world without end. C: Amen.
Benediction P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. C: Amen.
Closing Hymn – Earth and All Stars (LSB 817, verses 4-7)
Engines and steel! Loud pounding hammers! Sing to the Lord a new song! Limestone and beams! Loud building workers! Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Refrain: He has done marvelous things. I too will praise Him with a new song!
Classrooms and labs! Loud boiling test tubes! Sing to the Lord a new song! Athlete and band! Loud cheering people! Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Knowledge and truth! Loud sounding wisdom! Sing to the Lord a new song! Daughter and son! Loud praying members! Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Children of God, dying and rising, Sing to the Lord a new song! Heaven and earth, hosts everlasting, Sing to the Lord a new song! Refrain
Postlude
Altar flowers are given this morning by Steve & Cathie Albers with thanksgiving to God for the many grace-filled blessings received
+ WORSHIP LEADERS + Preacher/Celebrant/Liturgist – Pastor Scott Organist/Pianist – Seth Carruthers Lector – Tim Cosby Communion – Steve Phelps & Seminary Student Sound/Video – John Steele Ushers – Lisa Grossenheider, Becci Sasser, Gerry Lucas, Tony Petzoldt Greeters – Bob & Debbie Jacobson | 
