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October 14, 2007 "St. Ansgar's 80th Anniversary"
WELCOME! God's Love is the beginning. In His love He formed us. In His love He redeemed us. In His love He invites us to His banqueting table. We do not deserve his love. That is the meaning of grace, that He loved us in Christ and for the sake of Christ. His design is that we are to be channels of that love, to share in it in lives of humility and service. We come today to be renewed and equipped by the love revealed in Word and Sacrament. Thank you for coming and celebrating this special occasion with us at St. Ansgar's. Please join us after the service for refreshments.
Welcome & Announcements
Call to Worship
Deacon's Prayer
Prelude: Trio Op. 49 No. 6 (Josef Rheinberger)
Opening Hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Which vert and art and evermore shalt he.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye made blind by sin thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Invocation:
P: In the name of God the Father,
C: Maker of all things, visible and invisible,
P: and of the Son,
C: Whose praise is sung continually around the heavenly throne,
P: and in the Holy Spirit.
C: Whose presence quenches all fear of what we can and cannot understand.
Amen.
Forgiveness:
P: Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another
P: Most merciful God,
C: have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.
Amen
L: God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace we have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen us with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in our hearts through faith.
C: Amen
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Kyrie
P: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise: " Glory to God "
C: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king, almighty God and Father,
We worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God: You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. You are seated at the right hand of the Father; receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen. Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God's people on earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray... Almighty and most merciful God, your bountiful goodness fills all creation. Keep us safe from all that may hurt us, that, whole and well in body and spirit, we may with grateful hearts accomplish all that you would have us do, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen
First Lesson Jeremiah 29:1,4-7 (Sit)
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Special Music: Song of Thanksgiving
(Dutch melody arranged by Edward Kremser)
St. Ansgar's Choir
Second Lesson 1 Peter 2:1-9 (Sit)
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals et chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual' house, to he a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Special Music: New Life Korean Presbyterian Church Choir
Gospel Acclamation:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the Tenth Chapter
Gospel: John 10:22-30
At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one.
Hymn "Come Down, O Love Divine"
Come down, O Love Divine; Seek thou this soul of mine
And visit with thine own ardor glowing;
0 Comforter, draw near; Within my heart appear
And kindle it, thy holy flame bestowing.
Oh, let it freely burn, Till worldly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let thy glorious light Shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
Let holy charity Mine outward vesture be,
And lowliness become mine inner clothing
True lowliness of heart, Which takes the humbler part,
And o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.
And so the yearning strong, With which the soul will long,
Shall far outpass the pow'r of human telling;
No soul can guess his grace Till it become the place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.
Message of the Day: Guenter Dahle
Hymn of the Day: "Beautiful Saviour"
Beautiful Saviour, King of creation,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Truly I'd love thee, Truly I'd serve thee,
Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.
Fair are the meadows, Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flow'rs of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight,
Bright the sparkling stars on high;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer
Than all the angels in the sky.
Beautiful Saviour, Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honour,
Praise, adoration, Now and forevermore be thine!
The Apostle's Creed:
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 to the dead. 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
Prayers:
P: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
(The prayer petitions are read.)
P: Lord, in your mercy C: Hear our prayer
P: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
Offering:
Special Music by the New Life Korean Presbyterian Church Choir will be sung during the Offering.
Offertory Prayer:
P: Let us pray:
C: Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord. Amen.
The Great Thanksgiving:
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 indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and host of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might, holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow'r and might: heaven and earth are full, full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.
(Franz Schubert
P: Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth arc full of your glory. In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
P: Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us. 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
Lamb of God:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
(Distribution of Communion)
Thank the Lord:
Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell ev'ryone what he has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy with shouts of thanksgiving,
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Post-Communion Prayer:
P: Let us pray ... God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen
Benediction
:P: The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us.
The Lord look upon us with favor and ' give us peace.
C: Amen
Closing Hymn: "The Church's One Foundation"
The Church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ, her Lord;
She is his new creation By water and the Word.
From heav'n he came and sought her To be his holy bride;
With his own blood he bought her, And for her life he died.
Elect from ev'ry nation, Yet one o'er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth.
One holy name she blesses. Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses With ev'ry grace endued.
Though with a scornful wonder This world sees her oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed,
Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up: "How long?"
And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song.
Through toil and tribulation And tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation Of peace forevermore;
Till with the vision glorious Her longing eves are blest,
And the great Church victorious Shall be the church at rest.
Yet she on earth has union With God, the Three in One,
And mystic sweet communion With those whose rest is won.
O blessed heav'nly chorus! Lord, save us by your grace,
That we, like saints before us, May see you face to face.
Deacon's Prayer
Dismissal:
P: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
C: Thanks be to God.
Worship Bell:
Postlude: Toccata in F Major BuxWV 157 (Dietrieh Buxtehude)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Preacher Rev. Guenter Dahle (Assistant to the Bishop)
Presider Rev. Samuel King-Kabu
Assisting Minister Rev. Kylliki Pitts
Readers: Hanne & Rendell
Sergeant Special: Music New Life Korean Presbyterian Church Choir
Bells: St. Ansgar's Choir & Bells
Organist: Thomas Leslie
Prayers: Ingrid
Many thanks for attending this morning's service of great celebration of our 80th Birthday. Your presence has been appreciated and may God continue to bless us all.
St. Ansgar's would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all who made this weekend's celebration possible and a great success. Thank you to the Anniversary Planning Committee, and the congregation for all their hard work. Your contribution of time, energy and effort is most appreciated. None of this would have been possible were it not for your awesome dedication.
Refreshments will be served after the service. Please stay and enjoy the food and fellowship.
"Lord, give us grateful, humble hearts." God has given us so much. We ask him to give us gratitude as well, and to give us the desire to live lives of constant thanksgiving. Let Him turn this thanksgiving into thanksliving.
Welcome to St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church on this festive occasion! In the name of our loving Lord we welcome all who have come here to worship this morning. May you be enriched and your heart be filled with His love during this time of fellowship. We appreciate your presence with us this morning and please come again. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to speak to the pastor or any member of this congregation.