Bulletin — Lent — Sunday — 04/01/12
Palm Sunday Festival Service Faith Lutheran Church and School N 1529 State Road 73 Markesan, WI 53946 www.markesanlutheran.com Member: Church of the Lutheran Confession www.clclutheran.org Church and School Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 398-3171 Pastor Paul Krause. . . PTKrause@clclutheran.com. . . .398-2778 Candice Ohlmann, Principal (Grades 3-5) . . . . . . . . . 398-8910 Lila Brown (Grades 6-8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394-3439 Ann Sprengeler (Grades K-2) . . . . . . . . . . 398-2048 Marie Muehlenhaupt (Kindergarten) . . . . . . . . . . 398-2563 Lisa Reyes (Pre-School) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229-9322
Lent 6 – April 1, 2012 Organists: Barry Hay, Ann Sprengeler Worship Service Schedule: Sundays, 8:30/10:30; BC and SS at 9:30
The Bell calls us to worship
Invocation P: We begin in the name of the Triune God: C: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Arise, sons of the Kingdom! The King is drawing nigh; Arise and hail with gladness The Ruler from on high. Ye Christians, hasten forth! Your praise and homage bring Him And glad hosannas sing Him; Naught else your love is worth.
P: Beloved in the Lord: let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness. 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.
Arise, ye drooping mourners! The King is very near; Away with grief and sorrow! For, lo, your Help is here. Behold, in man-y a place – Oh, blessed consolation! – You find Him, your Salvation, Within His means of grace.
P: 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. Amen.
Arise, ye much afflicted! The King is not afar. Rejoice, ye long dejected, Behold, the Morning Star! The Lord will give you joy; Tho’ troubles now distress you, With comfort He will bless you, E’en death He will destroy.
Responsive Reading of Psalm 118 P: Open to me the gates of righteousness; C: I will go through them, And I will praise the Lord. P: This is the gate of the Lord, C: Through which the righteous shall enter. P: I will praise You, For You have answered me, And have become my salvation. C: The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. P: This was the Lord’s doing; C: It is marvelous in our eyes. P: This is the day the Lord has made; C: We will rejoice and be glad in it. P: Save now, I pray, O Lord; C: O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. P: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! C: We have blessed you from the house of the Lord. P: You are my God, and I will praise You; C: You are my God, I will exalt You. P: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! C: For His mercy endures forever.
Oh, rich the gifts Thou bringest, Thyself made poor and weak! O Love beyond expression, That thus can sinners seek! For this, O Lord, will we Our joyous tribute bring Thee And glad hosannas sing Thee And ever grateful be.
Prayer of the Day P: Almighty and everlasting God, You have caused Your beloved Son to take our nature upon Himself, that He might give us the example of humility and suffer death upon the cross for our sins. Mercifully grant us a believing knowledge of this, that we may follow the example of His patience, and be made partakers of the benefits of His sacred Passion and death; through the same, Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one true God, now and forever. ALL SING: Amen.
We hear the Word of God as it is read and preached
Isaiah 45:22-25 Before the Lord every knee will bow 22 “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. 23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. 24 He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed Who are incensed against Him. 25 In the Lord all the descendants of Israel Shall be justified, and shall glory.’”
Mark 11:1-10 Jesus enters Jerusalem 11 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; 2 and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. 3 And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” 4 So they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. 5 But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?” 6 And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. 8 And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ 10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David That comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”
Hymn 725
Sermon – 2 Corinthians 4:11-18 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Theme: Learning to look at the things which are not seen 1. Paul’s challenge 2. Jesus’ salvation 3. Our blessing
We respond with our confession of faith, offerings, and prayers
CONFESSION OF FAITH – THE APOSTLES’ CREED ALL: I believe in God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His 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 into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.
Hymn 162
The Offering is collected – sing Hymn 441: 1-2 – as printed here – 1. We give Thee but Thine own, Whate’er the gift may be All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee. 2. May we Thy bounties thus As stewards true receive And gladly, as Thou blessest us, To thee our first fruits give!
Responsive Prayer P: Lord Jesus Christ, our gracious and glorious King, on that first Palm Sunday You came in triumph to Jerusalem with people shouting their “Hosannas” and little children singing Your praise. But You did not come to reign over an earthly kingdom. You came in peace as the Prince of Peace to lay down Your life on Calvary for the sins of the world. Through the sacrifice You made, God and sinners are reconciled. C: Savior and King, accept our humble thanks for giving the kingdom of heaven to us sinners. P: O Lamb of God, who came to suffer and die, come now as King into our hearts to reign. Come to stay. Rule us with Your grace, forgiving all our sins. With Your love, change our lives so that we no longer serve sin but only righteousness. Cleanse our hearts with the purifying fire of Your Word and the Holy Spirit. Cleanse us from sin and unbelief and doubt. C: Give us faith to trust You, courage to confess You, strength to bear our crosses, and zeal to follow You all the days of our lives. P: O Savior, whose tender heart was filled with such love for lost sinners that You even wept over an unbelieving Jerusalem, knowing the terrible judgment that would befall it, fill us with compassion for all those sinners who because of unbelief are still traveling the broad road to damnation. C: May we feel compelled to witness Your saving name at every opportunity, and to join with others in sending missionaries to the far corners of the earth to preach the gospel to every creature. P: (Any special prayers will be offered here.) Let us join then to pray the words Jesus taught us: ALL: 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.
The Benediction P: The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you His peace. ALL SING: Amen, Amen, Amen.
Closing Hymn 161
CALENDAR and ANNOUNCEMENTS
TODAY >> Regular worship schedule >> Regular p.m. worship schedule at Living Hope, Appleton, WI (PK) WED >> Midweek Bible Study, 10-11 a.m. – in the school library THU >> Maundy Thursday – 7:30 p.m. communion service FRI >> Good Friday – 1:30 p.m. communion service SUN >> EASTER – early service: 7 a.m.; brkfst; late service: 10 a.m.
IN OUR PRAYERS >> We pray on behalf of Ann Sprengeler as she considers her call to West Columbia, SC (more info below) >> Laurie Marzofka also asks for our prayers as she is going through a series of new cancer treatments
CALL NEWS- Our K-2 teacher, Ann Sprengeler, has the call to Holy Trinity, West Columbia, SC, to be their preschool – second grade teacher. She would appreciate your prayers as she considers the call!
IN YOUR MAILBOXES – 1) April calendar 2) Holy Week schedule
SPRING CHRISTIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL is being hosted by Luther Memorial in Fond du Lac, WI, on Sunday, April 29th at 4 p.m. If you are interested in participating in the festival, please let Pastor Neal Radichel know soon! Pastor@fdllutheran.com If you aren’t planning on playing anything, please plan to join us for this springtime event of music and praise to our Savior!
ON THE BULLETIN BOARD AND/OR ENTRY TABLE >> latest CLC financial report — some copies on table >> sign up sheet for Easter lilies through Chris’ Floral (Gena Kok) >> sign up sheet for Easter breakfast >> Gym loan promissory note – marked “PAID IN FULL”!! >> Faith church directory – please update any changes in your listing
EASTER LILIES The Women of Faith is purchasing an Easter lily for Easter Sunday. You are welcome to add to the festivities with flowers of your own: 1) You can order Easter lilies yourself through Gena Kok (see the sign up sheet on the table in the entry) 2) You are welcome to bring one of your own from home
INVITE TO BREWERS GAME! This comes from Messiah Lutheran ~ Hales Corners Night at the Ball Park – Plan to join us this year at the ball park! Monday, July 16, 2012 – 7:00 – St. Louis Cardinals – Our group is sitting in section 128. The cost is $21.00 per ticket. Seats will be assigned as they are paid for. For more details email tedquade@gmail.com
ARISE AND SHINE 20’s-30’s Conference 2012 – June 7-10, 2012 – Camp JIM – Pillager, MN (Brainerd area) – Please make plans to join us for this year’s “Arise & Shine 20’s-30’s Conference.” The theme for this year is “self” and is based on our theme passages from Matthew 16:21-26 (ESV): “…Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it…” and John 3:30 (NKJ): “He must increase; but I must decrease.” For more info & to register go to our website: www.AriseAndShineRetreat.com Costs: $125 per adult (ages 7 and up), $50 (ages 4 – 6), FREE (ages 0-3). Child Care is provided at no additional cost to families. We ask that families attending the retreat register by May 18th to enable child care arrangements to be made. Questions: Feel free to contact: Pastor Luke Bernthal – lbernthal@live.com 402.389.2147 -or- Alana Ahrens – alanaahrens@yahoo.com 402.322.9064
PROFESSOR BUCK RETIREMENT GIFT AND OBSERVANCE After 36 years of faithful service to the Lord and His Church, Professor Michael Buck shall be entering retirement. We will be marking this event with a special presentation during the Immanuel Lutheran College Commencement exercises on Saturday, May 19, 2012. This is a special opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude to the Lord for having given us this special gift in Prof. Buck who has humbly and so capably served us at ILC as well as the CLC for so many years. He has served faithfully in the classroom, but has also willingly volunteered to serve in so many other capacities: coach, athletic director, bus driver, volunteering to help with projects, in earlier years serving as a camp director. He has also taught many within our CLC the gifts of friendship, kindness and Christian love (as well as a very different way of singing our birthday wishes). It is indeed appropriate for us to show our appreciation to Professor Buck for all he has meant to us these many years. A special plaque will be presented along with a monetary gratuity made up of your contributions to this fund. If you would like to contribute to Professor Buck’s retirement gift please send your gift to: Buck Retirement Gift, Dr. Jim Sydow, Immanuel Lutheran College, 501 Grover Rd., Eau Claire, WI 54701
ILC REGENTS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS Nominations for the office of President of ILC are welcome. The current term of Professor John Pfeiffer expires June 30, 2012. All pastors, professors, male teachers, and voting members of the CLC are entitled to nominate a man from the faculty of Immanuel Lutheran College to serve a two-year term beginning July 1, 2012. Nominations must be written or E-mailed no later than midnight April 15 , 2012 to… Mr. Craig Ryan 499 Country Lane Fulda , MN 56131 E-Mail: cryan@page1printers.com
COLLECTIONS IN BACK OF CHURCH >> For Lucas Brown’s expenses for his CLC Mission Helper Trip this summer; this collection will continue through June 2012 >> NEW: Your church council has OK’ed a collection to help with Emily Marzofka’s expenses on her mission trip to Peru this summer. Emily writes the following about her trip: “Well, the trip should take about two weeks, and we are planning on taking off the Monday after graduation. As for expenses, I am under the impression that is will about $1,500-2,000 per person. … We have been working on the day to day schedule and our Bible Class material in the meetings lately, and we have the basic outline of both so far. Just an update. Thank you for your prayers, very much. Emily”
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #213 – March 30, 2012 Pastor Ude reports: TOGO As was the plan I did not go to Togo or Ghana, but I did meet with Pastor Kossi in Badagari. Kossi’ s congregations in Varipariso ( 100 adults ) and Segby ( 20 adults ) remain about the same. He does however have two additional outreach areas. Both areas began with families who asked Kossi to come preach and have since grown slightly, in Hatoe there are about 9 adults, and 12 in Zangara. Besides these four places there is apparently a man in Togo who gave some land to Kossi asking him to come start a church there. He actually gave two plots one in Cotonou (Benin)and further north in Natitingou. Kossi hasn’t explored these areas yet, but said he was going to be signing the land deal with this man on his return. He still has about five young men whom he is working at training for the ministry. He has taken them through the Catechism, “What does the Bible Say,” and is currently working on “What is preaching.” Besides this he prints out the ministry by mail each week and goes through that with them as well. GHANA Unfortunately Pastor Gideon was not able to come to the recent conference. I did however speak to him on the phone. He has returned to a driving job. His congregation remains the same about 16 adults. They were expelled from the land they had been using. The congregation’s primary focus currently is on finding a place to worship. This seems to me to be the most pressing need of this kind in West Africa. Martin Essien from Nigeria is going to visit Ghana and report back to me on possibility of buying some land for Gideon. Joseph Kofi Ackah did make it from Ghana. He was quite eager to start at the Bible Institute which begins classes the 23rd of January. I didn’t see any reason not to start him immediately. I just recently received a report from Joseph that he was not able to make it to Efa for the start of the new school year. However he is working with Pastor Patrick Udo towards the possibility of starting later this year.
PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH IN INDIA In connection with a recent Bible Class, Pastor Bruce Naumann sent a few questions to our overseas missions; below is a brief excerpt from one response received… From Jyothi Benjamin, CLCI QUESTION #1: What forms does persecution of Christians take in greater India? Freedom of religion is under severe attack in India especially in Southern Indian states. Some years back, one of the Southern states passed an ordinance making it illegal to convert someone to another religion. Offenders face a possible three-year prison term and a fine of 50,000 rupees. However, if the person converted is a Dalit, a member of the so-called untouchable caste or a women or minors or schedule caste or schedule tribe, punishment may include four years in prison and a 100,000-rupee fine (around $2,000). Leaders of anti-Christian organizations welcomed this ordinance and demand similar legislation for every other state of India. This anti-conversion ordinance is a kind of attack on minorities especially on Christians. Attacks against Christians throughout the country have increased significantly. They include the killings of Pastors, the raping of Christian ladies especially nuns, and the physical destruction of Christian institutions, schools, churches, colleges, and cemeteries (Removing dead bodies from the graves and throwing them into the streets.) In January 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons were trapped in their car and burned alive in the state of Orissa, reportedly by Dara Singh, a local leader of the extremist group Bajrang Dal. One week later, one of the Australia missionary was shot in the chest with an arrow and beaten to death by a group of unidentified assailants, persons who attack physically. QUESTION #2: How has persecution of Christianity affected the congregations of the CLCI? Our CLCI members in the Medak district have been attacked by the religious fanatics in the year. Also in Khamam district one of our CLCI Pastor and his wife have been beaten up by a mob while they were going to one of their villages to conduct their weekly prayers. This is the first time gospel is being preached by our CLCI pastor in many of these villages in this district. However over a time of six months back the fanatics have been threatening them that they should stop the preaching and leave the village within a week’s time. In some villages, Hindu landlords forcibly put down our CLCI churches. They have organized their own armies. If any Christian group rises up to assert their rights, these armies attack away from government scrutiny or police intervention. The government does nothing to protect them because they are controlled by these same Hindu landlords. Like this many examples are there in the CLCI. In some areas, we changed the places of worship into other places.
THANK YOU! >> Do you have something you are thankful for at Faith? Drop a note in Pastor Krause’s box, and he will be happy to include it in the bulletin
FRUITS OF FAITH Attndnce – 03/21: 30 Attndnc – 03/25: 133; SS: 7 Offerings (03/21)= General Fund: $168.00; Missions: $2.00; CLC Mission Development Fund: $50.00 Offerings (03/25)= General Fund: $3,813.00; Missions: $872.00 School Fund: $25.00 Organ Fund: $100.00 Roof Fund: $50.00 $20.00 to Faith Building Fund in memory of Martha Kok; $20.00 to Stained Glass Window Fund in memory of Jerry Dillie; $700.00 to Building Fund in memory of Bernard and Arvilla Fiegel ENVELOPE COMMITTEE April 1: Team #5 – Frank Quade, Gary Quade; April 8: Team #6 Wayne Draeger, Brian Kirst USHERS: April early (and 5th): Russ Brown, Dan Dumke, Joe Brown, Jim Brown; April late (and 6th): Paul Eserhut, Bob McElroy, Andrew Reyes, Troy Cotterill