Bethlehem Lutheran Church Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Rev. Micah R. Gaunt, Pastor

May 10, 2015Phone: 452-3302

Fifth Sunday after EasterDivine Service Setting I-

Holy Communion

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3: 16

Today we celebrate the Sacrament of our Lord Jesus Christ’s true body and true blood. Reception of the Lord’s Supper expresses not only fellowship with the Lord, but also fellowship and agreement with the teaching of the pastor and congregation.

We want to express our sincere welcome to our guests and assure them that for their spiritual welfare we follow the biblical practice of closed communion. All guests are kindly asked to please speak with Pastor Gaunt before communing at our altar. Normally, members of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod congregations are welcome to partake, as are people from churches in fellowship with the LCMS. Those who do not receive the Sacrament this day may use the time for prayer. Those not communing, who so desire, may come to the altar to receive a blessing. So that the pastor knows you desire a blessing please cross your arms over your chest. Please pray with us that we might all be truly united in the teaching of our Lord's precious word. (For further study: 1 Cor. 11:17-34; Matt. 5:23ff; 10:32ff; 18:15-35; 6:26-29.)

SERVANTS OF THE CHURCH

This Week Next WeekElders: Harvey Shrader Harvey Shrader

Mick Grabowski Mick GrabowskiUsher: Oren Vogt (Sun) Oren Vogt (Sun)Organists: Joyce Vogt (Sun) Joyce Vogt (Sun)

IN OUR PRAYERSMilitary: Kirk Zinnell, Tony Samuelson, Todd Chandler, Aaron Lade, Keith McAuliff, Angela Shrader, Jacob Deines, Joseph Kaplan, Steven SimiMissionaries: Rev. Ricky Jacob (Winnebago Reservation, NE), Sean P. Harlow (Philippines and Taiwan), Rev. James & Angela Sharp (Uruguay), Persephone James (Hong Kong), Brenda Rasmussen (Russia and the Baltic States)Birthdays: Kailey Fritz, Maggie Huryta, Quentin Bock, Clayton Wedemeyer, Leah Shrader, Dan McCormick, Scott Eilenstine, Dennis Boucher, Seth Zeller, Lyle Otte, Ana Huryta, Steven BetkeAnniversaries: Richard & Mary Ann Holmquist, Jim & Jan Hoffart, Harvey & Betty Shrader, Per & Lene AxelsenExpectant Mothers: Alexis Larson, Jordan Renzelman, Rachel Smith, Stephanie Grabowski (daughter-in-law of Mick & Janelle Grabowski), Sophie Zeller (daughter-in-law of Dave & Gloria Zeller)Illness/Recovering: Isabelle Warrington (granddaughter of Ron & Linda Zinnell), Lana Renzelman, Wade McAuliff, Kurt Escritt, George Dobish, Eldine Krichau, Marilyn Bock (mother of Christie Urwiller), Kaitlynn Huss (niece of Dwight Jones), Leonora Roth, Kim Crowell, Micah Roth (grandson of Dewey & Bennie Roth), Bette Gugennson (mother of Gloria Zeller), Mick GrabowskiShut-Ins: Shirley Wilke, Pauline Moon, Wanda Otte, Duane Glinsmann, Dee Hunt, Adeline HawthorneKearney Circuit Congregation: St. Paul Lutheran, Lowell

. . . even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

ROGATE—THE FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (Jn 16:23–33) To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray as one baptized. For it is in the water that He put His name upon you, claiming you as His own, making you sons of God in Him with access to the Father. By His incarnation and crucifixion our Lord Jesus broke through the barrier of sin which separated us from God, opening a portal to the Father. To pray in Jesus’ name is to pray with faith in Him as the one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a ransom for all. (I Timothy 2:1–6) Like Moses in the wilderness, Jesus is our go-between and intercessor before the throne of heaven. He was lifted up for us on the cross that we might be saved and restored to fellowship with the Father. (Num 21:4–9) Looking into this perfect teaching of liberty (James 1:22–27) we pray with boldness and confidence as dear children of God.

If your devotion so dictates, it is appropriate to make the sign of the cross at those places marked with a cross (T) and to bow the head at those places marked with a diamond () in reverence to God.

Hymn #702 “My Faith Looks Up to Thee”

Confession and Absolution

P: In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.C: Amen.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 reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.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 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: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for His sake God forgives us all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus Christ He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. May the Lord, who has begun this good work in us, bring it to completion in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.C: Amen.

Service of the Word

Introit (Isaiah 48:20)

P: With a voice of singing, declare, proclaim this, utter it to the end of the earth. Alle- | luia.* The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob! Alle- | luia.

C: Make a joyful shout to God, | all the earth!* Sing out the honor | of His name.

I cried to Him | with my mouth,* and He was extolled | with my tongue.

Certainly God has | heard me;* He has attended to the voice | of my prayer.

Blessed be God, who has not turned a- | way my prayer,* nor His mer- | cy from me! (Psalm 66:1, 17, 19–20)

Glory be to the Father and | to the Son* and to the Holy | Spirit; as it was in the be- | ginning,* is now, and will be forever. | Amen.

P: With a voice of singing, declare, proclaim this, utter it to the end of the earth. Alle- | luia.* The LORD has redeemed His servant Jacob! Alle- | luia.

KyrieP: 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 – This is the FeastC: This is the feast of victory for our God.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.This is the feast of victory for our God.Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.Power, riches, wisdom and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.This is the feast of victory for our God.Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation. Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen. This is the feast of victory for our God.Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia. This is the feast of victory for our God.Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Salutation and Collect of the DayP: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you.Silence for personal prayerP: Let us pray. O God our Father, from whom all good things do come, grant to us, Your humble servants, that by Your holy inspiration we may think those things that be right and by Your merciful guiding may perform them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen. (spoken)

Old Testament Reading Numbers 21:4-94 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” 6  Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 7  And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.P: This is the Word of the Lord.C: Thanks be to God.

Epistle James 1:22-2722 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this

person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.P: This is the Word of the LordC: Thanks be to God.

VerseP: Alle- | luia.*

Alle- | luia. Christ who has redeemed us | with His blood,*

is risen and has appeared unto us. Alle- | luia. I came forth from the Father and have come in- | to the world.*

Again, I leave the world and go to the Father. Alle- | luia. C: Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.

Holy Gospel John 16:23-30P: T The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 16th chapter.C: Glory to You, O Lord.23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27  for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28  I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” 29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”P: This is the Gospel of the Lord.C: Praise to You, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day #772 “In Holy Conversation”

Sermon

P: The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.C: Amen.

Apostles’ Creed p. 159

Prayer of the ChurchAfter each petition, the congregation responds in this way:P: … Lord, in Your mercy,C: hear our prayer.Conclude:P: … through Jesus Christ, our Lord.C: Amen.

OfferingMembers and visitors, please sign the Fellowship Pad during the gathering of the offerings.

OffertoryC: What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me? I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord. I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.

"Many among us celebrate the Lord's Supper every Lord's day after they are instructed, examined, and absolved. The children chant the Psalms in order to learn them; the people also sing in

order either to learn or to pray." (Apology of the Augsburg Confession)

Service of the Sacrament

PrefaceP: 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 praiseP: It is truly meet, right, and salutary….., evermore praising You and saying:

SanctusC: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might: Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna in the highest. T Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Lord’s Prayer

The Words of Our Lord

Pax DominiP: The peace of the Lord be with you always.C: Amen.

Agnus DeiC: 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 Hymns#766 “Our Father, Who from Heaven Above”#563 “Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness”#549 “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”

Thank the LordC: Thank the Lord and sing His praise; tell ev-‘ry-one what He has done. Let all who seek the Lord re-joice and proud-ly bear His name. He re-calls His prom-is-es and leads His peo-ple forth in joy with shouts of thanks-giv-ing, Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia

Post-Communion CollectP: Let us pray. O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving-kindness sent Your only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.C: Amen. (spoken)

BenedictionP: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord look upon you with favor and T give you peace.C: Amen.

Closing Hymn #895 “Now Thank We All Our God”

Acknowledgments: Divine Service, Setting One from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission.

OUR USE OF TIME & TREASURE FOR THE LORDMay 3, 2015

Worship Attendance: 78 Communion Attendance: 68 Sunday School Attendance: 2 Weekly Budget Goal: $3,044 General Offering: $2,240.00 Weekly Difference: -$804.00Offering to Date: $52,930.81 Goal to Date: $54,792.00

THIS WEEK AT BETHLEHEM

Sunday, May 10th Mother’s Day 8:30 am Worship w/Communion9:45 am Adult Bible Class/Sunday School

Monday, May 11th 9:30 am Kearney Circuit Worship 2:00 pm Ladies Bible Study

Tuesday, May 12th 1:00 pm Seneca2:00 pm Dorcas Society

Wednesday, May 13th 6:00 pm Private Confession7:00 pm Worship w/Communion

Thursday, May 14th 6:30 am Men’s Bible Study7:00 pm Ascension Day

Friday, May 15th Pastor’s Family Day

Saturday, May 16th

Sunday, May 17th 8:30 am Worship w/Communion9:45 am Adult Bible Class/Worship w/Communion

On the Web: The weekly bulletin will be available on the website the Friday before each Sunday. The audio of the Sunday sermon will be available the Tuesday following each Sunday.

e-mail: blc@blc.bethlutheran.comweb: www.bethlehemlutheranravenna.com

The Congregation at Prayer

Pray and confess out loud as much from the order of meditation and prayer as you are able, or as your family size and ages dictate. Learn by heart the verse, catechism and hymn of the week.

In the name of the Father, and of the T Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Apostles Creed

Psalm of the Week for Meditation – Psalm 67

Catechism Lesson: The Sacrament of the AltarHow can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?Certainly not just eating and drinking do these things, but the words written here: “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: “forgiveness of sins.”

Other Readings for the Week: The Gospel Lesson on Monday, The Gospel Verse on Tuesday, The Epistle Lesson on Wednesday, The Gradual Verse on Thursday, The First Lesson on Friday & The Introit on Saturday

Prayers are based on the Catechism and/or Readings for the Week. You may use the following structure: A Teaching – Speak back to God what He teaches you in this text; A Thanksgiving – Give thanks to God for what He teaches you in this text; A Confession – Confess your sins to God on the basis of this teaching; A Prayer – Ask God for His grace and help to keep this teaching; This week’s Collect, the prayers of our Parish (found in the bulletin) & Lord’s Prayer

Hymn #494 “See, the Lord Ascends in Triumph”

May the almighty and most merciful God, Father, T Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us. Amen.

Readings for Next Week: Old Testament: Ezekiel 36:22-38 Epistle: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Holy Gospel: John 15:26-16:4

Psalm 27 ANNOUNCEMENTS

A special welcome to all our mothers this day! As our nation recognizes Mother's Day, it is

appropriate to honor our mothers and to thank God for their presence in our lives.

Flowers at the Altar have been provided by Per and Lene Axelsen in honor of their 45th Wedding

Anniversary on May 16th.

Kearney Circuit Meeting Bethlehem will be hosting the Kearney Circuit Meeting tomorrow, May 11th. The congregation is invited to join us for morning worship beginning at 9:30 am.

Ladies Bible Study will be Monday, May 11th at 2:00 pm.

Seneca Communion will be Tuesday, May 12th at 1:00 pm.

Dorcas Society will have their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, May 12th at 2:00 pm.

Seneca Sing-Along this Wednesday, May 13th at 7:00 pm.

Ascension Day Service this Thursday, May 14th at 7:00 pm.

Prayer for Mission Trip Brenda Rasmussen and a small group will be in Russia and the Baltic States through May 25 th. Please pray for safe travel and an ability to leave God’s seeds scattered over there.

Vacation Bible School is scheduled to run from Sunday, May 31st

to Thursday, June 4th, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Along with a Bible lesson, crafts, and games, a light supper will be served.

Volunteers are Needed If you are able to provide the evening supper for VBS, please sign the sign-up sheet in the Narthex on your desired date.

Giving Opportunity The giving focus for the month of May is the LCMS Armed Forces. Learn more at lcms.org/armedforces.

Camp Luther Summer Camps are now open for registration. You will find camp information and registration forms online at www.campluther.org. Scholarships to attend camp are available through Bethlehem. If you are interested in a scholarship, please let the church office know by May 15th so that the scholarship money can be distributed evenly.

Religious Freedom and Same-Sex Marriage Conference We are at a significant time in the history of our nation as the Supreme Court will rule in June on the issue of same-sex marriage. This poses many questions and concerns for Christians in America. All clergy and laity are invited to a free conference on the topic of same-sex marriage and the church to be held Sunday, May 31st, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Doniphan at 3 pm. If you have any questions please contact Rev. Micah Gaunt at 308 452 3685.

Zion Lutheran Vacation Bible School 2015 is scheduled for June 2nd – June 6th, Tuesday – Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Preschool to 8th grade are welcome. If interested please contact Penny Meyer prmeyer@rcom-ne.com or 308-216-0069. Pre-registration information needed: name of child, age, grade just completing, any allergies or special needs, parents names and contact numbers.

Church Secretary Needed. This is a part-time position. Must have good office skills. If interested, please contact the church office at 452-3685 or Mick Grabowski at 452-4396.

Thank you

My sincere thank you for all the prayers, cards, visits and concern following my fall 5 weeks ago. Special thank you to Pastor Gaunt for visits and prayers. We think things are going well, healing takes time. Blessings to all,

―Leonora Roth

I would like to thank everyone for the kindness shown to me during my employment at Bethlehem. It has been a pleasure

to work with all of you and get to know each one of you personally. I’ll miss you very much. In His service ―Sherri