Worship Folder

Authority to Forgive Thursday, October 15 · Sunday, October 18

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church Suamico, WI

Welcome to Mt. Olive From all of us at Mt. Olive, welcome to worship! We are so glad that you have joined us today.

A Few Notes Before Worship • Restrooms are located in the entryway. • We love having children in worship! We realize that can sometimes be challenging. If your child becomes restless, there is a family room located next to the drinking fountain. • Baby changing stations are located in every restroom • You are our guest. If there is something else we can help you with, please let an usher know. They will be happy to assist. • Finally, you’ll find everything you need for worship printed in this worship folder. Lord’s blessings on your worship!

Today’s Focus Forgiveness is a concept familiar to Christians because forgiveness is the heart and soul of Christianity. It's the centrality of forgiveness that sets Christianity apart from every other religion on the face of the planet. This week, we'll focus our attention on Jesus' authority to forgive.

A Prayer Before Worship Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and sing your praise. Amen.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church is a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

2 Invocation The name of the triune God and the sign of the cross remind worshipers of their baptisms.

M: In the name of the Father and of the Son 9 and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Confession

M: Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.

C: Lord of life, I confess that I am by nature dead in sin. For faithless worrying and selfish pride, For sins of habit and sins of choice, For the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do, You should cast me away from your presence forever. O Lord, I am sorry for my sins. Forgive me, for Jesus’ sake.

Absolution The use of the keys is that special power and right which Christ gave to his church on earth: to forgive the sins of penitent sinners.” For further information see: John 20:21-23. Also see Luther’s Small Catechism, “The Use of the Keys and Confession.”

M: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again. In his great mercy, God made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in our sins. Hear the word of Christ through his called servant: I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son 9 and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

3 Prayer Of The Day

M: Almighty God, in your bountiful goodness keep us safe from every evil of body and soul. Make us ready, with cheerful hearts, to do whatever pleases 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.

God’s Word

First Lesson Exodus 15:22-26

Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” 25 Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made a decree and a law for them, and there he tested them. 26 He said, “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”

Psalm of the Day Psalm 139a printed on the next page of your worship folder

4 Psalm 139a

O LORD, you have searched me and you know me;* you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down;* you are familiar with all my ways.

Refrain

Where can I go from your Spirit?* Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;* if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,* if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,* your right hand will hold me fast.

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.

Refrain

5 Second Lesson Ephesians 4:22-28

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Hymn of the Day Praise the Almighty, My Soul Adore Him Christian Worship 235 printed on the next page

7 God’s Word In Our Lives

Matthew 9:1-8 Authority to Forgive

Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. 2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” 4 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

8 Confession of Faith Public confession is faith’s response to God’s saving Word. The congregation joins Christians who have confessed the Nicene Creed for over 1600 years.

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and became fully human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy Christian* and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

*The original text here reads “catholic,” a word meaning “universal.” The Church consists of all believers in heaven and on earth, of every time in history.

Worship Registers We’re so glad you could join us for worship today and would love to have a record of your visit! Please take this time to fill out he worship register information in the booklet in your pew. Any information you’d be willing to share would be greatly appreciated

9 Prayer of the Church We pray on behalf of this church as well as on behalf of God’s people throughout our nation and the world.

M: O Lord, our God, you are wise and powerful, good and gracious. Your mercies are new every morning. Each day you open your hand and provide for the needs of your children on earth. C: We praise you for every grace and blessing.

M: Strengthen your Church in all the world. Let your comforting message of salvation in Jesus be proclaimed to troubled souls everywhere. C: Use our ministries and offerings to extend your healing and your hope.

M: We bring you our requests for the various structures of our society. Bless our national, state and local governments C: Grant us civil servants who are worthy of honor and respect.

M: Grant prosperity to our businesses and industries. Give employers a sense of fairness toward their workers, and employees a feeling of joy and pride in their workmanship. C: Help us find satisfaction in all work well done.

M: Invigorate the schools of our land. Give success to every effort that helps students read, think, and communicate in ways that will promote an informed and responsible citizenry. Arouse curious minds to discover the wonders of your creation. C: Give us teachers and students who pursue excellence.

M: Strengthen the families of our country. Give fathers and mothers a renewed commitment to be good parents. Give children and young people the wisdom to regard their parents as your representatives. C: Lead us to love one another as you have loved us.

M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions

Silent Prayer (Special intercessions may also be included here)

M: Gracious Father, you have restored to us the joy of your salvation. With happy hearts we come before you and say: C: Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Amen.

M: Father, we bring these prayers before you, confident that you will hear and answer them. For it was your only Son who taught us to pray:

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.

Preface The words of the Preface mark the beginning of the Sacrament section of the service and lift the worshipers’ hearts in praise. The opening sentences are among the oldest in the Christian liturgy.

M: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

M: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them up to the Lord.

M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

C: It is good and right so to do.

11 M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord who promised wherever two or three come together in his name, there he is with them to shepherd his flock till he comes again in glory.

Words of Institution As he speaks the Words of Institution, the minister both proclaims the words of Jesus to the congregation and sets apart the bread and wine for the Lord’s use. The sign of the cross reminds us of Christ's death.

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my 9 body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; this is my 9 blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: Amen.

12 Distribution The Scriptures teach that the celebration of the Lord’s Supper connects us intimately with Christ and with one another as Christians who are united around a common confession of faith. In light of our Lord’s clear warning concerning His Holy Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, we ask you take the opportunity to join us in studying what our God has to say concerning this Holy Supper prior to communing.

Thanksgiving

M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good

C: And his mercy endures forever.

M: We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen

13 Blessing

The blessing of Aaron has been spoken over God’s people for over 3,500 years. The Lord said, “So they will put my name on [them], and I will bless them” [Numbers 6:27].

M: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and 9 give you peace.

C: Amen.

Closing Hymn Jesus Sinners Does Receive Christian Worship 304 verses 1,2,5 & 7 printed on the next page

15 Serving Jesus This Week Announcements

Thursday, October 15 Don’t forget to pick up your Sunday School Packets! Worship at 7pm + Communion Accompanist: Kristin Nelson Optional video links for lessons are found in the weekly Usher: Brian Henken emails.

Sunday, October 18 Open Forum & Voters’ Meeting Devotional Service at 8am Please take a moment to review the materials for the + Communion meeting. You can find them in the weekly email or pick Worship at 9am + Communion Accompanist: Kristin Nelson up a printed copy on the table in the fellowship hall. Usher: Darren McDougal The meeting will be held on October 25th after 9am Altar Flowers: worship. Zoom will be available for those not attending in person. Thursday, October 22 Worship at 7pm Soul Sisters Women’s Bible Study Accompanist: Our study for women and teen girls continues on Usher: Dan Busch October 19th at Mt Olive & on Zoom at 6pm. Links will Sunday, October 25 be emailed and posted to the group’s Facebook page. Devotional Service at 8am Worship at 9am Upcoming Schedule Accompanist: Sandy Swoboda Usher: John Schoenwalder Altar Flowers: Thursday, October 15 6pm - Bible Study at Mt Olive & on Zoom 7pm - Worship + Communion

Sunday, October 18 8am - Devotional Service + Communion 9am - Worship + Communion 10am - Bible study at Mt Olive & on Zoom

Monday, October 19 6pm - Soul Sisters Bible Study at Mt Olive & on Zoom Worship Schedule Thursdays at 7 pm Wednesday, October 21 Sundays at 9 am 6pm - Catechism Class

Pastor Pete Zaferos 7pm - Bible Basics Class

(920)737-3695 cell Thursday, October 22 [email protected] Call, text or e-mail anytime! 6pm - No Bible Study 7pm - Worship Church Office (920)434-2822 Sunday, October 25 (920)737-5124 cell 8am - Devotional Service [email protected] 9am - Worship 10am - No Bible Study (Open Forum & Voters’ Meeting) mtolivesuamico.com

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