A Sermon Series at Huntersville Lutheran

SOLus Christus | Christ Alone

10.25.20 Huntersville Lutheran A Changeless Message for A Changing Community

Worshipping at the Brick Row Class @ 8:45 | Worship @ 9:30am Huntersvillelc.com | 248-807-3057 | [email protected]

elcome! Thank you for joining us for worship this morning. Our service is centered W on our Savior, Christ, who lived, died, and rose from the dead so that we would have eternal life in him. God reveals this soul saving message in his Word. We gather to find strength though God’s powerful and holy Word. Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the order of service, readings, and hymns, and fill out the take action card. May God bless our time together this morning.

About Our Worship The gospel is the good news about what Jesus did to be the Savior for sinners. It is also the power of God—the very thing he uses to work faith in our hearts and transform our lives. Therefore, gospel-centered worship places the gospel in central focus. This order of service is called the liturgy. In the message, in specially selected Scripture readings, and in carefully crafted songs, prayers, and creeds, the liturgy proclaims the good news about Jesus from start to finish. Gospel-centered worship is also designed to include the participation of the entire assembly (including children).

For Your Convenience Restrooms are located through the doors at the rear of the building, to the right. Follow the arrows once you are in the hallway.

Service Participants Rev. Doug Van Sice, pastor of Huntersville Lutheran Andrea Van Sice, keyboardist

1 | Page SERIES NOTES | THE HEART OF IT ALL

Over 500 years ago, a German monk from a backwater town posted 95 statements for debate on some castle church doors. Unintendedly, this monk’s singular action was the spark that ignited a revolution in both the church and the world: the Lutheran . And it is because of this Reformation that we exist today, and why we call ourselves Lutherans. But why was this “Reformation” needed, and what was “reformed?” Well, to be quite frank, the church had completely lost her way. During the dark days of the middle ages, the truth of God’s Word was hidden away in monasteries, accessible only to monks and clergy. The church of that day was not teaching that we are saved by Jesus’ death and resurrection. Instead, people were told that they needed to try and earn their way to heaven—or worse, that they had to buy their way to heaven. The truth of God’s Word was rejected, and the traditions of men put in its place. Simply put, the church had lost the heart of it all. But, by his grace, God used men like Martin Luther to reform his church and return her to these four fundamental truths: That mankind is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of scripture alone, in Christ alone. That’s it. But that’s the heart of it all. Throughout this sermon series, “The Heart of It All,” we will be exploring these fundamental truths rediscovered during the Lutheran Reformation of the Church and why they are still, 500 years later, at the heart of who we are, what we do, and why we do it.

SERIES WEEKS OCTOBER 25th | SOLUS CHRISTUS (In Christ Alone) So much of life can pass by without much pause for the hugely serious. It can seem a bit easier to walk through life not talking about or finding answers to questions regarding God, death, and what happens next. Although that may seem simpler, there comes a time when we must have some kind of hope that doesn’t disappoint…some kind of peace that lasts. What is that for you? Whatever it is, it needs to be something to which you point and say, “This is it.” And in both what God says and how he says it shows God’s solution to that eternal dilemma. And it’s more than you might anticipate. NOVEMBER 1st | THE HEART OF IT ALL

2 | Page ORDER OF SERVICE

Opening Hymn | My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less |

3 | Page Invocation1 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

Confession of Sins Dear friends, let us confess our sins with a true heart in the presence of God and one another. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, C We have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed what we have devised and desired in our hearts. We have offended you and sinned against your holy law. We have done those things that we should not have done, and we have not done those things that we should have done. Have mercy on us, Lord! Spare us, forgive us, and restore us, according to your promises in Christ Jesus. Our gracious Father in heaven has been merciful to us. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our and Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our guilt by his death on the cross and freed us from death by his resurrection from the grave. As a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I say to you what God says to you: your sins are all forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. C Amen.

1 Beginning in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is a reminder of your baptism. In your baptism, God washed you of your sin, placed his name on you, adopted you as his dear child, and made you a heir to his eternal kingdom. 4 | Page Lord, Have Mercy | Kyrie2 | In peace, let us pray to : For the well-being of all people everywhere, for the growth of your church in all the world, and for the strengthening of all who serve and worship here, hear our prayer, O Lord. C Lord, have mercy. For one another, young and old, for your blessings that come with every stage of life, and for joy in doing your will, hear our prayer, O Christ. C Christ, have mercy. For our public servants who work day and night to bring protection, justice, learning, and health to this and every place, hear our prayer, O Lord. C Lord, have mercy. Lord of life, live in us that we may live for you. C Amen.

2 The word Kyrie is a Greek word from the phrase Kyrie eleison which means, “Lord, have mercy!” This is the most heartfelt cry of a believer to his Lord. It is not a cry for forgiveness, but a cry for mercy that our Lord and King hear us and help us in our necessities and trouble. Christians have been praying the Kyrie at Sunday worship for more than 1700 years (that’s why its name is Greek, the language most commonly spoken at the time). This morning, may it also be our heartfelt cry to our Lord and King. 5 | Page Glory Be To God | Gloria in Excelsis3 | 1. All glory be to God on high! Your name, O Lord, we glorify; We praise you for your peace and grace, Your favor toward our fallen race. 2. Our grateful thanks to you we bring, For your great glory, heav’nly King, For all, O Father, you have done Through Jesus Christ, your only Son. 3. O Lamb of God, to you we pray. You take all human sin away. Have mercy, Lord; receive our prayer; From God’s right hand, your mercy share. 4. You, Christ, are holy—Lord alone; The Father’s glory you made known. We by your Spirit sing again: “All glory be to God!” Amen.

Prayer of the Day Let us pray: Lord God, forgive the wrongdoing of your people and be gentle with us in our weakness. Deliver us from the bondage of our sin and direct us to the path of righteousness; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C Amen. Be Seated

3 This ancient song of the church gets its name from its first few words in Latin: Gloria in Excelsis Deo! This was the greatest song of praise ever heard on earth. An angel choir sang it in the Judean sky the night Jesus was born (Luke 2:14). This song has been sung in Christian churches for 1500 years. As Martin Luther once said, “This ancient song did grow, nor was it made, but came from heaven.” 6 | Page THE WORD

Children’s Message

First Reading | Leviticus 16:1-10, 15-17, 20-22, 34 | The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. 2 The LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover. 3 “This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: He must first bring a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He is to put on the sacred linen tunic, with linen undergarments next to his body; he is to tie the linen sash around him and put on the linen turban. These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on. 5 From the Israelite community he is to take two male goats for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. 6 “Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household. 7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat. s 9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat. 15 “He shall then slaughter the goat for the sin offering for the people and take its blood behind the curtain and do with it as he did with the bull’s blood: He shall sprinkle it on the atonement cover and in front of it. 16 In this way he will make atonement for the Most Holy Place because of the uncleanness and rebellion of the Israelites, whatever their sins have been. He is to do the same for the tent of meeting, which is among them in the midst of their uncleanness. 17 No one is to be in the tent of meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household and the whole community of Israel.

7 | Page 20 “When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the tent of meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. 21 He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. 22 The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness. 34 “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” And it was done, as the LORD commanded Moses.

The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

Psalm 92 How great are your works, O LORD, C How profound your thoughts. The senseless man does not know, C Fools do not understand, That though the wicked spring up like grass C And evildoers flourish, They will be forever destroyed.

C But you, O LORD, are exalted forever. The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, C They will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, C They will stay fresh and green,

Proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; C He is my rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

8 | Page Second Reading | Romans 3:25, 26 | 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, m through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God.

The Gospel The Gospel, according to John, chapter fourteen. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise be to you, O Christ! 9 | Page Hymn of the Day | Across the Lands | 1. You’re the Word of From before the worldbegan. Ev’ry star and ev’ry planet Has been fashioned by your hand. All creation holds together By the power of your voice. Let the skies declare your glory; Let the land and seas rejoice Refrain: You’re the Author of creation; You’re the Lord of ev’ry man; And your cry of love rings out across the lands. 2. Yet you left the gaze of angels, Came to seek and save the lost, And exchanged the joy of heaven For the anguish of a cross. With a prayer you fed the hungry; With a word you calmed the sea; Yet how silently you suffered That the guilty may go free. Refrain. 3. With a shout you rose victorious, Wrestling vict’ry from the grave, And ascended into heaven, Leading captives in your way. Now you stand before the Father, interceding for your own; From each tribe and tongue and nation, You are leading sinners home! Refrain.

10 | Page Sermon | Solus Christus | Romans 3:25, 26 Personal Sermon Notes

11 | Page Confession of Faith | The Nicene Creed | C 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 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 . 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. THANKSGIVING

Offering | The members of Huntersville Lutheran have joined together to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. If you would like to give digitally, text any dollar amount to 84321. Easy to follow instructions will be sent to your phone to complete your digital offering. Guests, you are welcome to participate in supporting our ministry, but certainly do not feel obligated.

Take Action Cards | In your service folder, you will find Take Action Cards. If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment and fill it out completely to give us a record of your attendance. In addition, you may request prayers be said on your behalf today. Place your Take Action card in the offering plate as it comes around.

12 | Page Prayer of the Church

Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

13 | Page THE

Huntersville Lutheran practices close communion, which means biblical conversation and confession with our church beforehand. It is our desire to share in the eternal blessings of this Sacrament according to the instructions that God himself gives. If you are new to Huntersville Lutheran, please know that many of those around you were at one time new, too. And, as you can see by their presence, this preliminary discussion has only brought us closer together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper in the way he has prescribed. Contact our pastor at any time.

Introduction to the Lord’s Supper Everyone ought to examine their hearts before partaking of the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:28 C I confessed my transgressions to the Lord and he forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5 Everyone ought to recognize the true body and blood of the Lord in this Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:29 C The bread that we break and the cup that we bless are a participation in the body and blood of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Those partaking of the Lord’s Supper are to be united in fellowship as one body. C Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. 1 Corinthians 10:17

The Words of Institution 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 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 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.

14 | Page Lamb of God | Agnus Dei |

Distribution Please note: Out of an abundance of caution, we are taking extra health and safety measures for the distribution of the Lord’s Supper. Vicar and Pastor will sanitize their hands, put on gloves, and wear masks. The usher will be inviting a maximum of two individuals or family units to the front of the stage—one to the left and one to the right. Please do not remove your masks until you reach the front of the stage. When Vicar comes to with the bread, please hold out your hand and he will place it there. When Pastor comes around with the wine, please take a cup. After you have received Jesus’ body and blood, you are invited to return to your seats, disposing of your cup in the receptacle near the stage. After the congregation has communed, Pastor will speak the communion blessing over the entire congregation.

15 | Page BLESSING

Lord’s Blessing 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 give you peace. Numbers 6:24 C Amen.

16 | Page Song of Departure | In Christ Alone |

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18 | Page ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank You | You could have chosen to be anywhere this morning and you chose to spend it here, so thank you. To our guests and visitors this morning we pray that your time with us has been enjoyable. If you have any questions, feel free to speak with any of our members or pastor after the service.

A Look Ahead | Below are a few events coming up at HLC. Be sure to mark your calendars. ~Reformation Sunday: Sunday, November 1st ~Advent Dinner and Devotions: Wednesdays, December 9th and December 16th beginning at 7pm. They will take place at the church office. More information to follow. ~Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols: Sunday, December 20th at 9:30am. ~Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: December 24th at 5:00pm.

New Faithbuilders Course Starting Soon | On Tuesday, October 27th at 6:30pm, we will begin a new Faithbuilders Course. Faithbuilders is our path to membership, and is a great way you to get better aquainted with Huntersville Lutheran and what is taught here. Throughout the course of 8 classes, we dive into the basics of Biblical . If you are intersted in learning more, or simply want to review the basics, please speak to Pastor. He will be happy to get you more information.

Weekly Bible Study | Next week, we will continue our bible study on 1 Thessalonians called, “Chosen Rejects: Life and Hope in the Face of Persecution.” Join us at 9:30am. There will also be a special bible study for children!

Small Group Bible Study | has started. This devotional study takes about 20-minutes each day and gives you a reading, a devotion and a chance to share your thoughts with the others in the group. If you'd like to join us: • please download The Bible App for the app store on your phone or computer. (Icon looks like a bible) • send a friend request in the app to Mike Schaewe

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