Psalms of Comfort for the End Times Psalm 46

End Times 1: Sunday November 1, 2020

1 Lamb of God Evangelical Lutheran Church 4925 Sunbury Rd, Columbus, OH 43230 www.LambofGodColumbus.org 614-471-5164

Pastor Thomas Meissner Mobile: 614-779-4744 Email: [email protected]

End Times 1: Reformation – November 1, 2020

WELCOME TO WORSHIP

Members: If you’re a Lamb of God member, welcome to you! If you’re attending online, would you please check- in by texting “Family” to 614-860-5806 or by sending pastor an email. Thanks!

Guests: We are so glad you are here! Welcome! Would you please take a moment to fill that out a digital connect card so we can continue to stay in touch? Text “Hello” to 614-860-5806. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to ask. And do let us know how we can pray for you! We want to stay connected to Jesus and each other. Here you are family. God bless your worship with us and God bless you!

Parents: Thank you for bringing your children to worship today! Jesus welcomes all to come to him for blessing even when we’re connected across distance like this. Help your children learn when it is time to sing and pray and when it is time to be quiet and listen to God’s Word. And don’t be too hard on them or yourself. Talk with them about what we’re doing and why. Help them understand and apply God’s Word to their lives. We’re in this together with you. God bless your worship and your godly calling as a parent!

Seasonal Color: Green, this color signifies spiritual life, growth and fulfillment (foliage and ripening fruit—Jesus is the vine and we are the branches vitally connected to Him).

Today’s Service Theme: It feels more and more like we are living in the End Times, doesn’t it? Pandemics rage, political leaders rant, fights and violence erupts almost every day, and God’s Word is disregarded and set on the shelf by many. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be overwhelmed. Jesus is coming. Jesus is here--for you. Jesus is our mighty fortress.

Our Mission: Rooted in Christ’s love, we are devoted to growing together in God’s Word and to proclaiming Christ in our community and world.

SERVICE OF THE WORD

OPENING Oh, that I Had a Thousand Voices CW 194:1-3

1) Oh, that I had a thousand voices To praise my God tender, For all the daily joys I find So richly spread with thousand tongues! My heart, which in the Lord on ev'ry side And freely for my use supplied. rejoices, Would then proclaim in grateful songs To 3) I praise you, Savior, whose compassion Has brought all, wherever I might be, What great things God has you down to ransom me. Your pitying heart sought done for me. my salvation; You bore the cross triumphantly, 2) Dear Father, endless praise I render For soul and Brought me from bondage full release, Made me body, nobly joined; I praise you, Guardian kind and your own, and gave me peace.

2 INVOCATION

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

M: I will put my law in their minds and I will write it on their hearts. C: I will be their God and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:33)

CONFESSION OF SINS M: We have come into the presence of God, who created us to love and serve him as his dear children. But we have disobeyed him and deserve only his wrath and punishment. Therefore, let us confess our sins to him and plead for his mercy. C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

ABSOLUTION M: God, our heavenly Father, has forgiven all your sins. By the perfect life and innocent death of our Lord Jesus Christ, he has removed your guilt forever. You are his own dear child. May God give you strength to live according to his will. C: Amen.

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us praise the Lord.

SONG OF PRAISE Oh, Taste and See

THE WORD

PRAYER OF THE DAY M: Let us pray. Gracious Lord, our refuge and strength, pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your Word, protect and comfort them in all temptations, defend them against all their enemies, and bestow on the Church

3 your saving peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen.

FIRST LESSON Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23

10Now, when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went to his house. It had windows on its upper story that opened toward . Three times each day he would get on his knees and pray and offer praise before his God. He continued to do that, just as he had been doing before this. 11Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and seeking favor from his God. 12They then went and asked the king about the decree. “Your Majesty, did you not sign a decree that anyone who prays to any god or person for thirty days except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the den of lions?” The king answered, “Indeed I did. The order is established as a law of the Medes and the Persians that cannot be revoked.” 16Then the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.” 17A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the pit. The king sealed it with his signet ring and the signet rings of his nobles so that nothing could be changed with regard to Daniel’s situation. 18Then the king went to his palace. He spent the night without food, and no entertainment was brought before him. But he could not sleep. 19At dawn the king arose as soon as it was light and hurried to the lions’ den. 20As he came near the pit, he cried out in a fearful voice. The king said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you serve continually, able to rescue you from the lions?” 21Then Daniel spoke with the king. “Your Majesty, may you live forever! 22My God sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions. They have not hurt me because he found me innocent in his presence. Also before you, Your Majesty, I have committed no crime.” 23Then the king was very glad and said that Daniel should be brought up from the pit. So Daniel was brought up from the pit, and he was unharmed because he trusted in his God.

PSALM OF THE DAY Psalm 46, p.84

Refrain: The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

God is our re | fuge and strength,* an ever-present help in | trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth give way* and the mountains fall into the heart | of the sea, though its waters | roar and foam* and the mountains quake with their | surging.

Refrain: The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

There is a river whose streams make glad the ci | ty of God,* the holy place where the Most | High dwells.

God is within her, she | will not fall;* God will help her at | break of day.

“Be still, and know that | I am God;* I will be exalted among the nations,

4 I will be exalted | in the earth.”

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.

Refrain: The mighty Lord is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.

SECOND LESSON Galatians 5:1–6

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not allow anyone to put the yoke of slavery on you again. 2Look, I, Paul, tell you that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3I testify again to every man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obligated to do the whole law. 4You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law are completely separated from Christ. You have fallen from grace. 5Indeed, through the Spirit, we by faith are eagerly waiting for the sure hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision matters. Rather, it is faith working through love that matters.

VERSE OF THE DAY John 8:31-32

Alleluia. If you remain in my Word, you are really my disciples. You will also know the truth, and the truth will set you free. Alleluia.

PLEASE STAND FOR THE WORDS AND WORKS OF JESUS.

GOSPEL Matthew 10:16–23

16“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17Be on guard against people. They will hand you over to councils, and they will whip you in their synagogues. 18You will be brought into the presence of governors and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19Whenever they hand you over, do not be worried about how you will respond or what you will say, because what you say will be given to you in that hour. 20In fact you will not be the ones speaking, but the Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you. 5 21“Brother will hand over his brother to death, and a father will do the same with his child. Children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22You will be hated by all people because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved. 23And when they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Amen I tell you: You will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.”

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord!

HYMN OF THE DAY A Mighty Fortress Is Our God CW 200

1) A mighty fortress is our God, A trusty shield 3) Though devils all the world should fill, All and weapon; He helps us free from ev'ry need eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no That has us now o'ertaken. The old evil foe Now ill; They shall not overpow'r us. This world's means deadly woe; Deep guile and great might prince may still Scowl fierce as he will, He can Are his dread arms in fight; On earth is not his harm us none. He's judged; the deed is done! equal. One little word can fell him.

2) With might of ours can naught be done; Soon 4) The Word they still shall let remain, Nor any were our loss effected. But for us fights the thanks have for it; He's by our side upon the valiant one Whom God himself elected. You plain With his good gifts and Spirit. And do ask, "Who is this?" Jesus Christ it is, The what they will -- Hate, steal, hurt, or kill -- almighty Lord. And there's no other God; He Though all may be gone, Our victory is won; holds the field forever. The kingdom's ours forever!

SERMON Psalm 46

Jesus is Our Mighty Fortress!

CONFESSION OF FAITH Apostle’s Creed

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.

6 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.

OFFERING Our members have joined together in faith and love to do the Lord’s work in this community and around the world. Guests need not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry. To give online, scan the QR code to the right with your phone, or use the link on the top menu bar of the church webpage. As the Lord leads us all to respond to his Gospel we invite you to pray: Thank you, Lord, for making us members of your kingdom and calling us to be tenants in your vineyard. Help us to remember that you are the owner of the vineyard, the Lord of our lives, and we are responsible to you. Renew us by your Word and make us obedient and productive, serving you and other people. Amen. And remember: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

FAREWELL TO DEBBIE LAMNECK

Lord of the Church, we thank you for Debbie Lamneck and for our fellowship together in this congregation. As you blessed her here, so we ask you to bless her in her new congregation in Florida. As she served you here and has been a blessing to us, so we now send her forth to be a blessing to others. Keep her and Tom safe on their journey, and give them joy and contentment as they establish themselves in their new home, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYERS

Lord, our refuge and strength, we worship you and praise your name for your ongoing work of reformation in your Church. Lord, to you alone be glory.

God of grace, in unfathomable love you pitied us sinners and sent your Son Jesus as our substitute to deliver us from sin, guilt, death, darkness, and despair. For your grace, Lord, to you alone be glory.

Your grace you sent your Spirit to call us to repentance. Your powerful gospel rescued us from rebellion and fills us with faith in you, the true and living God. For saving faith, Lord, to you alone be glory.

By your grace, we are heirs of your eternal Word and trustees of the inspired Scriptures, through which you proclaim your saving truth to every generation. By the Scriptures you overthrew the darkness of those who perverted your teachings and restored to your Church the message of salvation by grace alone. For the Holy Scriptures, Lord, to you alone be glory.

In these last days, Lord Jesus Christ, protect your little flock. We are like sheep living among fierce wolves. Satan stalks us like a roaring lion. Defend us from false teachers who twist your Word to satisfy the latest longing. For wisdom and watchfulness under attack, hear our prayer, O Lord.

7 Never in the history of the world has your Holy Word been so accessible. Pour out your Spirit and fill us with zeal to treasure your Word with lives of faithful Bible study and witness. For the noble character to search the Scriptures daily, hear our prayer, O Lord.

As we celebrate the Reformation that restored your pure gospel to your Church, we also celebrate our common confession of the gospel in Word and Sacrament here in Columbus, across our beloved Wisconsin Synod (WELS) and throughout the world in the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference (CELC). For this unity of faith, we give you thanks, O Lord.

We remember the faithful confessors of this and former generations, who have passed down to us your Word of Truth. For these faithful servants, we give you thanks, O Lord.

Mighty and eternal God, we beg your grace that our lives may be ordered by your commands, and we ask you to bless those who govern us in your name. Bless our president, the Congress, our governor, the legislature and all local officials, that pursuing the path of justice they may act with humility and honor for the good of all people. Give wisdom to all who vote this week, and bless its result. That our nation may elect our leaders peacefully and orderly, hear our prayer, O Lord.

In thanksgiving for the many and amazing blessings restored to your Church through the Reformation, and for the ongoing reformation and sanctification you bring about by your Spirit working through your Word in Law and Gospel, we praise your name and we commit ourselves to your care. Be our mighty fortress, our trusty shield and weapon, O Lord, and hear us as we also pray,

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.

HYMN Salvation unto Us Has Come CW 390:1-4

1) Salvation unto us has come By God's free grace and 3) It is a false, misleading dream That God his law has favor. Good works cannot avert our doom; They given That sinners can themselves redeem And by help and save us never. Faith looks to Jesus Christ their works gain heaven. The law is but a mirror alone, Who did for all the world atone; He is the one bright To bring the inbred sin to light That lurks Redeemer. within our nature.

2) What God does in his law demand And none to him 4) Yet as the law must be fulfilled Or we must die can render, Brings wrath and woe on ev'ry hand For despairing, Christ came and has God's anger stilled, man, the vile offender. Our flesh has not those pure Our human nature sharing. He has for us the law desires The spirit of the law requires, And lost is our obeyed And thus the Father's vengeance stayed condition. Which over us impended.

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CLOSING PRAYER M O Lord God, our heavenly Father, pour out the Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep us strong in your grace and truth, protect and comfort us in all temptation, and bestow on us your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

BLESSING M Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness. 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.

CLOSING HYMN O Christ, Who Called the Twelve CW 770

1) O Christ, who called the Twelve To rise and follow nearer reign of God: Send us on ways where faith you, Forsaking old, familiar ways For ventures bold Transcends timidity, Where love informs and hope and new: Grant us to hear your call To risk security sustains Both life and ministry. And, bound in heart and will to you, Find perfect liberty. 4) O Christ, th’apostles’ Lord, The martyrs strength and song, The crucified and risen King To whom the 2) O Christ, who called the Twelve The truth for ages saints belong: Though generations pass, Our tribute sealed, Whose words and works awakened faith, The still we bring, Our a sacrifice of praise, Our ways of God revealed: Instruct us now, we pray, By lives an offering. your empow’ring Word. True teacher, be for all who seek Their light, their life, their Lord.

3) O Christ, who sent the Twelve On roads they’d never trod To serve, to suffer, teach, proclaim The

Acknowledgments: All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version® (EHV®) copyright © 2019 The Wartburg Project. All rights reserved. www.wartburgproject.org. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, Text and Tune: public domain. *Setting: c 1970 by Bärenreiter-Verlag; reprinted by permission. Music reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-721031. Unless otherwise indicated, materials contained herein are public domain.

9 COMING UP NEXT SUNDAY: NOVEMBER 8

9:00 am – Christian Education Hour (online and in-person]

Sunday School on YouTube: Ahab and Jezebel 1 Kings 16:29-33; 17:1

Adult Bible Study: Acts 18 The Gospel Comes to Corinth at the end of the 2nd Missionary Journey”

10:30 am - Divine Service with Communion

End Times 2 – Last Judgment Sunday

Psalms of Comfort for the End Times

Serving at Lamb of God leading up to today October 26 – November 1 Lamb of God Evangelical Lutheran Church is a member of the Accompanist: Rhea Franks Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Bible Study Leader: Chen Synod. Bulletin Assembly: Fran Woodruff For more information, visit Cleaning: Gongwer Family www.wels.net or Counters: David Chen www.LambofGodColumbus.org. Live-Stream Camera: Andy Hensler Ushers: David Chen & Dave Szczublewski

THIS WEEK AT LAMB OF GOD

Sunday 11/1/20 9:00am Christian Education Hour – Acts 17 10:30am Divine Service Monday 11/2/20 Tuesday 11/3/20 All Day LOG serves as Neighborhood Voting Location

Wednesday 11/4/20 10:00am Bible Study – James 2 6:30pm Zoom Sunday School – Exodus 19 & 20 6:30pm Basic Bible Christianity – New Member Class Thursday 11/5/20 Friday 11/6/20 Saturday 11/7/20 10:00am Catechism Sunday 11/8/20 9:00am Christian Education Hour – Acts 18

10:30am Divine Service with Communion

10 “The Word is very near you…” God encourages reading and meditation upon his Word. Jesus wants you to grow by means of it. If you find it helpful to use pen or pencil to do so, here is some space for that. Younger worshippers especially are encouraged to draw and then talk about it.

NOTES: Law: How does this Word of God condemn my heart and make me tremble?

Gospel: How does this Word of God make me glad? What specific mercy does it offer me?

Something for the Journey: What am I going to take with me into my callings this week?

Something to share: What am I going to share from today’s Word of God, and with whom?

Something to pray: What does this Word of God lead me to pray?

Catechism Corner As the head of the family should teach them in the simplest way to those in his household. The Institution of Baptism First: What is Baptism? Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God's command and connected with God's Word. Which is that Word of God? Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!"

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