Thanksgiving Eve Vespers Wednesday, November 25, 2020 7:00pm

1 We Welcome You to Messiah Lutheran Church

IF YOU ARE A GUEST WITH US THIS EVENING, please stop by our Guest Information Desk in the Lobby, and pick up an information packet about Messiah, including a map of our campus. Greeters will be glad to assist you with any questions you may have about your visit. We want to get to know you better! If you have no church home, we invite you to become part of the family of God here at Messiah. At 9:45am on Sundays, we offer “Meet Messiah”, an informal class where you can ask questions about Messiah, get a tour of the campus, and meet some wonderful and friendly members.

THE LORD'S SUPPER TONIGHT As You come to the Lord's Supper, you are affirming with each communicant that Jesus is your Savior and Lord, that with Lutheran Christians, you believe His Body and Blood are present and you desire to serve Him as a dynamic disciple in the fellowship of all believers. Our Holy practice is called "CLOSE" communion, not "CLOSED" communion. "Close" communion invites all those who answer the following questions in the affirmative. We DO seek to help each visitor and member, to prepare for the celebration of the . If you have not communed with us before, or if you cannot answer yes to the questions below, please speak to our Pastor or an Elder before communing.

1. Have I been baptized in the name of the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit? 2. 2. Do I believe that I am a sinful human being without hope of eternal life except for God's mercy in Christ? 3. Do I believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son and my personal Savior from sin, death, and the power of the devil? 4. Do I believe that Jesus Christ is personally present in the Sacrament of Holy Communion with His true Body and Blood? 5. Do I intend, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to live a Godly life?

At Messiah, Communion is distributed in a manner whereby the individual cup, followed by the common cup, are offered at the same table. Communicants seated in the middle sections of the Sanctuary proceed to the first, standing behind the usher. Then the communicants in the side sections will proceed to the altar, also standing behind the usher. This will provide a prayerful setting surrounding the significance of receiving Christ's body and blood.

A wine that has been chemically treated to remove all alcohol and sulfites is offered in clear glasses in the individual trays. Gluten-free wafers are available at the usher tables in the back.

Serving in the Lord’s House Tonight PREACHER Vicar Matt Lee

LITURGIST Rev. Dr, Victor Kollmann ELDERS David Rohde ORGANIST Teresa Logue SOUND MIXER Bill Swan 2 THE ORDER OF VESPERS THE GREETING THE HYMN OF INVOCATION “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

3 P: O Lord, open my lips.

P: Make haste, O God, to deliver me.

4 THE PSALMODY Psalm 67 P: May the peoples praise You, O God; may all the peoples praise You! C: May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You rule the people justly and guide the nations of the earth. P: Then the land will yield its harvest and God will bless us. C: God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him.

THE SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:6-20 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the , when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

P: But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Thanks be to God.

THE C: I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets, and I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THE SERMON HYMN “We Praise Thee, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator”

6 THE SERMON

THE

THE OFFERING PRAYER

THE OFFERING

7 THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH P: Let my prayer be set before You as incense: C: And the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. P: For the tender love You show Your whole creation, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. C: For the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the homes in which we live, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. P: For our families, for husbands and wives, and especially children with their joy and their trust, for grandparents and grandchildren, for aunts and uncles, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. C: For the fields and their harvest, for farmers and their labors, for the good earth and all its bounty, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. P: For our nation and all its people, and for the freedoms we enjoy, especially for the freedom to worship You in peace, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. C: For the sufferings that come upon us and for the reminder they bring of the one thing needful, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. P: Above all, for the incarnation of our Lord, for His suffering and death, for His glorious resurrection, and for the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, we give You thanks, and bless Your holy name. C: You are indeed blessed and holy and worthy of all honor and praise, O Father Almighty, O only-begotten Son, O Spirit of Holiness. To You alone do we give all glory, now and ever and unto the ages of ages! Amen.

THE P: 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 praise. P: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:

THE

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THE LORD'S PRAYER 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.

9 CHRISTIAN QUESTIONS WITH THEIR ANSWERS Prepared by Dr. Martin Luther for those who intend to go to the Sacrament.

P: Do you believe that you are a sinner? C: Yes, I believe it. I am a sinner. P: How do you know this? C: From the Ten Commandments, which I have not kept. P: Are you sorry for your sins? C: Yes, I am sorry that I have sinned against God. P: What have you deserved from God because of your sins? C: His wrath and displeasure, temporal death, and eternal damnation. P: Do you hope to be saved? C: Yes, that is my hope. P: In whom then do you trust? C: In my dear Lord Jesus Christ. P: Who is Christ? C: The Son of God, true God and man. P: What has Christ done for you that you trust in Him? C: He died for me and shed His blood for me on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. P: How do you know this? C: From the holy Gospel, from the words instituting the Sacrament, and by His body and blood given me as a pledge in the Sacrament. P: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: "Take eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me." In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: "Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Do you believe, then, that the true body and are in the Sacrament? C: Yes, I believe it. P: What convinces you to believe this? C: The Word of Christ: “Take, eat, this is My body; drink of it, all of you, this is My blood.” P: What should we do when we eat His body and drink His blood, and in this way receive His pledge? C: We should remember and proclaim His death and the shedding of His blood, as He taught us: “This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

10 THE

11 THE COMMUNION If you are a guest with us this evening and would like to commune, please read the article on page 2 before communing with us. If you are unable to kneel, please feel free to stand at the communion rail. Thank you.

THE COMMUNION HYMNS “Praise to God, Immortal Praise”

12 “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

13 “God Bless Our Native Land”

14 “Christ, By Heavenly Hosts Adored”

15 THE NUNC DIMITTIS

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THE SALUTATION P: The Lord be with you.

THE FOR PEACE P: O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed, give unto Your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey Your commandments, and also that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may live our lives in rest and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end.

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THE BENEDICAMUS AND BENEDICTION P: Bless we the Lord.

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

THE SILENT PRAYER O Lord, we pray that You care for all those who are dear to us though far away. Grant also that all the world may turn to You as their God, and to Christ as their Savior, so that we may all live here in peace and friendship, and hereafter with You in heaven. Amen.

18 THE CLOSING HYMN “Now Thank We All Our God”

19 Messiah Lutheran Church 1801 West Plano Parkway  Plano, Texas 75075

 Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary: 8:30 & 11:00AM (Holy Communion every 2nd and 4th Sunday)

 Sunday School & Adult Bible Class: 9:45-10:40AM

 Wednesday Worship in the Chapel 7:00PM

Church Office: 972-398-7500 Lambs’ Early Childhood Center Office: 972-398-7560

Rev. Dr. Victor J. Kollmann, Senior Pastor Rev. James Otte, Associate Pastor Vicar Matt Lee, DCE for Youth/Music/Tech Amy Myers, Lambs' ECC Director Ellen Thorne, Celebration Ministries Dorothy Sherrod, Music Ministries Amy Plenger, Children’s Ministries Don Johnson, Property Ministries Kathy Mardis, Executive Administrative Secretary Kim Johnson, Administrative Assistant Toby Meeks, Sports and Recreation Ministries Cyndi Scruggs, Receptionist Carmen Rowan, Gift Shop Manager

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.messiahlutheran.com

A Congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod 

With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will share God’s light as we:

Gladly enter God’s House weekly (Worship) —Psalm 122:1 Listen for God’s voice. (Discipleship-Bible Study, Quiet Time, Prayer)— John 10:27 Open my heart and hands to serve God. (Ministry) —1 Samuel 12:24 Wholeheartedly love God and my neighbor. (Evangelism/Fellowship-Outreach) —Luke 10:27

GLOW and GO!

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