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Messiah Lutheran Church
750 Rindge Road
Fitchburg, MA 01420
978-343-7397
Pastor Phil Alexander
978-514-3231
Pastor2p@gmail.com
Ed LaLiberte, Organist
WELCOME
WELCOME
Hymn: Be Thou My Vision
AUGUST 31, 2014
Divine Service – Setting Four - Hymnal p. 203
Psalm 26
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD,
proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.
I love the house where you live, O LORD,
the place where your glory dwells.
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.
Liturgy Continues - Hymnal p. 204
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Father, guide us according to your law of love. May we love one
another and come to your perfection in the eternal life prepared for
us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Reading: Jeremiah 15:15–21
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You understand, O LORD; remember me and care for me. Avenge me
on my persecutors. You are long-suffering—do not take me away; think
of how I suffer reproach for your sake. 16 When your words came, I ate
them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O
LORD God Almighty. 17 I never sat in the company of revelers, never
made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and
you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unending and my
wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive
brook, like a spring that fails? 19 Therefore this is what the LORD says: “If
you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter
worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this
people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. 20 I will make you a
wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you
but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,”
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declares the LORD. 21 “I will save you from the hands of the wicked and
redeem you from the grasp of the cruel.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Second Reading: Romans 12:9–21
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Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be
devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above
yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,
serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
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Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with
those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony
with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with
people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil
for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do
not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is
written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the
contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him
something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his
head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Standing together we sing the “Alleluia and verse” – p205
Please stand for the reading of Holy Gospel
Gospel according to St. Matthew the 16th Chapter.
Glory to You, O Lord.
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From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must
go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief
priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the
third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke
him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus
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turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling
block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things
of men.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after
me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For
whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for
me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole
world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his
soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his
angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has
done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste
death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew
16:21–28
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
HYMN: I Come, O Savior, to Thy Table
Hymnal: 618
SERMON
OFFERING
WELCOME PAD
(PLEASE HONOR US BY SIGNING OUR WELCOME PAD)
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
SERVICE OF THE SACRAMENT - p. 208
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THE SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
“SHOULD I COMMUNE OR NOT?”
Those who eat and drink Our Lord’s body and blood without understanding do so at great
harm. Holy Communion is a public confession of the faith confessed at this Altar, and
anyone not instructed by the Pastor, or who cannot positively answer the questions
below, should not partake in the Sacrament. Please do join us at the Altar for a blessing,
indicating your desire by simply crossing your hands over your heart.
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Do you understand that you are a sinner?
Are you sorry for your sins of thought, word and deed, and do you hope to
amend your sinful life with the help of the Holy Spirit?
Do you recognize the true bodily presence of the Lord Jesus in and with the
bread and wine?
Do you believe in Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin and death who died
on the cross so that you might be forgiven through faith in His merits?
“Non-Alcoholic Wine" - For those who are allergic to alcohol, we offer individual cups
of white grape juice in each tray.
Communion in your pew – If it is difficult for you to walk to the altar, the Elders will
serve you Communion where you are seated in the Pew. Please indicate your desire to be
served as the Elder approaches. It will be helpful for service if you are seated near the end
of the Pew.
Closing Hymn: I Love Your Kingdom, Lord
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Hymnal: 651
In Christ, for the Church and the World
Serving today
Serving next week September
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Acolyte
Adam Ross
Collin Burns
Reader
Barbara Sheridan
Mike Brennan
Communion
Asst.
Barbara Sheridan
Mike Brennan
Ushers
Rich & Rudy
Rich & Rudy
Communion
Cleaning
Joan Dow
Eila Eagle
Counters
Dave Haschig & Ruth
LeBlanc
Todd Peltonen & Sean Burns
Coffee
Fellowship
Volunteers
September Circle
THE ALTAR FLOWERS ARE DEDICATED TO THE GLORY OF GOD.
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND REQUEST:
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Frank Babineau, Dawn Campbell, Maddie Carrion, Sue
Devereaux, Richard Forkey, Eric Hague, Barbara Lahti, Connie
Lahti, Bob & Jean Pearson, Veikko Puputti, Elisha & Mackenzie
Rhinhart, Minna Talviharju – medical issues.
Little Daniel Savukoski, testing for genetic issues, not much is
known at this time other than his baby check-up did not go
well & testing & prayers are needed
The Bitondo Family in Ashby at the loss of 12 year old daughter
Katie.
Maureen Smith, recovering from a heart on 7/25 and had 2
stents inserted.
Jaana thanks everyone for their prayers, thoughtfulness and
kindness.
Rachel Crawford surgery went well please continue to prayer
for healing, comfort & encouragement.
Kristine Schneider cousin, Laura Teeter's fiancée, Brady Beck
has acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Michelle’s friend Tricia has had a recurrence of her cancer and
is in treatment.
Ann Lammi, undergoing treatment for cancer in her ear canal.
The Gbarnga Lutheran School Mission Project.
Marybeth, Pam & John Phillips’ friend, in addition to physical
needs, pray for her heart to be opened by the Holy Spirit to the
Gospel of Redemption in Jesus Christ.
Valerie, Dennis Lauricella’s sister – health issues.
Joan Babineau’s friend, Kelly diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal
cancer.
Kristen Peltonen - thank God for your prayers. The suspected
cancerous tumors turned out to be benign sacs of fluid. It
puzzled the doctors even after multiple biopsies. She does
have an inflamed pancreas and there was some bleeding in her
gastrointestinal tract, and a bout of pseudo gout in her knee.
Her foot and knee are healing (the cast came off this week),
the bleeding has stopped, and her pancreas is improving. She
got out of ICU this week and is looking forward to moving to a
rehab center on the Cape to get back on her feet, continue
rehabbing her foot, and regain her strength.
Jenny Carrion had surgery on Wednesday to remove the
kidney stone. The surgeon said they were able to get the
entire stone intact, was odd shaped and jagged. She is home
getting rest and feeling good
John & Sue Devereaux’s nephew, Peter Devereaux, passed
away on August 21st after a six year battle with breast cancer.
He was an incredible person and spent all of his time helping
others with cancer. Heaven has a new angel today.
Attendance :
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How we gave: $$2270
General Fund
$2215
Learning Center
$50
Missions
$0
Pineshore
$5.00
General Fund weekly goal: $3,200
Actual General Fund relative to weekly goal: ($985)
General Fund Year to Date Goal: ($108,800)
Actual General Fund Year to Date: ($18,853)
TODAY: August 31, 2014 – with Pastor Phil
8:30 am – Casual Worship
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Tuesday:
Thursday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Sunday:
9:30 am – Fellowship & Bible Study
10:30 am – Traditional Worship Service
September 2, 2014
6:00 pm – Quilters – fellowship hall
September 3, 2014
7:00 pm – NAMI – fellowship hall
September 6, 2014
9:00 am – Men’s Bible Study & LWML Guild
September 7, 2014 – with Pastor Phil
8:30 am – Finnish Worship
8:30 am – Casual Worship
9:30 am – Fellowship & Bible Study
10:30 am – Traditional Worship Service
September 14, 2014 – with Pastor Phil
SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – TIME TBD
8:30 am – Casual Worship
9:30 am – Fellowship, Sunday School & Bible Study
10:30 am – Traditional Worship Service
Our announcements, prayers list & calendar are available on our
website: www.messiahfitchburg.com
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