https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLPGaz2AloY

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST—September 10, 2023

ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH – LCMS   700 Main St.  P.O. Box 220   Clyman, WI  53016

Greatness before God is being humble before Him and all people!

Pastor Dan 1-(920)-341-2025   shepherdatzion@gmail.com

Bulletin Announcement email: zionclyman@gmail.com 

Guests.  Welcome to Zion.  We are glad to have you with us.  Please sign our guestbook located in the Narthex.  About Holy Communion:  We welcome to the Lord’s Table all who have repented of their sins and seek to amend their sinful life; all who believe that Jesus is truly present in, with, and under the bread and the wine; and all who believe that through the words “given and shed for you” forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given.  If this is your confession and you are a member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, then come with a thankful heart and join us.   If you are a visitor and would like to commune, please talk with Pastor Dan before the service.  To help in preparing to receive Holy Communion open the front cover of the Burgundy hymnal or turn to pages 329 & 330.  Gluten free wafers are available, please talk with an Elder or Pastor before the service if you would appreciate them.  

 AS WE GATHER  –   The Almighty God commanded Ezekiel to warn His people to turn from their sin, to live in His grace and presence.  That warning is for us, as we are just as unwilling to turn from our sin which makes us arrogant before God and others.  The same God who appointed Ezekiel as a watchman, allows others to be in authority over us, so we can live in peace before Him the one true God.  When we acknowledge His  authority over all things, we can become truly great before Him.  That happens when we humble ourselves before Him and others.  What gives us the ability to live in this way is His grace received through faith and as our Lord humbly comes to us- “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.”

Ringing of the Bell and Welcome

 Hymn  “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now”         LSB 902

Invocation – In the name of the Father and of the X Son and of the Holy Spirit.    Amen

 Opening Sentences Psalm 65:1–5a –    Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.     O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.     When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.     Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts!      We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.  You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior!   Alleluia!  Alleluia!   Amen

 Confession and Absolution – Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.     If You, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?  But with You there is forgiveness; therefore, You are feared.     Since we are gathered to hear God’s Word, call upon Him in prayer and praise, and receive the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of this altar, let us first consider our unworthiness and confess before God and one another that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and that we cannot free ourselves from our sinful condition.   Together as His people let us take refuge in the infinite mercy of God, our heavenly Father, seeking His grace for the sake of Christ, and saying:  God be merciful to me, a sinner.  Almighty God, have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, and lead us to everlasting life.  Amen.

Almighty God, merciful Father, in Holy Baptism You declared us to be Your children and gathered us into Your one, holy church, in which You daily and richly forgive us our sins and grant us new life through Your Spirit.  Be in our midst, enliven our faith, and graciously receive our prayer and praise; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen

Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you, and for His sake, forgives you all your sins.  As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen

Psalm 32:1–7 –  All: Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Men: Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.  Women:  When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  Men: For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.  All: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”  and you forgave the guilt of my sin.  Women: Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found;
Men: surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.  All: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Salutation – The Lord be with you.   And also with you.  Amen

 Prayer of the Day – O God, from whom all good proceeds, grant to us, Your humble servants, Your holy inspiration, that we may set our minds on the things that are right and, by Your merciful guiding, accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament Reading   Ezekiel 33:7–11    (Ezekiel – God’s prophet to warn God’s people so they can live )

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.  When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.  But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.  “Son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘This is what you are saying: “Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them. How then can we live?”‘  Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn!  Turn from your evil ways!  Why will you die, O house of Israel?’

Epistle  Romans 13:1–10  (Paul shares that all authority is from God)     Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.  Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority?  Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God’s servant to do you good.  But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.  He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.  Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.  The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Love does no harm to its neighbor.  Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Gradual and Verse   Psalm 34:9, 19 alt.; Matthew 5:3 – Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing!      Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.  Alleluia. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Alleluia.

 Holy Gospel           Matthew 18:1–20    (Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God?)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  He called a little child and had him stand among them.  And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.    Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.    “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.   But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.   “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin!  Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!   If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away.   It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.   And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away.   It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.   “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.   For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.   “What do you think?   If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?    And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.   In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.   “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you.  If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.   But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’   If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.   “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.  “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.   For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the eighteenth chapter.       Glory to You, O Lord.  This is the Gospel of the Lord.   Praise to You, O Christ.

Nicene Creed –  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 worshiped 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 X of the world to come.    Amen.

Hymn  “’As Surely as I Live,’ God Said”              LSB 614

Sermon

 Prayers of the Church

The 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.

We Gather our Tithes and Offerings

 Service of the Sacrament  

Preface   2 Timothy 4:22 –   The Lord be with you.  And also with you.  Lift up your hearts.  We lift them to the Lord.  Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

Proper Preface    It is truly good, right, and proper that we should give thanks to You, merciful Father, for in Your goodness You have given Your only-begotten Son for our salvation.  Through Your Holy Spirit, allow us to live according to Your will and cover us with Your mercy at all times and in all places.  Grant that we may receive the body and blood of our Lord as a guarantee of our salvation and as a foretaste of the feast to come in Your heavenly kingdom.  To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and praise, together with the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.    Amen

Sanctus                                                                           LSB 208

Prayer of Thanksgiving – Blessed are You, O Lord of heaven and earth. We bless You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to grant us the assurance of our sins being forgiven, and eternal life reserved for us in heaven.  O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment.  Strengthen our faith and keep us in that faith until that day when we see you face to face.  Amen

The Words of Our Lord – Consecration of the Elements

Proclamation of Christ   1 Corinthians 11:26; Revelation 22:20 –   As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.    Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.     

Pax Domini – The peace of the Lord be with you always.   And also with you.  Amen.

Agnus Dei                                                                     LSB 210

We Celebrate our Lord’s Supper

Distribution Hymns:  “Lord Jesus, Think on Me”  LSB 610    “Children of the Heavenly Father”  LSB 725      “Lord God, to Thee We Give All Praise”  LSB 522

Post-Communion Canticle

Nunc Dimittis                                                                  LSB 211

Post-Communion Thanksgiving – Gracious Lord Jesus Christ, giver of every good gift, You alone are worthy to receive the devotion of our hearts and the dedication of our lives.  We thank You for having refreshed us at Your Table.  By the working of Your Holy Spirit within us, lead us to be people who faithfully offer to You the best of all that we have, and all that we are with thankfulness and joy. This we ask in Your name, as our loving Savior.     Amen.

Benediction      Numbers 6:24–26 – The Lord bless you and keep you.  The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.  The Lord look upon you with favor and  X give you peace.          Amen.

Hymn:  “God Bless our Native Land”                 LSB 965

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*Announcements*

From the Board of Stewardship and Evangelism:    Matthew 18:4 – “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” What does it mean to have childlike faith? Certainly Jesus does not want us to have a faith that is childish — we are not called to ignorance or silliness. Rather, we are called to trust the way a child trusts: with complete confidence in the Father. We show that confidence in our lives when we follow His directives for our life. Father knows best, so we’ll take His advice!

The Pewpoint – THEME OF THE DAY- Living as Humble Little Children of the Father – True greatness is not self-sufficient strength, but humility like that of a little child. The greatness of childlike faith receives all good things as gracious gifts from our Father in heaven. Apart from such faith, “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” but whoever is humbled like a little child will be “the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3–4). Though in our sin we deserve to be “drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6), we have instead been drowned (“buried”) with Christ in Baptism and then raised to the new, humble life of a child of God. The Lord sends His watchman to warn us with a word from His mouth, in order that we may not die in our iniquity but be turned from our pride and selfishness to live (Ezek. 33:7–9). Thus, we live in humility and faith before God as well as in love for our neighbor, which “is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:10). In the reverent fear of God, we do no harm to our neighbor, but we “pay to all what is owed to them” (Rom. 13:7) and we “owe no one anything, except to love each other” (Rom. 13:8).

YES IN CHRIST  —  Saying Yes With Our Treasures    Needed per week to make budget: $3,072                 Sunday Envelopes $1,555   Plate $60  Cemetery Memorial: Eli Dornfeld $ 50   Lee Weisjohn $25

Attendance:  Sunday Service:  40  Communed:   38   Mid-Week Service: 13   Communed:   12

Brothers and sisters in Christ to lift up in prayer!  

• Penny Huebner for healing after her surgery.
• Jeremy, a friend of Ron and Dee Dee who is in 2nd stage pancreatic cancer.
• Those in our congregation who are facing health challenges and recovering from surgeries

Deanne Gochanour letter has been received and copies are in the narthex and back of church

Wish these members a Blessed and Happy Birthday

Kris K	9/10
Ricky S	9/11
Christian N	9/13
Martin P	9/13
Jaxon S	9/15
Jason J	9/22
Douglas R	9/23
Daniel C	9/25
Michael Z	9/28
Dawn P	9/28
Mae S	9/28

Happy Anniversary to these couples!

 

Kasandra & Jeff M	9/14
Paul & Lori P	9/16
Tim & Mary D	9/17
Quendin & Lana S	9/20
Robert & Marilyn S	9/21
Dick & Nancy B	9/29

 Bread and Roses! September 21^st! –  If you would like to help by providing individual desserts, Dinner buns, or working that evening, please consider it and sign up in the Narthex.  This is what our members need to provide.  1)  4-6 Adults from 3:30pm-6pm   2)  225- prepackaged Dinner rolls   3) 225- prepackaged desserts- bars, cookies etc.  4) Prayers for those this meal helps, nourishes, and shows the love of Christ to.   Thank you for your help and willingness to show God’s love to those less fortunate!       If donating and you are not serving, please make arrangements with someone who is serving to get donations to Bread & Roses.

DATE CHANGE –   The next day for quilting is September 14th

11am to 2pm – all are welcome to join in the fun.