LOVE    

SPEAKS      

       

UNCONDITIONALLY        

LIVING  SAVIOR  LUTHERAN  CHURCH  2650  Lithia  Pinecrest  Road,  Valrico  V  813/681-­‐2375  

Facebook:  Facebook.com/LivingSaviorValrico  Website:  LivingSaviorValrico.org  

Sunday  School/Bible  Class  9:00  AM  V  Sunday  Worship  10:00  AM  Pastor  Christopher  Kruschel  

Member  of  the  Wisconsin  Evangelical  Lutheran  Synod    

October  6,  2013  

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elcome  to  Our  Guests  Good  morning!    We  welcome  you  this  morning  as  

we  stand  in  awe  in  the  glory  and  power  of  our  gracious  Lord  and  Savior!     As   renewed   and   restored  Children   of  God,  we   certainly  consider   it   a   privilege   to   worship   the   living   Lord   with   you   this  morning.     If   you   have   any   questions   regarding   our   Sunday  services,  Bible  classes  or  various  programs,  please  speak  with  the  pastor  or  call  the  church  office.    We  look  forward  to  meeting  you.    Please  come  again  and  worship  with  us  very  soon!    Some  notes:  

� Restrooms   are   located   in   sanctuary   entry   way   just  opposite  the  “Quiet  Room.”  

� Parents  with   small   children:  We   have   reserved   the   last  two  rows  for  your  convenience.  Children’s  bulletins,  which  provide  activities  pertaining  to  this  morning’s  lessons,  are  also  available  from  the  ushers.  

� Quiet  Room:   If   you  have  a  young  child  or  nursing   infant  and  are  in  need  of  a  Quiet  Room,  you  will  find  it  to  the  left  as  soon  as  you  exit  the  sanctuary.  A  speaker  there  allows  you  to  hear  the  service.      

______________________  

   

Love  Speaks  Unconditionally    

In   today’s   readings,   Micah   wonders   at   this   God   that   loves   the  sinner,  Luke  records  Jesus’  love  of  the  sinner  Zacchaeus,  and  our  epistle  text  celebrates  the  reconciliation  won  while  we  “were  still  sinners.”    Love  speaks  unconditionally  because  that  is  the  kind  of  love  we’ve  been  shown.    

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GREETING    Stand    

INVOCATION    

M:   In  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  (†)  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  

C:   Amen.      

INVOCATION    

M:   Our  God  has  proclaimed  his  name,  “the  LORD.”    He  declares  himself  the  compassionate  and  gracious  God,  

C:   slow  to  anger,  abounding  in  love  and  faithfulness,  

M:   maintaining  love  to  thousands,  

C:   and  forgiving  wickedness,  rebellion,  and  sin.  

M:   It  is  to  the  glory  of  the  LORD  that  sinners  learn  of  his  gracious  name,   trust   in   it,   and   become   living   demonstrations   of   it   in  action  toward  others.  

C:   May  the  LORD  use  this  hour  of  worship  to  lead  me  to  claim  his  name  for  my  own  blessing  and  to  hallow  his  name  in  my  life  by  speaking  in  unconditional  love  to  others.  

   

GATHERING  RITE    

 

 

   

  Text, Tune, Setting: public domain.

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CONFESSION  OF  SINS    

M:   Gracious  Lord,  we  are  part  of  a  world  of  sinners  who  daily  sin  much.    We  confess  the  times  we  have  hurt  others  when  they  have   sinned   against   us.     We   confess   the   times   we   have  withheld  your  unconditional  love  in  situations  where  you  tell  us  to  proclaim  and  show  it.    We  confess  the  times  when  our  words   and   actions   imply   there   are   conditions   attached   to  your   love.     We   realize   that   such   sins   also   deny   the   very  foundation   of   our   faith:   that   you   are   the   Savior   of   sinners.    For  these  and  all  our  sins,  we  pray:  Lord,  have  mercy  on  me,  a  sinner.  

   

GATHERING  RITE    

How  well  you  know  my  griefs  and  fears,  Your  grace  abused,  my  misspent  years;  So  now  to  you  with  contrite  tears,  Christ  crucified,  I  come.    

Wash  me  and  take  away  each  stain;  Let  nothing  of  my  sin  remain.  For  cleansing  through  your  cross  and  pain,  Christ  crucified,  I  come.    Text:  Genevieve  M.  Irons,  1855–1928,  alt.  Public  domain.  

   

ANNOUNCEMENT  OF  GOD’S  UNCONDITIONAL  FORGIVENESS    

M:   God  did  not  wait  to  send  his  Son  for  you  until  you  deserved  it.  In  love,  he  has  not  treated  you  as  your  sins  deserve.  He  gave  us  his  Son,  even  to  death  on  the  cross  for  you.  This  is  his  great  and  unconditional   love  by  which  you  are   forgiven.  Christ  has  died!  Christ  is  risen!  Christ  will  come  again!  Hear  the  comfort  of   Christ   through   the   apostle   Peter:   “Once   you   were   not   a  people,  but  now  you  are  the  people  of  God;  once  you  had  not  received  mercy,  but  now  you  have  received  mercy.”  In  Christ,  then,   let   us   leave   our   selfish   and   conditional   ways   and   live  

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lives   of   love   to   his   glory   and   praise!     Therefore,   by   his  authority,  I  forgive  you  all  your  sins,  in  the  name  of  the  Father  and  of  the  Son  (†)  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  

C:   Amen.      

GATHERING  RITE    

O  God  of  mercy,  God  of  might,  In  love  and  mercy  infinite,  Teach  us,  as  ever  in  your  sight,  To  live  our  lives  to  you.    

You  sent  your  Son  for  all  to  die  That  fallen  man  might  live  thereby.  Oh,  hear  us,  for  to  you  we  cry  In  hope,  O  Lord,  to  you.    

Teach  us  the  lesson  Jesus  taught:  To  feel  for  those  his  blood  has  bought,  That  ev’ry  deed  and  word  and  thought  May  work  a  work  for  you.    

And  may  your  Holy  Spirit  move  All  those  who  live  to  live  in  love  Till  you  receive  in  heav’n  above  All  those  who  lived  for  you.    Text:  Godfrey  Thring,  1823–1903,  alt.  Public  domain.  

   

PRAYER  OF  THE  DAY    

M:   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  

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 THE  WORD  

 FIRST  LESSON                                      Micah  7:18-­‐20    

Micah  celebrates  God’s  unconditional  love  by  which  we  have  complete  forgiveness.    

  Who  is  a  God  like  you,    who  pardons  sin  and  forgives  the  transgression    of  the  remnant  of  his  inheritance?    

You  do  not  stay  angry  forever    but  delight  to  show  mercy.    

  You  will  again  have  compassion  on  us;    you  will  tread  our  sins  underfoot    and  hurl  all  our  iniquities  into  the  depths  of  the  sea.    

  You  will  be  true  to  Jacob,    and  show  mercy  to  Abraham,    

as  you  pledged  on  oath  to  our  fathers    in  days  long  ago.    

   PSALM  OF  THE  DAY                              89    

   

   

I  will  sing  of  the  LORD’S  great  love  forever;*  I  will  make  your  faithfulness  known  through  all  generations.  

 

I  will  declare  that  your  love  stands  firm  forever,*  

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that  you  established  your  faithfulness  in  heaven  itself.    

The  heavens  praise  your  wonders,  O  LORD,*  your  faithfulness  too,  in  the  assembly  of  the  holy  ones.  

 

Refrain    

O  LORD  God  Almighty,  who  is  like  you?*  You  are  mighty,  O  LORD,  and  your  faithfulness  surrounds    you.  

 

Blessed  are  those  who  have  learned  to  acclaim  you,*  who  walk  in  the  light  of  your  presence,  O  LORD.  

 

They  rejoice  in  your  name  all  day  long;*  they  exult  in  your  righteousness.  

 

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.  

 

Refrain    Refrain  Tune:  Steven  Warner.  ©  1983  GIA  Publications,  Inc.,  Chicago,  IL,  www.giamusic.com.  All  rights  reserved.  Used  by  permission.  

   SECOND  LESSON                                Romans  5:6-­‐11    

The  Apostle  Paul  describes  God’s  “own  love  for  us.”    

You  see,  at  just  the  right  time,  when  we  were  still  powerless,  Christ   died   for   the   ungodly.     Very   rarely   will   anyone   die   for   a  righteous  man,  though  for  a  good  man  someone  might  possibly  dare   to   die.     But  God   demonstrates   his   own   love   for   us   in   this:  While  we  were  still  sinners,  Christ  died  for  us.    

Since   we   have   now   been   justified   by   his   blood,   how   much  more   shall  we   be   saved   from  God’s  wrath   through   him!     For   if,  when  we  were  God’s  enemies,  we  were  reconciled  to  him  through  the   death   of   his   Son,   how  much  more,   having   been   reconciled,  shall  we  be  saved  through  his  life!    Not  only  is  this  so,  but  we  also  

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rejoice   in  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,   through  whom  we  have  now  received  reconciliation.        VERSE  OF  THE  DAY:      

M:   Alleluia.    Grow   in   the   grace   and   knowledge   of   our   Lord   and  Savior  Jesus  Christ.    Alleluia.    (2  Peter  3:18a)  

 

 

   Stand  

 GOSPEL                                Luke  19:1-­‐10    

Jesus  shows  his  unconditional  love  to  Zacchaeus,  a  chief  tax  collector.  Moved  by  such  love,  Zacchaeus  responds  with  rich  generosity.    

Jesus  entered   Jericho  and  was  passing   through.    A  man  was  there  by  the  name  of  Zacchaeus;  he  was  a  chief  tax  collector  and  was  wealthy.    He  wanted  to  see  who  Jesus  was,  but  being  a  short  man  he   could  not,   because  of   the   crowd.     So  he   ran  ahead  and  climbed  a  sycamore-­‐fig   tree  to  see  him,  since  Jesus  was  coming  that  way.  

When  Jesus  reached  the  spot,  he   looked  up  and  said  to  him,  “Zacchaeus,  come  down  immediately.   I  must  stay  at  your  house  today.”    So  he  came  down  at  once  and  welcomed  him  gladly.  

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All  the  people  saw  this  and  began  to  mutter,  “He  has  gone  to  be  the  guest  of  a  ‘sinner.’”  

But   Zacchaeus   stood   up   and   said   to   the   Lord,   “Look,   Lord!    Here  and  now   I  give  half  of  my  possessions   to   the  poor,  and   if   I  have  cheated  anybody  out  of  anything,  I  will  pay  back  four  times  the  amount.”  Jesus   said   to   him,   “Today   salvation   has   come   to   this   house,  because  this  man,  too,  is  a  son  of  Abraham.    For  the  Son  of  Man  came  to  seek  and  to  save  what  was  lost.”    

     Be  Seated  

 SERMON  HYMN  –  749                  “The  Love  of  Christ,  Who  Died  for  Me”  

 

   

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  Reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-712272.

   SERMON                                        Romans  5:6-­‐11    

LOVE  SPEAKS  UNCONDITIONALLY    Stand  

 APOSTLES’  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,  

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suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified,  died,  and  was  buried.  

He  descended  into  hell.  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.  

 Be  Seated  

   

THANKSGIVING    

OFFERING    Stand    

PRAYER  OF  THE  CHURCH      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  

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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.  

 Be  Seated  

   CHILDREN’S  LESSON    

How  Much  Faith  Is  Enough?    Stand  

     

V      THE  SACRAMENT      V    Please  Stand  

 M:   The  Lord  be  with  you.  

   M:   Lift  up  your  hearts.  

   M:   Let  us  give  thanks  to  the  Lord  our  God.  

 

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 M:   Praise  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ!    In  love  

he  has  blessed  us  with  every  spiritual  blessing.    He  sends  the  Holy   Spirit   to   testify   that   we   are   his   children   and   to  strengthen   us   when   we   are   weak.     Now   have   come   the  salvation  and  the  power  and  the  kingdom  of  our  God  and  the  authority  of  his  Christ.    To  him  who  sits  on  the  throne  and  the  Lamb  be  praise  and  thanks  and  honor  and  glory  for  ever  and  ever.  

     SANCTUS    

   

   

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WORDS  OF  INSTITUTION    

M:  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.”  

 

M:   The  peace  of  the  Lord  be  with  you  always.  

     AGNUS  DEI    

 

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Be  Seated  

   

A  Note  for  our  Guests  and  Visitors    

We   are   delighted   that   you   chose   to   worship   with   us   at   Living   Savior   this  morning   and   hear  God's  Word.    Our   Lord   tells   us   in  His  Word   (1   Corinthians  11:17-­‐34)   that  we  are   to  exercise  a   responsible  practice   for   administering   the  Lord's   Supper,   as   we   do   this   morning.     We   ask   that   everyone   joining   us   to  receive   the   Lord's   Supper,   including   our  members,   receive   instruction   in   our  church  prior  to  communing  with  us  for  the  first  time.    Please  speak  with  Pastor  Kruschel  if  you  would  like  to  establish  a  communion  fellowship  with  us.    Thank  you  for  your  understanding.    

   DISTRIBUTION      Please  Stand  

   THANKSGIVING    

     

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 CLOSING  PRAYER    (based  on  John  14:6)    

M:   Lord,  stay  with  us  this  day  and  all  the  days  of  our  life  until  our  final   day  of   this   turmoil  when  we   shall   see   you   face   to   face.    By  your  Holy  Spirit,  enable  us  to  live  our  lives  thoughtfully  and  carefully,  that  we  may  diligently  walk  in  your  way,  live  by  your  truth,   and   boldly   confess   your   saving   truth;   through   Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.  

 

   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  –  384                    “By  Grace  I’m  Saved”    

   

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  Text, Tune, Setting: public domain.

 Silent  Prayer        

       

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____________________________    HONORING  JESUS  WITH  THEIR  SERVICE:  

Sunday  School  Teachers  –  Anne  Marie  Murphy  and  Deb  Burt  Organist  –  Linda  Kruschel  A/V  Operator  –  Matt  Burt  Ushers  –  Rich  and  Matt  Burt  Greeters  –  James  and  Linda  Brandow  Flowers  –  Jack  and  Mary  Laughlin  

(In  Loving  Memory  of  Hattie  Morris)  Refreshments  –  Linda  McDonough  and  Kim  Ruzic  

____________________________    KEEP  IN  YOUR  PRAYERS    JOANNE  ROLOFF  Your  prayers   are   requested  on  behalf   of   Joanne  Roloff.     Joanne  was  hospitalized  earlier  this  week.    She  now  is  receiving  rehab  so  that   she   can   return   home.     Ask   our   gracious   Lord   to   be   with  Joanne   during   this   time.     May   our   gracious   Lord   restore   her  strength   during   this   time   of   transition.     And   should   the   time  become   a   burden,   may   our   almighty   and   compassionate   Lord  provide  her  with  patience.    ALEX  HUNT  Please  continue  to  keep  Alex  Hunt   in  your  daily  prayers.    Alex   is  the  son  of  Pastor  Roger  and  Cindy  Rockhoff  of  Zion,  Gainesville.    In   the   past,   Alex   served   on   one   of   our   TCW   Teams.     He   was  recently   diagnosed   with   cancer   and   is   presently   undergoing  treatment.     May   our   gracious   Lord   restore   Alex   so   that   he   can  continue  in  his  teaching  Call  at  Good  Shepherd  in  Sioux  Falls,  SD.    May  he  be  reminded  daily  to  reflect  upon  the  comfort,  hope  and  peace   that   is   ours   through   our   loving   Lord   and   Savior,   Jesus  Christ!      

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ANNOUNCEMENTS    

“THE  MINISTRY  OF  ELIJAH”  –  FAITH  ONLINE  BIBLE  STUDY  –  WEDNESDAY  This  week’s   lesson,   the   final   in   the  series  on   the  ministry  of  Elijah,  revisits   the   closing   chapter   in   the   ministry   of   Elijah.     How  breathtaking  it  is,  as  Elijah  is  graciously  delivered  from  all  evil.    The  interactive   study   will   be   streamed   live   at   7:30   to   8:30   pm,   and  again  at  9:30  to  10:30  pm  Eastern  Time.    The  site  can  be  found  at  http://www.wels.net/interactivefaith.     All   of   the   sessions   will  also  be  archived  on  the  WELS  Interactive  Faith  website.    GAME  NIGHT  –  FRIDAY  –  6:00  PM  Our  Fellowship  Committee  has  organized  a  Game  Night   for   this  Friday   evening,   October   11th.     The   potluck   dinner   will   begin   at  6:00  pm.    Games  will  follow  the  dinner.    For  those  interested,  you  may   sign   up   on   the   list   in   the   Quiet   Room.     If   you   have   any  questions,  please  feel  free  to  speak  with  Rich  Burt,  our  Fellowship  Committee  Chairman.    Sign  up  this  morning  and  join  the  fun!    VOLUNTEER  MINISTRIES  As   a   church  we  work   and   function   together   as   a   body.    We   are  partners   in  this  ministry!     It  takes  many  individuals  to  help  us  do  all   the   things   we   do.     If   there   are   any   empty   spaces   in   the  “serving”  schedules  listed  below,  please  consider  using  your  time  and  gifts  to  help  so  that  the  task  gets  done.    Thanks!    

Week  of   Refreshments   Lawn  Care  10/13   Linda  Kruschel    10/20   Suzette  Moore    10/27      11/3      

 

 GATHER    U    GROW    U    GO  

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 A  GLANCE  AT  THE  WEEK  AHEAD  

 

Today   9:00  am     Sunday  School  and  Bible  Class     10:00  am     Worship  with  the  Lord’s  Supper  

(Coffee  Fellowship  after  the  Service)  Mon.   10:00  am     Bible  Study  -­‐  Genesis     6:30  pm     Visits  Tues.   6:30  pm     Visits  Wed.   5:00  pm     Catechism  Class     7:30  pm     Faith  Online  Bible  Study  –  “The  Ministry  of  Elijah”  

“The  LORD  is  My  Judging  God”  Thurs.   6:30  pm     Visits  Fri.   6:00  pm     Game  Night  and  Potluck  at  Church  Sat.   8:30  am     Yard  Work  and  Facility  Maintenance  Sun.   9:00  am     Sunday  School  and  Adult  Bible  Class     10:00  am     Worship  (Coffee  Fellowship  after  the  Service)     11:30  am     Council  Meeting    LOOKING  BEYOND  THIS  WEEK  

 

Wed.,  Oct.  16th     –   Bible  Study  Series  on  the  Book  of  Revelation  begins  Sat.,  Oct,  26th     –   Work  Day  (Inside  and  Outside)  Sun.,  Nov.  3rd     –   Circuit  Reformation  Rally  at  Northdale,  Tampa  Sun.,  Nov  10th     –   Annual  Church  Picnic  Sat.,  Dec.  7th     –   Church  Decorating  for  Christmas  Sat.,  Dec.  14th     –   Christmas  for  Kids    

   

Be  sure  to  pick  up  your  mail  this  morning!