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WELCOME TO ALL WHO ENTER INTO THE PRESENCE OF GOD TO WORSHIP

11:15 am Modern Worship Service

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH Charlotte, Michigan

August 9, 2020

WELCOME The Spirit of God has taught you to worship and has led you into this house of worship. May you be blessed with the word and Spirit as we gather . . .

and may your participation be a blessing to other worshipers.

"Today Is the Day of Good News" Lessons from HIS-story Today Is a Day of Good News

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THE ORDER OF WORSHIP

Galatians 2:19-21 (NIV)

St. Paul wrote: For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could

be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!@

THE TRIUNE GOD HAS EXHIBITED HIS GRACE

OUR GOD HAS MADE PEACE BETWEEN US

Since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 3:25)

AN OPENING PRAYER OF INVITATION OUR PSALM OF PRAISE - Psalm 111

Pastor: Praise the LORD. All: I will extol the LORD with all my heart . . .

in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Pastor: Great are the works of the LORD; All: they are pondered by all who delight in them. Pastor: Glorious and majestic are His deeds, All: and His righteousness endures forever. Pastor: He has caused His wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate. All: He provides food for those who fear Him;

He remembers His covenant forever. Pastor: He has shown His people the power of His works, giving them the lands of other nations. All: The works of His hands are faithful and just;

all His precepts are trustworthy. Pastor: They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness. All: He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever – holy and awesome is His name.

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Pastor: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. All: All who follow His precepts have good understanding.

OUR PRAYER IN SONG – "Lord, I Need You"

LORD GOD HEARS OUR PRAYERS

THE PRAISE, THANKSGIVING, AND PETITIONS OF THE CONGREGATION

THE PRAYER OUR LORD TAUGHT

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

( (sing) Lord, I stand, I stand in awe of You. I stand, I stand in awe of You. Holy God to whom all praise is due, I stand in awe of You. I stand in awe of You.

"I Stand in Awe" B PRd124

GOD TEACHES US HIS TRUTH THE OLD TESTAMENT READING - 2 Kings 6:8-12

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place." {9} The man of God [Elisha] sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." {10} So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. {11} This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?" {12} "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."

THE CHILDREN'S MESSAGE

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THE EPISTLE READING - 2 Timothy 2:1-13

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. {2} And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. {3} Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. {4} No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – he wants to please his commanding officer. {5} Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. {6} The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. {7} Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. {8} Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, {9} for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. {10} Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. {11} Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; {12} if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; {13} if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

THE GRADUAL FOR THE SEASON OF PENTECOST

Vicar: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out.

All: For from Him . . . and through Him . . . and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33, 36)

THE GOSPEL READING - Luke 17:11-19

On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. {12} As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance {13} and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" {14} When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. {15} One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. {16} He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him--and he was a Samaritan. {17} Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? {18} Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" {19} Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

OUR PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO THE WORD OF GOD

Vicar: O Lord God, help us trust You . . . like Elisha and Paul. Give us thankful hearts like the single Samaritan leper. All: Increase our faith . . . and make us strong in the grace of Jesus . . .

and in His salvation . . . and help us to be good soldiers of Jesus B always remembering His sacrifice.

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Vicar: Lord, impress upon our minds and hearts . . . that You are likewise sending us . . . as Your messengers.

All: Guide and equip us for the ministry You have chosen for us. Protect us from the devil and his allies . . . for You reign, Sovereign God B Father, Son, and Spirit, now and forever. Amen

A SONG OF PRAISE – "God with Us"

THE MESSAGE Lessons from HIS-story "Today Is the Day of Good News"

2 Kings 6:24-7:19

What are the good things from God in your life?

That’s good news, isn’t it?

What will you do with the good news you have?

I Peter 3:18 Christ died for sins once for all,

the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Bibles verses with wonderfully good news: 1 John 4:9-11; 1 Peter 2:24; I Peter 3:18;

Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 3:16, 18, 36

2 Timothy 2:9b-10 God's word is not chained.

Therefore, I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation

that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

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THE LORD GOD WORKS IN US TO SAVE US, ENLIGHTEN US, AND SANCTIFY US THROUGH HIS SPIRIT

OUR CONFESSION OF FAITH

(based on Martin Luther's explanation to the second article of the Apostles' Creed)

I believe that JESUS CHRIST, true God (begotten of the Father from eternity) and also true man (born of the Virgin Mary), IS MY LORD.

He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned person, purchased and won me from all sins, from death,

and from the power of the devil -- not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death.

He redeemed me so that I may be His own . . . and live under Him in His kingdom . . . and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.

Through Jesus, I will rise and live in eternity . . . just as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity.

This is most certainly true. Amen OUR CONFESSION OF SINS AND FAITH

Pastor: The God whom we worship is the God revealed in the Scriptures. He reveals Himself as the one and only true God. "I am the Lord, that is my name. I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols." (Isaiah 42:8) The Lord's words instructs us: "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes

them will obtain mercy." (Proverbs 20:13)

Beloved in the Lord, let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins and our faith to God.

All: O almighty God, I am a poor miserable sinner. I confess my sinfulness and my sin to You . . .

including my lack of witness about Your good news. I deserve Your just punishment now and forever.

But I am heartily sorry for them . . . and sincerely repent of them. O Lord God, You gave me life . . . and all that I need for life.

I trust that You have graciously given me salvation through Jesus. By Your Spirit in me . . . keep me in the true faith . . .

and enable me to boldly testify to Your good news. O Triune God, make every action, thought, and word

reflect my belief . . . that You are the one True God . . . and that You have saved me for eternity.

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I am Yours through Jesus. Preserve me in that faith . . . and forgive my sins for His sake. Amen

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORGIVENESS

Mark 4:26-29

Jesus said: "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain – first the stalk,

then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

A PRAYER OF RESPONSE – “Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone”

THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR LIFE TOGETHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE IN SERVICE

We are the “Family of God” in this place. The Lord God has rescued us from damnation and put His Spirit into us. He has truly blessed us with great spiritual gifts -- forgiveness,

spiritual life, eternal life with Him . . . and with bodies and souls, homes and families, learning and recreation, etc. Yes, we are privileged. Let’s function as people united –

serving Him and one another, working together to share the “Good News.” Let’s give our tithes and offerings as wonderful expressions of our trust in the one and only true God.

THE LORD SENDS US OUT WITH HIS BLESSING THE LORD'S ASSURANCE TO US IN SONG – “Jesus Messiah"

THE BLESSING

Pastor: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope (and joy and peace) by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

All: Amen

Silent Prayer Announcements

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THANK YOU FOR WORSHIPING

CREDITS The portions of the Bible printed in the service folder are from the New International Version,

copyrighted by Zondervan Publishing House. They are used with permission.

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Please Pray These Prayers Regularly

My Gifts from God

I have been rescued from eternal death and given eternal life in God’s eternal kingdom.

I have all the riches of the heavenly kingdom (by God’s grace and design). Some of those eternal riches are already evident here and now in my life in this world.

a My gifts include God’s food for a spiritual life of peace and hope and joy. b My gifts from God include His word in the Scriptures . . . and His words are not just in a book but IN ME and feeding my soul. c My good things include living water – the Holy Spirit – in me, so I have both food and drink for my soul. d I have the product of that food and drink in me, i.e., FAITH . . . faith that trusts God, trusts the Bible, and trusts Jesus, the Son of God, as my Savior from sin. e Through faith I am receiving even more "good things" – forgiveness of sins – the righteousness of Jesus imputed to me – peace with God . . . and I know it. I experience His peace -- peace beyond all human understanding. – hope . . an expectation of being with God forever – contentment, resting in the almighty, gracious power of God f. I have His promises of provision and protection . . . and not just promises but the real

thing. Put that all together!. I have all these “good things” from the only true God.

God saved me from spiritual death with all these “good things” and with all these amazing riches He gave me eternal life with Him.

Yes, I have God's good things – amazing gifts! What will I do these “good things” for those

who are “starving for good things?”

Pray faithful, diligent prayer . . . believing that God wants all to be saved and believing that God is the One who can and does change hearts.

Pray with confidence – with faith in God and His almighty power and grace. 1. Pray that God would change the hearts of all those "starving for His good things"

so that they would have His good things through faith. 2. Pray that He would change your heart, mind, will, spirit . . . so that you

are not timid . . . but bold and zealous in sharing the good news . . . and that He would impress upon you: "We are not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves."

3. Then pray daily that God would open your eyes and ears to the possibilities for witnessing and sharing the good news of Jesus . . .

4. AND offer yourself to Him for His service.