Bethlehem Lutheran Church (LCMS)
607 N. Maguire, Warrensburg, Missouri
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Saturday Worship: 5:30 p.m.
Bible Study: 6:45 p.m.
Christian Education: 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Worship: 10:30 a.m.
Lenten Service: Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Rev. Joel R. Kurz, Pastor
Office: 660 747-6742
Pastor’s Cell Phone: 660 441-5710
www.blchurch.com
AS WE GATHER
God has a plan for each of us. He has an amazing and surprising plan individually
crafted. It may not follow the pattern that we or those around feel it should be.
But it is God’s plan, shaped by His grace. We joyfully put our trust in the
graciousness of the God who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.
The pottery vessels on the altar remind us that although Holy Communion is not
celebrated today, our Lord’s sacred gifts are still central to our life of faith. Holy
Communion is celebrated every 1st, 3rd, and 5th weekend (and major festivals).
Feel free at any time to write your struggles, troubles, worries, and prayers on the slips of
paper in the basket and tack them to the Lenten cross. They will not be read but be taken off
on Good Friday and burned at the Easter Vigil.
As a reminder for our Lenten preparation for Easter, Private Confession and Absolution is
available with Pr. Joel on an appointment basis. The rite used is on pages 292-293 of the
Lutheran Service Book.
Reformation 500 thought for the week from Martin Luther (1483-1546 A man
must completely despair of himself in order to become fit to obtain the grace of
Christ.
Pre-Service Music
(Please use this time for prayerful listening and preparation. Prayers can be found on the
inside cover of the hymnal and on pages 305-318. If you have a prayer request or
concern, fill out a prayer request—on the back of the pew in front of you—and an usher
will pick it up.)
Visitors: We are glad you have chosen to be with us today! We would especially like to
follow-up with you beyond today, so please take a moment to leave your best contact
information in the guest books at each entrance/exit or in the Record of Fellowship
books found on each pew. Many thanks!
Announcements
Welcome
Silent Prayer
Baptismal Hymn ........................................................ “Father Welcomes” #605
Rite of Holy Baptism
Laura Bethany VanWey
Stand
Morning Prayer
Opening Verses .............................................................................................. page 235
Psalmody
Antiphon ......................................................................................................... page 235
Venite........................................................................................................ pages 236-237
Antiphon ......................................................................................................... page 237
Psalm 142 (front of hymnal, chanted responsively by whole verse)
Office Hymn ................................ “Word of God, Come Down on Earth” #545
Readings
Old Testament .............................................................................Isaiah 42:14-21
Amid the bleak and barren, the Lord brings startling reversal.
For a long time I have held my peace;
I have kept still and restrained myself;
now I will cry out like a woman in labor;
I will gasp and pant.
I will lay waste mountains and hills,
and dry up all their vegetation;
I will turn the rivers into islands,
and dry up the pools.
And I will lead the blind
in a way that they do not know,
in paths that they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I do,
and I do not forsake them.
They are turned back and utterly put to shame,
who trust in carved idols,
who say to metal images,
“You are our gods.”
Hear, you deaf,
and look, you blind, that you may see!
Who is blind but my servant,
or deaf as my messenger whom I send?
Who is blind as my dedicated one,
or blind as the servant of the LORD?
He sees many things, but does not observe them;
his ears are open, but he does not hear.
The LORD was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake,
to magnify his law and make it glorious.
A O Lord, have mercy on us.
C Thanks be to God.
Epistle..............................................................................................Ephesians 5:8-14
Remembering that we’ve been freed from darkness, we’re called to stay in the
light.
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of
light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern
what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead
expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when
anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
A O Lord, have mercy on us.
C Thanks be to God.
Choir Anthem ........................................................................... “Awake, O Sleeper”
Stand
Holy Gospel ................................................................ John 9:1-7, 13-17, 34-39
Jesus enables a man to see for the first time and what happens as a result.
As [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born
blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works
of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is
day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world.” Having said these things, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then
he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”
(which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. Now it was a Sabbath
day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. So the Pharisees again asked him how
he had received his sight. And he said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I
see.” Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the
Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a
division among them. So they said again to the blind man, “What do you say about him, since
he has opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”
They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast
him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in
the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to
him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and
he worshiped him. Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not
see may see, and those who see may become blind.”
A In many and various ways, God spoke to His people of old by the prophets.
C But now in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.
Sit
Children’s Message
Sermon................................................................................................. “Sight to See!”
Stand
Canticle
Hymn of Praise ....................................... “The God of Abraham Praise” #798
Sharing of the Peace
Sit
Offering
Stand
Prayer
Collects............................................................................................................. page 241
Lord’s Prayer ............................................................................................... page 241
Benedicamus ................................................................................................ page 241
Benediction ...................................................................................................... page 242
Sending Hymn............... “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness” #849
Dismissal
Morning Prayer from Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Reprinted with permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture
quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved. Created by Lutheran Service Builder © 2006 Concordia Publishing House.
Next week’s readings:
Ezekiel 37:1-14, Psalm 130, Romans 8:1-11, John 11:17-27, 38-53
Attendance Last Saturday: 36
Attendance Last Sunday: 96
Total Offering: $4,055.14
SOSF: $40.00
Home Use: $3,002.54
Benevolences: $977.60
Missions: $35.00
Serving us this morning:
Elder ................................................................................................................................Wilfredo Crespo Jr.
Musicians ............................................................................. Gary Moege and Richard Vanderburgh
Offerings .................................................................................................................................. Loraine Miller
Altar Committee ...................................................Darlene Laubenstein (Chair), Karon Harding,
Esther Keseman, Darlene Rohner
Flower Committee ............................................................. Sue Cottrill (Chair), Penny Humphrey
This Week’s Schedule:
Today
9:00 p.m.
9:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
Monday
9:30 a.m.
7:00 p.m.
Tuesday
9:30 a.m.
Wednesday 9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
7:00 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
Thursday
9:30 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Radio Broadcast 98.5 FM (can also be heard at
www.blchurch.com, under the sermon tab)
Christian Education
Worship
Fellowship Coffee-Mission & Evangelism Boards
Strength Training
Quarterlife Meeting
Quilting
Strength Training
Bible Study
Psalter at the Altar
Merry Widows Luncheon at the American Legion
Lenten Service
Choir
Morning Prayer
Card Group
Bittersweet Place
Friday
Saturday
9:30 a.m.
3:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
6:45 p.m.
Strength Training
UCM Greek Week Volunteers (until 5)
Holy Communion
Bible Study
Prayers
Holy Baptism—We rejoice with the VanWey household as Laura Bethany is
baptized into the name and life of the Holy Trinity today. Much peace and joy to
them in Christ!
For Sustenance, Healing, and Provision—We remember those who are dealing
with illness, homebound, in nursing homes, and recovering from hospitalization or
surgery: Dorothy Bodenstab (Betty Wienberg’s sister), Cindy Clendenin, Ruby
Hemme (Eunice Cobb’s mom), Ken Hoemann, Esther Keseman, Marvin Kreisel,
Alice Lane, Marty Lehn, José Messias (Maggie Bessels’ dad), Faith Parker, Sharon
Reith, Cindy Schnell, and Denniss Spanton.
For Military Members—We remember our service and support personnel who are
far from home and for their families: Andy Burden, Bethany Keirans, David Meir,
and Branden Waner.
Upcoming Worship Opportunities
Lenten Midweek Services—Join us on the remaining two Wednesdays before Holy
Week—at 7 p.m.—as we continue to explore what it means to grow as a baptized
people in “stewardship of self.” The last two senses we’ll ponder are taste & touch.
Christian Education
Saturday Bible Study—We’re still continuing Michael Card’s called LUKE: GOSPEL
OF REASSURANCE even though we’re in the year of Matthew (but he’ll be next)!
Join us from 6:45 (or so) to 7:30 p.m. in the conference room following the
evening service.
Sunday Bible Study—Join us in the conference room from 9:15 to 10:05, from
March through April, as we explore the video-based study for high school youth
and adults called This Changed Everything: 500 Years of Reformation. This is the
perfect study for delving into the history of the Church this anniversary year!
Wednesday Bible Study—Join us in the conference room from 10:30 to noon as
we explore Mark: Hope for the Gentiles. Come see the clarity and urgency Mark’s
Gospel brings to our life of faith.
2nd & 4th Thursday Bible Study—Join us in the conference room on April 13th at
6:30 p.m. (until about 7:45) as we continue our Reformation 500 observance with
a new DVD-based series by Lutheran Hour Ministries: “A Man Called Martin.”
Come and grow more grounded in grace-filled believing and living—which is what
Luther was all about!
Psalter at the Altar—All are welcome to gather by the altar (from 12:15 to 12:30)
as we pray our way through the last handful of the 150 psalms.
Thursday Morning Prayer—Join us for 15 minutes of prayerful renewal each
Thursday morning at 9:30 in the Sanctuary.
Ways to Serve & Support
Taking Care of Our Greenspaces—There’s plenty to do in coming days and weeks
pruning, preparing, and planting in our greenspaces (herb & vegetable gardens
and planters), as well as upkeep on the nature trail. If you’d like to help in any way
this growing season, please talk to Mike or Barbara Chasar or Pr. Joel. The more
hands, the more joy in cultivating and sharing!
Bethlehem’s Friday Night Meal at Manna Harvest—Did you know that free meals
are provided at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church five nights a week and are staffed
by volunteers from various organizations and congregations—including
Bethlehem? The first Friday of every month is our night. If you’d like to help on
April 7th or beyond, please contact Phil at [email protected]. The meal is
served from 5:30 to 6:30, but help is needed before and after too. This is a great
way to serve in our community. Thanks for your help!
Congregational Work Day—Our church home is a large building that always needs
attention! The Trustees will be holding a work day on the 8th of April from 8 a.m.
to 1 p.m. Some of the projects include painting doors, installing hymnal holders,
cleaning walls, picking up trash, cleaning benches, and cleaning light fixtures. A
sign-up sheet has been posted on the bulletin board for specific tasks, once your
task in done you can leave (or you can even come in prior to the work day)!
The Food Center needs volunteers to sort and shelve donated food items 3 to 5
p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Clothes Closet needs help sorting
donated clothing Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon. If you can
help any of those times, call Charles Fair, 747-2957.
The Lutheran Student Center has been growing both in number and in faith!
Because of this we could really use your help in providing meals for our Thursday
evening Bible studies. If anyone is willing to provide meals for us, we would be
very grateful. We also have a deep freeze to store casseroles for future fellowship
nights. Please contact Pastor Schweigert at (660) 747-7603 if you would like to
help.
Food Center Needs— The Food Center needs soups of all kinds, hamburger helper
(all varieties), deodorant for men and women, shampoo and toothbrushes.
Donations can be placed in the north lobby container.
Altar Flowers—The Mary-Martha Guild invites you to donate flowers to honor a
birthday, anniversary or other occasion, or honor the memory of a loved one who
has passed away. To reserve a date to donate flowers, please call or contact Sue
Cottrill or Penny Humphrey.
Care Companions—Do you like visiting and encouraging others? Care Companions
exists to do just that at Bethlehem—whether it’s seeing those who are
homebound, in care centers, or going through times of transitions. Talk to Pr. Joel
if you’d like to know more.
Choir meets each Wednesday evening at 7:45 p.m. during the Lenten season.
Voices of all ages and abilities are welcome, no special skills are necessary.
Fellowship
The Quarterlife group will be holding a fellowship outing, climbing the rock wall at
the UCM gym, on Sunday April 2nd. We will meet at Bethlehem at 3:15p.m. prior
to heading to the rock wall. Please contact Andrew at 660-553-8419 if you are
interested in joining us.
Quarterlife—Join us for the next Quarterlife Bible study being held Monday April
10th at 7p.m. as we finish our study of the Augsburg Confession. In May we will
begin a new discussion on the book “Being Lutheran” by Rev Trevor Sutton. If you
would like more information please contact Andrew at 660 553-8419. Quarterlife
is aimed at those in their 20s and 30s, encouraging friendship and growth in faith.
UCM Students—You are invited to the Lutheran Student Center (215 S. Holden)
Thursday evenings for a meal at 5 p.m. followed by a Bible study at 6 p.m.
Exercise Class—Bethlehem offers a free exercise class at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays! This class is open to anyone who wants to increase their
strength, and improve/maintain their balance and flexibility.
Cards—We have had a request to play other card games in addition to pinochle on
Thursdays, so we are going to have games such as pitch, rummy, dominoes, etc.
Coffee will be available, if you prefer something else, please bring it. Games begin
at 2 p.m. Please call Melvin Theroff at 660-429-5987 or 573-619-5554 if you have
any questions. Looking forward to see you all.
Miscellaneous
Bob Bennett Returning—The singer-songwriter/guitarist from the state of
California will be making his fourth appearance at Bethlehem on Sunday, April 23
(Confirmation Sunday and the Second Sunday of Easter)! He’ll be singing a few
songs in the morning service and giving a concert here that afternoon at 3. He’ll be
in Lake of the Ozarks on the 22nd and is adding us on. The others are taking care of
his travel here and the flight back, so all we would need is to provide an
honorarium (which last time we covered with $750 in donations from
congregation members). If you’re not familiar with his music, much of which
centers around the meaning of Easter and the intersection of faith and life, check
out his website: www.bobbennett.com. And if you like watching You Tube videos
of live music, Pr. Joel suggests: “I Know that My Redeemer Lives,” “Lord of the
Past,” “Man of the Tombs,” and “Hand of Kindness.” Spread the word, and if you’d
like to donate to his honorarium, just indicate “Bob Bennett” on the memo line.
Prayer Shawls are a way to comfort the grieving, provide hope to the weary, and
celebrate new life, among other things. If you know of someone who would
benefit from receiving a prayer shawl, or like to crochet or knit, please contact
Ellen Pederson or the church office to request a shawl or to make one.
Handmade Items from Uganda—Pr. Joel still has some paper bead necklaces &
bracelets, pouches, shopping bags, and sandals made by widows and mothers of
disabled children in the village of Bulenga (which he visited again last month). Let
him know if you’d like to take a look. They make great gifts, and the proceeds
make a big impact there!
Thrivent Choice Dollars—Grant funding from Thrivent Financial through its
Thrivent Choice program can help support organizations you care about. Don’t let
Choice Dollars expire. Eligible Thrivent Financial members who have Choice Dollars
available have until March 31, 2017, to direct any remaining 2016 Choice Dollars.
Help support Bethlehem. Go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more. Or call
800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.
Pastor’s Office Hours
Pastor Joel can be found in the office Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8:15 to 5:00 and
on Wednesdays & Fridays from 10-5, except for when leading Bible study, making
visits, attending meetings, and such. Otherwise, call or e-mail to make an
appointment for any day from Tuesday-Sunday: 660.441-5710 or
[email protected].
Administrivia
Office Hours: 7:30 – 4:30 Monday – Friday (747-6742)
Bookkeeper hours: Tuesday & Wednesday 5-6 p.m., Saturday 1-4 p.m.
Bulletin Article Submission Deadline: Wednesday noon weekly
Tidings Article Submission Deadline: 21st of each month
Website articles/notices can be submitted to the office
via
[email protected].
Elders
Wilfredo Crespo—Head Elder, Members whose last name falls in the D-H, M-O &
P-Schl alphabet
Ken Pederson—Members whose last name falls in the I-L alphabet
Ken Hoemann—Members whose last name falls in the A-C alphabet
Phil Frerking—Members whose last name falls in the Schm-Z alphabet
Stewardship Emphasis
March 26: Lent 4
Psalm 142:5 — I cry to you, O LORD; I say, "You are my refuge, my portion in the
land of the living." The Lord is our portion, our refuge, our everything. His mercy
preserves through all our days in the land of the living. This confidence frees us
from the fear that so often leads to sins of greed and coveting. We have the Lord,
we have a Father, He is in control – so we can follow His Word in confidence.
Plus One and The Growing Place
Plus One is a new initiative of the Missouri District to encourage every
congregation in the district to engage their community in one new way. Every
congregation is being asked to complete and submit its participation form by May
1. A trained coach will be assigned to work with each congregation, and a Mission
Summit will be held at Concordia Seminary—St. Louis on June 3. Plus One will look
different in every congregation and community. Twelve pilot congregations
already exist, and the district will cover the cost of the coaches. The hope is that
every congregation recognizes God’s call to be salt and light in the world and
reaches out to its community with the gifts the Lord has given to them—seeing
that Christ is working through each congregation. Two years ago in the annual
meeting, and again this past November, Pr. Joel held out the idea of an afterschool
mentoring program as a congregational goal. It has been discussed at council
meetings and seems to be the best option for our Plus One initiative at this point.
Pr. Joel met with the Warrensburg School Superintendent, Dr. Scott Patrick, and
discussed preliminary details of how this could work—including the matching of
students to congregational/community mentors through the assistance of school
counselors. The goal would be to begin in late August or early September.
The idea is to keep it small and manageable from the start, meeting once a week
on Tuesday afternoon from 3:30-5. Background checks would be required for
mentors, and funds are already available through the Children’s Ministries
dedicated account (funds paid to Bethlehem from the ECOC, where Pr. Joel does
children’s chapel twice a month). Students would range from grades 1 to 5, and
the mentors would help with homework as well as sharing a special talent or skill
the various children might be interested in learning (such as painting, playing an
instrument, or gardening). The name Pr. Joel is suggesting is The Growing Place—
complementing Bittersweet Place (which meets here every Thursday afternoon)
and our gardens/greenspaces, but especially referring to what Luke wrote of Jesus
and his childhood in Nazareth: “And the child grew and became strong, filled with
wisdom” (2:40a). Do you have questions, or would you like to know more and
possibly be involved in this endeavor? Learn more by referring to the information
sheets on both bulletin boards, or talk to Pr. Joel over the next few weeks. There
will be a brief meeting following the Saturday and Sunday services April 1 and 2 to
explain more about the program and what it means for our congregation. The
feedback gathered there will be used by the Council to make a final decision at
their meeting on April 11.