CLOC: Love Speaks Week Six

As He did at Pentecost, we ask the Holy Spirit to continue to infuse the hearts of His faithful people with a fiery zeal to share the life-giving Gospel with a dying world. The Liturgical color is red. It is the color of fire, fervor, blood, martyrdom, and the shining truth of the Christian faith based on the blood of Christ.

September 29th, 2013

The Lords Supper at Zion

participation in the Blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the Body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. Those who celebrate the Sacrament together are expressing unity with both each another and Christ Jesus their Savior. When the faith publically confessed by the participants is unified, what God gives us in the Sacrament is pure Gospel and a truly a blessed communion and union with one another and our God. But if there is disagreement concerning Gods Word underlying a celebration of the Sacrament, its intended purpose is spoiled and those involved are improperly declaring unity where unity does not fully exist. The Lords Supper is truly a most high and intimate expression of unity. Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:16-17: Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a

Welcome in the Name of Christ!

We pray that you enjoy your time with us and that your spirit is enriched as we together sit at the feet of our Savior. Gods richest blessings be on you! Bathrooms are located in the north and south side of the entryway as you go down into the basement. The mens is on the north side and the womens on the south side. A small Nursery with a changing table and rocking chair is in the back of church on the south side; a carpeted play area is found in the basement; and black activity bags are available in the entryway. If you would like talk to Pastor about anything, catch him after worship or give him a call at 507-648-3601 (Cell: 507-276-5225).

Our practice as it involves the Lords Supper is based on a deep reverence for God and His Word; it is based on our profound respect for the purpose of the Sacrament; and it is based on a deep desire to in every way honestly, accurately, and clearly confess all of Gods Word to the world. Therefore, those who are not yet fully united to us are cordially invited and encouraged to speak with Pastor or an Elder so that we may work together for the truth (III John 8); for when spiritual unity is achieved on the basis of Gods Word, outward unity can and will be joyfully celebrated. Those who have declared their unity with us, either by their membership here or by their membership in another congregation with which we are unified, are cordially invited to express that unity at the Lords Table.

Order of Service Sermon Text Sermon Theme Hymns Psalm

The Service of the Word on Page 38 II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Love Speaks with Urgency 779, 225, 735, 578, 570 90 on Page 99

Service Notes
Normally, green banners and paraments would adorn our Sanctuary this time of year. The red color helps us set off these weeks as being part of our special worship focus. Hymns 779 and 735 are both from Christian worship Supplement and are printed on the goldenrod inserts. Hymn 225, This Is the Day the Lord Has Made, will be sung in place of Oh, Taste and See on page 39.

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 10:12-22 And now, O Israel, what

does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lords commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Opportunities to Grow and Serve

SundaySeptember 29th
Greeters Youth 8:45 am 8:45 am 10:00 am 10:30 am 2:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm 7:00 pm 7:45 pm Lynn Weber Josh Altermatt Morning Bible ClassLove Speaks Sunday School in the School Building Sunday Morning Worship ServiceLove Speaks: Week 6 Worship Service at Cottonwood Ridge in Springfield Ladies Aid Meeting at the Church Televised Worship Service (Springfield Channel 8) Catechism Class in the School Building Regular Midweek Worship Service First Choir Practice for the Fall Season in the School Valley View Worship Service in Lamberton Televised Worship ServiceLamberton Channel 6 Televised Worship ServiceSpringfield Channel 8 Pastor & Becky Prell Erika Rogotzke Morning Bible ClassLove Speaks Sunday School in the School Building Sunday Morning Worship ServiceLove Speaks: Week 6 Evening Bible ClassHow Can They Teach That?

Tuesday Wednesday

Second Lesson: II Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 For I am already being

poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that dayand not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearingAt my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lions mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Thursday
10:00 am 4:00 pm

Gospel Lesson: Luke 18:18-27 A certain ruler asked him, Good teach-

Friday
4:00 pm Greeters Youth 8:45 am 8:45 am 10:00 am 7:00 pm

er, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is goodexcept God alone. You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother. All these I have kept since I was a boy, he said. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Those who heard this asked, Who then can be saved? Jesus replied, What is impossible with men is possible with God.

SundayOctober 6th

Altar GuildRoxy Cohrs & LaVonne Reese Councilman on DutyJim Kosel UshersNoel Pidde, Curt Schenk, Terry Schenk, Cary Fredrickson, Jim Zimmerman

Weekly Attendance in Worship

Wednesday 7:00 pm on September 11th: 20 Wednesday 7:00 pm on September 18th: 15 Sunday 10:00 am on September 15th: 64 Sunday 10:00 am on September 22nd: 67

Announcements Continued
members of the choir are cordially invited to attend as well as all members of the congregation. For those planning on singing or who are interested in singing Pastor is looking for one piece of feedback: in years past choir practices have been held either late in the afternoon or early in the evening, specifically 5:00-6:00 pm or 7:30-8:30 pm. Due to the Wednesday Evening Worship Service a later start time would need to be pushed back to approximately 7:45 pm. What Pastor is looking for is which practice time would work best for the most people; please give him your feedback over the next couple of weeks. Special Voters Meeting Update: At the special Voters Meeting held two weeks ago it was decided to go with the bid from Bud's Nuisance Wildlife Removal from New Ulm, Minnesota. He will be out the end of the month to remove any bats that may be in the building and to seal up the building to prevent their return. The work comes with a complete three year warranty and he should be here on or around the 24th of this month. Sunday School: September 8th we began Sunday School for the 2013-2014 school year. Start time will be 8:45 am on Sunday mornings and there are two singing dates scheduled so far for the kids: Christmas Eve and Palm Sunday. Offering Envelope Update: A letter from Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church in Milford was published in this last months Newsletter; it informed us that they had decided to close their doors effective the end of September. This means that at the end of September we will be discontinuing our monthly pledge. Members are also asked at that time to no longer earmark offerings for that box on your envelope since there will no longer be a congregation to send them to. Please keep the souls in Milford in your prayers and thanks for your assistance in this matter. The Offering Envelopes will be updated for the coming year. Hospital Visits: If you or a loved one is going to be in the hospital for surgery, tests, etc., please call Pastor Prell and let him know. He will add you to the Prayer Chain (if you wish) so that others can join in prayers for you. This also helps Pastor know who he needs to visit; due to health care regulations concerning privacy, hospitals no longer publish who is in the hospital. Thanks in advance for your help!

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25 I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the LORD. Psalm 122:1

Announcements
Thank You: This past week Adam Kosel spent the better part of two days manning the lift which Buds Nuisance Wildlife Removal used for their work. Thank you Adam for your time and help! CIC Meeting Update: A meeting of the Church Improvement Committee was held Thursday, September 19th, at 8:00 pm in the church basement. Those in attendance discussed both short-term and long-term capital projects and their connections to the ministry of this congregation. They will come to the Voters Meeting in October with recommendations as to projects for both the remainder of 2013 as well as 2014. New Sunday Evening Bible Class: Beginning October 6th, we will be starting a new series in the Sunday Evening Bible Class. Over a number of weeks we will be covering the first eight chapters of St. Pauls letter to the Romans. A unique aspect of this class is that we will have a guest lecturer of sorts, Pastor Paul Wendland, who currently serves as President and classroom teacher at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Look for more information on this in an upcoming mailing! Catechism: Catechism has begun for the 2013-2014. It will meet most Wednesdays beginning at 6:00 pm. Confirmation students and their families are encouraged to attend the Wednesday evening service beginning at 7:00 pm if they will be unable to attend worship the upcoming Sunday. DVD Presentation and Invitation: On the Wednesdays of October 9th and 23rd our Catechism students will view of the DVD God of Wonders. This DVD defends the Creation account as contained in Scripture and lays out evidence for the historicity of Genesis. The parents of our confirmation students and any other interested individuals are cordially invited to come watch this movie at the church. Both Wednesday evenings we will begin at 6:00 pm and go until 6:45 pm. The Regular Midweek Service (which everyone is invited to stay for) will begin at 7:00 pm. 2013 Fall Choir Season: The first practice of our choir will be on Wednesday, October 2nd. Our first singing date will be on Reformation Sunday, November 3rd. All past

helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? This applies

to how we deal with strangers, with prisoners, with money, even with our own spouse.

Week 3Love Speaks Sacrificially: Everything Paul had he

considered loss for the sake of knowing Christ. Like Abraham in the Old Testament and like all who would follow Christ, we consider the resurrection worth the cross. Focusing on the cross Christ suffered, we willingly count and pay the cost of discipleship and sharing our faith. Love speaks sacrificially because it is worth the cost.

Christs Love, Our Calling (CLOC) has been the theme for our synods four-part stewardship program. Each year focuses on a different area of stewardship. Year One focused on our use of time. Year Two focused on our use of spiritual gifts. Year Three focused on our use of our treasures. Our focus for the fourth and final year of this series is our use of Gods truth. The title for this years emphasis is Love Speaks. Our goal is to encourage Gods people to respond to the love of Christ by boldly and courageously speaking Gods truth and witnessing their faith. This series is based on Pauls words in II Corinthians 4:13: It is written: I

Week 4Love Speaks Passionately: The emphasis in the

Gospel on the passion felt by the shepherd, the rejoicing in heaven, and the celebration of the woman with the found coin is our passion as our love speaks the rescuing message of salvation that Paul considered his undeserved privilege to share. Love speaks passionately because it values the lost.

Week 5Love Speaks with Focused Heart: Love speaks

with focused heart because Christs love has set our priorities right. The shrewd manager was a secular example of someone focused on the long term. In the sermon text God is glorified as we focus not on earthly riches, but the glory of God.

believed; therefore I have spoken. With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak.
All of the sermons and services, lessons and Bible studies will help encourage people in their sharing of Gods Word in their everyday lives. The Seven Week Bible Class and Worship Emphasis begins Sunday, August 25th and concludes Sunday, October 6th.

Week 6Love Speaks with Urgency: Love puts God first

Week 1Love Speaks Precisely: Some will be saved and

some will be damned. As the love of Christ flows out of us and speaks, we are compelled to speak precisely about our salvation through Christ since the door to heaven is narrow.

in its speaking. In Pauls second letter to Timothy, seeing his end in sight, Paul expends everything for the gospel. Time is limited for each of us as well as for the ones we are called to love. With the Lord at our side we can speak with the urgency of heart that an appreciation for human frailty brings us, knowing that God will bring in his elect, and He uses us to do that as the time grows short.

Week 2Love Speaks Confidently: Todays texts stress the

humility that we have in our own importance and position. Yet love speaks confidently because it isnt our own agenda or message that we speak. Love speaks confidently because we have Gods promise that he will never leave us. We say with confidence, The Lord is my

Week 7Love Speaks Unconditionally: 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 weve been shown.