Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dispelling the Darkness
August 10, 2008
Prelude Elaine Anderson
Welcome
Opening Hymn Crown Him With Many Crowns #172
Scripture Readings:
Old Testament: Isaiah
29:18-19
OT p. 534
New Testament: Romans
7:1-6
NT p. 126
Confession of Faith: Apostle’s Creed Hymnal front p.4
Confession of Sin: Hymnal front p. 48 #2
Hymn What Can Wash Away My Sin? #557
Pastoral Prayer
Children’s Object Lesson
Offering We Give Thee but Thine Own #391
Hymn Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing #187
Sermon
"Ripe or Rotten Fruit"
Matthew 12:33-37
Pastor Patrick Lohse, Intern
Hymn Trust and Obey #517
The Benediction
The Doxology Hymnal (front) p. 24
A pastor and deacons will be in the front of the sanctuary following the service to meet with those who desire to receive Christ as Savior and Lord, those who wish to renew their relationship with Him, and those who need prayer for specific needs. Anointing with oil, according to James 5:14, is available upon request.
Stand (optional)
Prayer Connection — August 10, 2008
"As you come to Him, the living Stone — rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him, you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says; ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’" (1 Peter 2:4-6). If we are to build a strong Spiritual house that will weather any storm, we must begin with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9). Trusting and believing that Jesus is our Cornerstone is a marvelous source of comfort. We rest in His stability, firm foundation, and strength. "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." (I Peter 2:10). You have blessed us, O God!
Dearest Heavenly Father,
You have provided. We thank you that by Your Grace, we can build our faith on
the truth of Your Son and Your Word. We thank You that this stone that the
builders rejected has become our capstone, You have done this, and it is
marvelous in our eyes! This Cornerstone is the abiding, unshakable presence of
our Lord, and we are so blessed by Your goodness and mercy. We will build our
lives upon the solid rock, the steadfast foundation, our Lord and Savior. Yes,
Lord, You have provided. We thank You for the blessings that rain on us daily
and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:19-21) It is only when we begin with Jesus Christ as our cornerstone that we can become the building sturdy enough to become the Spiritual dwelling place of God. Call on me anytime at schwiesowfam@sbcglobal.net or 941-4645. Have a prayer-filled week!
Ann Schwiesow
This Week at Bethlehem
Today: 8:00 am Men’s prayer in Pastor’s study
9:00 am Worship Service-Radio 95.7 F
5:00 pm Prayer Meeting
Tuesday: 7:00 pm Trustees Meet
Thursday: 6:00 am Men’s Bible Study (IHOP)
Saturday: 7:30 am Men’s breakfast (Kitchen)
Sunday: 8:00 am Prayer in Pastor’s Study
9:00 am Worship Service-Radio 95.7 FM
Please remember the following people in your prayers this week:
Missionaries: Todd and Barb Schirkolk and family
Special Needs:
Vivian
Walker
Aaron Noone
Tom Bishop
Mickey
McComas
Lois Tweedt
Tom Ricket
Milo
Peterson
Jim Koedding
Ron Linnemann
(Special Needs requests will be in the bulletin for two consecutive Sundays.
Please call the office to be included for a longer period of time.)
Praise: For the living Word of God
Pastor Dave and Cheryl Skordahl
38 Lynwood Drive Morris, IL 60450
815 942-3670 (Home) 815 735-7329(Cell)Patrick Lohse, Intern Pastor
Patrick and Jennifer Lohse
510 Narvick Ave. Apt. 6 Morris, IL 60450
815 941-2407 (Home) 815-584-7122 (Cell)
Either make the tree good
and it’s fruit good,
or make the tree bad,
and it’s fruit bad;
for the tree
is known
by its fruit.
Matthew 12:33The beginning of fall is a busy time and everyone needs information concerning activities that are starting up again. If you have announcements or articles that need to be in the Sept./Oct. STAR, please have them in the office no later than August 24. Thank you.
Thank you to Rose and Glenn Thorson for the bench cushions! They add such a nice touch to benches in the entry and in front of the office.
Roy Hope will be here for a special concert on Sunday evening, September 7th, at 6:30 pm. Roy Hope presents a concert of Gospel music for both young and old. Please plan to attend. You will be blessed by Roy’s music.
Stavanger Lutheran Church is having their annual Pork Chop Supper and Bake Sale Saturday August 23, from 5:00 until 7:00 pm. The cost is $8 for one chop, $9 for 2 chops, and $4 for a hot dog meal. There are a limited number of tickets. Tickets are $1 more when purchased at the door. Call 357-6339 or 357-8867 to purchase tickets.
Volunteers are needed to staff the Homeless Shelter this fall and winter. If you are interested in working with other churches on this project, please call the office at 815 942-1145.
Attention parents of high school students: There is a free class on planning for college that will be held at the Grundy County Administration Center. Each class is from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. There are four classes to choose from: Weds. Aug. 27, Thurs. Aug. 28, Tues. Sept. 2, and Thurs. Sept. 4. The class will give information on applying for college, getting scholarships, financing, and more. Call 815 434-0395 for reservations or more information.
West Lisbon Church is having their annual Taste of West Lisbon this afternoon from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. Proceeds go to their building fund.
We are thankful to have you join us for today’s service. It is our desire that you experience the presence of the Lord and the love of God’s people. If you are a first-time guest, please sign a registration card located in your pew and place it in the offering plate.
Deacons at the Altar: Doug Gipes and Len Terry
Greeters today: Shirley and Alan Love
Would you like to be involved in a ministry of serving the Lord in praise and song? Then join us for our first choir practice of the fall on Wednesday, September 3, from 6:30 until 7:30 pm. We will begin singing on Sunday, September 14th.
Last Sunday’s attendance: 134
Last Sunday’s offering: Current $3,457 Missions $360
Needed to meet budget: Current $4,250 Missions $306
Weekly offering average $3,750 (June 1 to present):
APPEAL FOR PIES: Our WMF is planning to take pies and a program to the Grundy Home on August 21st. The program is organized, but we are in need of more pies. If you can contribute a pie, please let Sandy Timmons or June Thompson know as soon as possible. Thank you.
Please pray for the persecuted Church in Cyprus. More Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses live on the island than evangelicals. Only a handful of missionaries are allowed on the island and they face much opposition. There are only a few believers in the North, due to Islamic oppression. Pray for believers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel.
Shirley Love is giving away an organ that once belonged to Anna Asp. If you are interested in this organ, please call 815-942-6852 as soon as possible.