Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
Dispelling the Darkness
August 24, 2008

Prelude                                                                                                                            Elaine Anderson

Welcome

Opening Hymns                                 Jesus, Name Above All Names
                                                                              O Lord, You’re Beautiful                                       (see bulletin)
                                                                            Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Scripture Readings:
                      Old Testament: Jeremiah 17:13-14                                                                        OT p. 583
                      New Testament: John 5:1-14                                                                                  NT p.  77

Confession of Faith:                                       Apostle’s Creed                                      Hymnal front p.4

Confession of Sin:                                                                                                  Hymnal front p. 48 #5

 Hymn                                                   What Can Wash Away My Sin                                            #557

Pastoral Prayer

Children’s Object Lesson

Offering                                                We Give Thee but Thine Own                                             #391

Hymn                                                               Jesus Loves Me                                                         #369

Sermon                                                          "Adopted by God"                                                                                                                                                         Romans 8:1-17
                                                                                   Pastor David Skordahl

Hymn                                             Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It                                       #518

Lord’s Prayer

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)

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: Tom Mickelson and Bob Kezerle

Today’s radio broadcast is sponsored in loving memory of Ruby Hauge by family and friends. Ruby’s birthday would have been August 21.

Pastor and Cheryl will be leaving for Minneapolis right after the service this morning to attend AFLC Coordinating Committee meetings. Pray for the meetings and for safe travel. They will return Wednesday.

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.

The Music Fund is getting low. Please consider an extra donation for this ministry, as the Lord leads. We are thankful to Elaine and the choir, and appreciate their contribution to our Worship Services. Thank you to those who donated last Sunday.

Last Sunday’s attendance: 124

Last Sunday’s offering: Current $3,530 Missions $318

Needed to meet budget: Current $4,250 Missions $306

Weekly offering average $3,703 (June 1 to present)

Thank you to the WMF for donating $1,000 to the church to help offset the cost of pipe repair. We appreciate the hard work that our women do in serving funeral lunches for our members and their families. It is a ministry that grieving families greatly appreciate.

The Sunday School is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast on Rally Day. Everyone is welcome! Rally Day is September 7th.

Sunday School begins on September 7th for all ages, 3 years (as of September 1) through High School. We also have an adult class taught by Pastor Skordahl. We are looking forward to a year of fellowshipping with friends and growing closer to the Lord. God has blessed us with many returning teachers, but we still need substitutes who would be willing to fill in. Or maybe you have a heart for leading children’s choir. Are you that person God is nudging to help Him in His work here at Bethlehem? Talk to Kathy Hoge or Ann Higgins if you would like to help.

Are you a junior high or high school student looking to hang out, do cool activities, and have a Bible study that is relevant to where you are in your walk with God? Become part of the newly formed youth group as we initiate the school year with a "Progressive Fast Food Restaurant Dinner". Each Sunday we will meet at the church for games, snacks and Bible study. The fun will start at the church Sunday Sept 7th at 6:00. Bring your appetite, $10, and your Bible.

This year our Corn Festival Lawn Service will feature the Wissmann Family. Loren, Gloria, and their 13 children will be singing and playing a variety of musical instruments as they share the timeless message of Jesus Christ. Why not invite family and friends who don’t attend church? They will hear beautiful music along with the promise of salvation in Jesus.

Prayer Connection — August 24, 2008

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12) As we walk in the light of Christ Jesus, greater revelation dawns upon us and we are able to reveal God’s love through that light. Jesus calls each of us to meet Him in a dark place where He can shine through us. That is the place that we can serve Him by revealing His love to someone in need. Serving Jesus with our life enables His light to shine brighter and brighter. There we will experience the glory of God as Jesus touches that person through us. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) The light of Christ was never brighter than through the glory on the cross. At that moment, Christ’s death established the truth and realization of all of God’s promises. "And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity and thy darkness be as the noon day." (Isaiah 58:10)

Our Heavenly Father,
We thank You and praise You for bringing the light and the truth to us. Help us to cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. Help us bring Glory to You by revealing Your love through good works. Teach us how to shine brighter by witnessing and carrying Your light to all we meet. You have told us that those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, will shine like the stars forever and ever. Since the stars in the night sky proclaim the glory of the Lord, show us, as Your people, to shine with Your glory in this dark world. Use us for Your purpose to bring light and the good news to our friends who still live in darkness. We believe in Your light, help us to become sons of that light. In the name of our Savior and Redeemer, Christ Jesus. Amen

Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16) The light brings this truth, that in Christ; we no longer are in darkness and can be delivered from sin, shame, despair, death, and hell. For whoever receives Jesus as Lord and Savior, confesses, and repents will have eternal life both now and forever.  If anyone would like to be on the email prayer chain, please forward your email address to me at schwiesowfam@sbcglobal.net. Call on me anytime at 941-4645. Have a blessed, 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

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: Under His Wings

Special Needs:         George Kresse           Tom Bishop           Roy Egeland
                                      Mickey McComas      Tom Mickelson     Tom Ricket
                                      Milo Peterson             Vivian Walker       Jim Koedding

(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: That God has made us His children

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)

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God
and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be
glorified with Him.

Romans 8:15-17

 

Please pray for the persecuted Church in Eritrea. In 2002 all Protestant Churches were ordered closed under military dictatorship and Communism. At least 2000 Christians are under arrest without trial or legal charges, solely for their belief in Jesus Christ. Persecution is escalating. Pray for comfort for those imprisoned. Pray for their families, that they will find ways to witness to others about the love of God through Jesus.

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. There will be refreshments served after the concert.

If you are interested in playing Flag Football in a Church League, please call the church office. The games are played in Channahon on Saturday mornings.

"Campus Days" at the Association Free Lutheran Bible School Last spring, there were 150 students who attended Spring Campus Days. This fall, the event is scheduled for October 17-19. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience dorm life, sit in on classes, meet future classmates, and have fun during fellowship times.

The AFLBS mission is:

to bring students into and establish them in the assurance of personal salvation in Christ Jesus through the study of God’s Word,

prepare students to face a secular society by grounding them in the Word of God,

help students embrace the truth as found in the Bible and help them to reject the theological errors so prevalent today,

challenge students to seek God’s will in all personal and vocational choices, and equip students to serve in free and living Lutheran congregations.

Registrations are due Monday, October 10th. The cost is only $25 for the entire weekend.

Crown Financial Ministries is presenting a "Journey to Financial Freedom" Seminar at Fox River Lutheran Church on Saturday, September 13 from 8:30 to 4:30. The cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. Contact Paula at 815- 695-9926 for more information. Lunch and childcare are provided.