In The Lion’s Den · 2019-08-30 · den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve...
12
W ELCOME TO F AITH L UTHERAN C HURCH Inviting all people to faith . . . Come and Worship - Go and Work Pastor - Lee Laaveg | Ministers - All Phone 712-580-4316 2912 Highway Blvd, Spencer, Iowa 51301 September 1, 2019 12th Sunday After Pentecost Email us at: [email protected] Catch us on the Web: www.faithlutheranspencer.com Follow us: @flcspencer Like us on Facebook! Faith Lutheran Church LCMC Watch us on SMU: Mondays @ 8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays @ 11:00 a.m. In The Lion’s Den
Transcript of In The Lion’s Den · 2019-08-30 · den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve...
WELCOME TO FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH
Inviting all people to faith . . . Come and Worship - Go and Work
Pastor - Lee Laaveg | Ministers - All
Phone 712-580-4316 2912 Highway Blvd, Spencer, Iowa 51301
September 1, 2019 12th Sunday After Pentecost
Email us at: [email protected]
Catch us on the Web: www.faithlutheranspencer.com
Follow us: @flcspencer
Like us on Facebook! Faith Lutheran Church LCMC
Watch us on SMU: Mondays @ 8:30 p.m. and Tuesdays @ 11:00 a.m.
In The Lion’s Den
Prelude
Opening Song - “You Never Let Go”
Welcome
Prayer
Song - “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”
*Invocation
We meet in the strong name of our God,
We praise you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
*Litany (From Psalm 103)
Praise the LORD, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed
like the eagle’s.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those
who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those
who fear him;
For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;
The wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and
his righteousness with their children’s children;
Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, my soul.
*Prayer of the Day
Lord God, in our worship today, may you be glorified. You have all power. Our lives
are in your hands. When we walk in the darkness, keep our eyes on You. When we
are afraid, give us strong faith. When we are discouraged, give us the strength to
persevere. Grant us the courage to be faithful. Protect us from all evil. Fill us with
your Spirit of love, so we may have joy in all circumstances. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture - Psalm 31:1-8, 14-18, 23-24
Gospel - Mark 9:20-29
Children’s Message
Song - “What Faith Can Do”
Sermon Text - Daniel 6:3-11, 16-27
Sermon - “In The Lion’s Den”
Offertory Song - “Confidence” (Offering will be received at this time)
*Offertory Response - “We Are An Offering”
*Offertory Prayer:
Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us our
selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for
the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
*Confession of Faith
Prayers of the Church
*Sharing of the Peace
*Words of Institution for Holy Communion
*Lord’s Prayer
Distribution Songs
“O Come To The Altar”
“You Are My All in All”
“Jesus, Lover Of My Soul”
*Blessing
A SPECIAL WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS THIS MORNING!
Whether you are from across town or out-of-state, your presence is a blessing to
us. When the Friendship Pad is passed down the row, please fill it out so we may
connect with you. Thank you for joining us today!
*Closing Song - “Standing On The Promises”
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
*Please stand if you are able.
Scripture - Psalm 31: 1-8, 14-18, 23-24 1 In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your
righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of
your name lead and guide me. 4 Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you
are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, LORD, my faithful God. 6 I
hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the LORD. 7 I will be glad and
rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. 8 You
have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious
place. 14 But I trust in you, LORD; I say, “You are my God.” 15 My times are in your hands; deliver
me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. 16 Let your face shine
on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. 17 Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for
I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm
of the dead. 18 Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak
arrogantly against the righteous. 23 Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him,
but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the
LORD.
Gospel - Mark 9:20-29
(A father, whose son was possessed by an evil spirit brought him to Jesus.) 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a
convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus
asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him.
But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my
unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the
impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him
and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came
out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus
took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had
gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Sermon Text - Daniel 6: 3-11, 16-27
(Daniel was one of three rulers under King Darius.) 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his
exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 At
this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel
in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find
no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man
Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6 So these administrators
and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The
royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the
king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god
or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be
thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so
that it cannot be altered - in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians,
which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his
upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got
down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.
(The accusers told the King of Daniel’s continued praying. The King was very distressed,
but realized he had been fooled.)
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’
den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue
you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king
sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s
situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the
night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he
could not sleep. 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’
den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice,
“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been
able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut
the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his
sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was
overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted
from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 At
the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and
thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they
reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the
earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom
people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he
endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He
rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
Pastor’s Ponderings . . .
1. Have you ever been falsely accused? What happened and how did you
respond?
2. What motivated Daniel’s accusers?
3. What if it were against the law to pray and worship, what would you do?
4. Why do you think Darius signed the law that people could only pray to him?
5. Have you ever had a close encounter with death?
6. What are the “lions” in your life?
7. Why does it take courage to live our faith in Jesus and walk in faithfulness in
today’s culture?
8. Who is our ultimate hope? Our only hope?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Faith Lutheran Staff Changes!
Eric Patten transitions to
Evangelism and Stephen Ministry!
As Eric Patten’s ministry at Faith develops and advances,
he will be responsible for:
LifeKids each Wednesday and all day Monday once
a month;
Evangelism;
Refreshing and renewing our mission commitment to “Invite all people
to Faith” and sharing our God stories;
Teaching Sunday morning adult education;
Launching and leading Stephen Ministry - teaching two sessions each
Thursday.
Welcome Evan Nielsen!
Evan Nielsen comes to us as part of the YMT (Youth Ministry in Training)
program at Ingham Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp. He will work 20-25 hours a
week, primarily Wednesday and Sunday. Evan will be
working with:
Assisting with LifeKids
Assisting with WoW! Worship
Co-teaching Confirmation with Pastor Lee
Teaching 6th - 8th grade Sunday School
Leading Faith’s Youth programming
Today at Faith Sunday, September 1
Continue to Grow in Faith!
10:30 a.m.
Large Group Sunday School for the
children
Daniel 1 Bible study with Pastor
Lee in the Worship area.
Daniel Bible Study
with Pastor Lee
begins TODAY at
10:30 a.m. in the
Worship area with
Daniel 1
Thank you for your generosity!
Please place the items in
the yellow Mission box by
the front door.
A Reminder! The Church
Office will be closed
tomorrow, Monday, Sept. 2,
in honor of Labor Day!
Happy Birthday!
September 2
Shirley Parks, Christine Piercy
September 4
Lauren Rouse, Shawn Sembach
September 6: Justin Lee
September 7
Jared Hansen,
Betty Ricklefs
Happy Anniversary!
September 5
Kent and Marci Sandven
Sunday,
September 22
Bible Presentation
Sunday
- Classroom Sunday
School begins
- Adult Sunday
School - Daniel 6
Sunday,
September 29
Mission Sunday with
Rev. David Lerseth
- Sunday School
- 6-8 p.m. Faith
Family Night!
Everybody’s Invited! Sunday, Sept. 29
6-8 p.m.
Faith will have an
inter-generational family
night at the church -
potluck food, games, fun and
fellowship! We will officially
welcome Evan Nielsen, too!
Make Plans To Attend!
Toft Electric completed installing conduit and electricity for the sound project.
Launch of LifeKids, Wednesday meal, WoW!, Confirmation
Sunday School!
Online at http://bit.ly/2Z0CxFH
Contact Korrie Anderson - 712.363.3556 -
Forms are available on the kiosk in the back of the church
The Church Office - 712.580.4316 - [email protected]
REGISTER YOUR CHILD - OR CHILDREN - FOR ...
LifeKids!
Online at http://bit.ly/2TgJtJ8
Contact Eric Patten - 712.229.1340 -
Forms are available on the Welcome Center
The Church Office - 712.580.4316 - [email protected]
5:30 p.m. Free Community Meal:
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
6:30 p.m. WoW! Worship:
Super Heroes
of the Bible - Abraham
You can be a
Super Hero for God!
Stephen Ministry
Training Begins! Eric Patten will be teaching
these sessions Thursday,
Sept. 19, at either the 1:30
p.m. class or the 6:30 p.m.
class. If you would like to
be a part of this dynamic
program, please call the
church
office at
580-4316.
Pastor: Lee Laaveg
Technology Director: Lori Krei
Youth Director: Evan Nielsen
Office Assistant: Cheryl Stueven
Worship Director: Denise Laaveg
Church Administrator: Lori Krei
Evangelism and Stephen Ministry Director:
Eric Patten - [email protected]
Custodian: Rich Stueven
YEAR BALANCE
GIVING TO DATE REMAINING ATTENDANCE
JUNE $25,066.53 $156,738.39 $248,900.61 141
JULY $26,310.42 $183,048.81 $222,590.19 156
AUG 1-4 $ 6,636.83 $183,048.81 $222,590.19 160
AUG 5-11 $ 6,984.65 $190,033.46 $215,605.54 175
AUG 12-18 $ 4,215.37 $194,248.83 $211,390.17 157
AUG 19-25 $ 4,871.86 $199,120.69 $206,518.31 218
THANK YOU FOR GENEROUSLY SUPPORTING FAITH LUTHERAN IN 2019!
YEAR TO DATE TOTAL GIVING PLEDGED REMAINING
$49,215.00 $363,207.50 $36,792.50
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
2019 GENERAL OFFERING
AND ATTENDANCE
BUDGET: $405,639.00
Tithes and Offering “May God give you heaven’s dew and
earth’s richness - an abundance of
gran and new wine.” Genesis 27:28
Spencer Hospital Visitation Policy
If you know you are going to be hospitalized or are in the hospital, please
let the church office know. We would like to support you in prayer and
possibly a visit. Spencer Municipal Hospital’s policy is to protect individual
privacy and does not share patient information with clergy.
Faith Lutheran Church Staff:
Thank you to today’s . . .
Worship Leader Gary Klett
Instrumentalists Denise Laaveg, Kevin Skadeland, Jared Hansen,
Conner Essick, Bill McCarroll
Vocalists Brittany Spieker, Rachel Simington, Kirby Fueston
Scripture Reader Justin Spieker
Children’s Message Doug Schwartz
Prayers of the Church Dennis Larson
Nursery Kyle and Jamie Rouse
Altar Prep Colleen Rouse, Linda Conlon
Communion Servers Stan and Jodene Jongma, Lee and Nancy Ketcham
Prayer Intercessors Steve and Theone Quattlebaum
Keith and Diane Van Kleek
Camera Kevin Swancutt
Computer Del Christman
Sound Cheryl Stueven
Lead Tech Lori Krei
Fellowship Hosts Denise Lovitt, Roger and Vickie Godfredsen
Set up: Denise Lovitt
Greeters/Ushers Greg and Ann Lear, Dave and Barb Solberg
Offering Counters Mark Vreeman, Jolene Hansen, Kay Iversen
Next Sunday, September 8
Worship Leader
Instrumentalists Denise Laaveg, Kevin Skadeland, Jared Hansen,
Conner Essick, Bill McCarroll
Vocalists Radina Jansen, Joan Loring, Cassie Simcox
Scripture Reader Carol Heazlett
Children’s Message Eric Patten
Prayers of the Church LaVonne Clark
Nursery
Altar Prep Colleen Rouse, Linda Conlon
Camera Cheryl Stueven
Computer Chase Kooker
Sound Del Christman
Lead Tech Lori Krei
Fellowship Hosts Anne Rosendahl, Marcene Briest, Shirley Kooker
Set up: Marcene Briest
Greeters/Ushers Randy and Barb Enge, Lee and Nancy Ketcham
Offering Counters Greg Lear, Barb Solberg, Lori Krei
T HIS W EEK AT F AITH Today - Sunday, September 1
8:00 a.m. Worship Vocalist and Musician Rehearsal
8:15 a.m. Prayer Time - All are welcome!
9:00 a.m. Worship
Fellowship - Immediately following Worship
10:30 a.m. Large Group Sunday School
Adult Sunday School - Daniel 1
Monday, September 2 - Labor Day
Office is closed.
Tuesday, September 3
1:00 p.m. Staff meeting
Wednesday, September 4
11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Christian Counseling
(Make appointments at 515-238-9010)
3:30 p.m. LifeKids
5:30 p.m. Community Meal - Pulled pork sandwiches
Executive Officers meeting
6:30 p.m. Confirmation
WoW! Worship
Super Heroes of the Bible: Abraham
7:00 p.m. Worship Vocalist Rehearsal
Thursday, September 5
8:30 a.m. Coffee Group
5:30 p.m. Leadership Support Team meeting
Saturday, September 7
7:30 a.m. Men’s Bible Study
Sunday, September 8
8:00 a.m. Worship Vocalist and Musician Rehearsal
8:15 a.m. Prayer Time - All are welcome!
9:00 a.m. Worship
Fellowship - Immediately following Worship
10:30 a.m. Large Group Sunday School
Adult Sunday School - Daniel 3
