1

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER “Becoming One”

May 28, 2017

PASTOR: Greg Volzke CHURCH PHONE: 402-744-4971

HOME PHONE: 402-744-4961 CELL PHONE: 402-984-8981

PRINCIPAL: Doug Eisele SCHOOL PHONE: 402-744-4991

HEAD ELDER: Mike Schukei ORGANIST: Madeline Kmiec

HEAD USHER: Brad Uden

USHERS: Nathan Anderson, Dane Eislel,

Drew Katzberg, Deric Goldenstein, Sawyer Brumbaugh

ACOLYTES: Morgan Burr Elizabeth Anderson Rylee Legg Caiden Milam

GREETERS: Gordon and Sandy Jacobitz

†††

WELCOME: Welcome in our Savior’s name – and thanks for sharing with us today in

Christ’s love and peace! We pray that our worship together increases

your faith and joy in Christian living. If you are a visitor, please sign the

pew cards and place them in the offering plate. If you are not an active

member of another Christian church, we encourage you to visit us often

and inquire into teachings and practices of our church. We’re glad you

are here, and hope you’ll join us again soon!

AS WE GATHER

Where is eternal life? Eternal life is wherever Jesus is. That includes everywhere Jesus

has been in His life on this earth—serving, healing, teaching, living, dying, rising, and

ascending. It includes everywhere Jesus will be—living and reigning at the Father’s right

hand in His everlasting kingdom in the new creation. Eternal life is also everywhere Jesus

is now—coming among His people through His Word written, spoken, and proclaimed,

and His Sacraments in water, bread, and wine. Finally, eternal life is wherever Jesus is

with you—in your thoughts, words, and acts of kindness in daily love and service to your

neighbor.

PREPARATION

HYMN “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today” ……………..#457

2

INVOCATION

Pastor: We begin with the same powerful Word that made us alive through

baptism; In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

OPENING SENTENCES

Psalm 68:4–5

Pastor: Alleluia! Christ is risen!

People: He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Pastor: Sing to God, sing praises to His name;

People: lift up a song to Him who rides through the deserts;

Pastor: His name is the LORD;

People: exult before Him!

Pastor: Father of the fatherless and protector of widows

People: is God in His holy habitation.

CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Pastor: O God, who is One in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, we confess that we are

by nature servants of disunity and division.

People: We have not lived in harmony with You, with other people, or with

ourselves. Forgive our turning away and by Your grace, restore us to

oneness for the sake of Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave Himself

for us.

Pastor: Upon this your confession I, as a servant of Christ and by His authority,

forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of

the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

WORD

HYMN OF PRAISE “You Only Son, No Sin to Hide’ ……………..#550

SALUTATION

Pastor: The Lord Comes to be with us in this hour.

People: Come, Lord, unite us to the Father and to one another.

3

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Pastor: Let us pray. Almighty God, You are the Creator all things and the Author

of all life. Grant that we may receive eternal life by knowing You, the only

true God, entrusting our lives to Jesus, the One You have sent; through

Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the

Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

People: Amen.

FIRST READING ……….Acts 1:12–26

(A new witness to Jesus’ resurrection)

EPISTLE ………………..1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11

(Suffering with grace)

HOLY GOSPEL ………John 17:1–11

(Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer)

CREED (Apostles Creed, as found on the last page of the Hymnal.)

HYMN OF THE DAY “In Christ Alone” ………………[DVD by Mercy Me]

SERMON “Torn by the Roaring Lion or United In Christ?” Text: I Peter 5:8

The final verse contains the expressed desire that Jesus has for His Church; that

we be united as one body.

The desire of the enemy is, like a “roaring lion” to tear us apart.

Unity in the body of Christ seems to be high on the list of the priorities of God

and Satan.

We must confess that our own pride and selfishness fights against unity just as

hard as Satan.

All Satan has to do is to get us to focus on how others have hurt us or on what we

think we deserve.

That is why Peter profess’ his remark about the roaring lion with “therefore

humble yourselves under God’s might hand.”

Why does Satan work so hard to destroy oneness in the Church? When the world

sees the people of God hurting and fighting one another, it destroys our witness so

that those outside the faith will likely remain lost.

4

Our prayer is not, that the other person will stop doing wrong to me and treat me

nicer. We have no power to change another person. Instead, our prayer is that the

Holy Spirit change me!

Those are hard prayers, because they are asking that God do a work in my heart

and change me in ways my human nature will resist.

Resisting is not possible from pushing evil away but from drawing close to God.

OFFERING

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

LORD’S PRAYER

(Matthew 6:9–13)

BENEDICTION

Pastor: The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24–26

People: Amen.

HYMN “Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise” …………#680

From Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, Series A, Part 2. Copyright © 2016 Concordia Publishing House.

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

††† COMING UP AT CHRIST LUTHERAN:

May 28… 9:00am - SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:00am - ADULT BIBLE CLASS

10:00am - WORSHIP

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MON…May 29 MEMORIAL DAY

BULLITEN ITEMS ARE DUE TUES…May 30

WED…31

THURS…June 1

FRI…2

5

SAT...3

NEXT SUNDAY:

June 4… 9:00am - SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:00am - ADULT BIBLE CLASS

10:00am - WORSHIP/COMMUNION †††

PRAYER - The power of prayer goes largely untapped, yet it is the life breath of the

church. Please remember these families in your prayers this week:

Brent and Kristin Katzberg, Ayden & Abigail

Bryce and Becky, Danielle & Andrew

Chad and Elizabeth Katzberg, Clay, Eleanor, Selma

MISSION

Pray for Leah Jasske, the granddaughter of Del & Fran Jacobitz who is

going on a mission to Costa Rica to Life Gate School. Pray for protection

and for opportunities to share Christ.

HEALING PRAYERS

Gabrielle Jacobson (Charlotte’s granddaughter) will be having ear surgery May 30, this

requires moving her brain.

Sandy Jacobitz recovering from eye surgery.

EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Angela Mietl

Lisa Hoefs

ONGOING ILLNESS Michelle Kothes’~ Mother

Patrick Hermann ~ MS

Dave Junker ~ MS

Johnna Burr ~ auto immune

Becky Struss

CANCER TREATMENT

Donna Kothe

Jeremy Aldridge

6

THOSE WITH CANCER

Jaron and Jens Jacobitz friend Peter in Mozambique with leukemia

Cora and Danola’s Brother-in-law Roy

Dan Struss, Gene Weber, Pegs Cousin

Clee Wolzke, Seth Ostrander, Jeremy Aldridge

Gordon Jacobitz, Neal Hoagland

GENERAL NEEDS The nation & our leaders

The military & those who protect us

The poor and unemployed Persecuted Church

Victims of terrorism and disasters

†††

SUNDAY MORNING YOUTH CLASSES

Preschool – Growing in Christ by Concordia Publishing House This curriculum will take

students through the stories of the bible, draw connections to the Small Catechism, and help

them learn the traditions of the Lutheran Church.

Kindergarten-2nd grade –I Stand in Awe by Children Desiring God. This study seeks to

acquaint young children with the characteristics of the Bible and its message of redemption.

The goal is for children to develop a deep affection for the Bible and learn to treasure its

Author.

3-4th Grade - The Way of the Wise by Children Desiring God (28 weeks) This curriculum

uses the book of Proverbs and other Bible passages to contrast the way of the foolish with the

way of the wise. Children will learn the meaning of the fear of the Lord, the treasure of

wisdom, and the only way to enter the way of the wise--through Jesus Christ.

5-6th Grade - Fight the Good Fight by Children Desiring God Christians must be fighters:

that is, fighters in the battle for faith! This study identifies various battlegrounds of

temptation, and equips children with strategies for fighting against sin.

Junior/Senior High Have completed the “One year through the Bible. Now we will learn a

little Greek and Hebrew, the original language of the Bible.

Nursery provided for children under the age of 3.

If you are interested in doing some substitute teaching please contact

Kristen Anderson at 402.984.7362

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS- I and II Timothy will give direction for living in

and leading the church.

7

HELP IS NEEDED FOR CHILD-CARE ON SUNDAY MORNING

Please consider helping with child-care on Sunday during bible class from 9-10:00 in

the preschool room. Call Pastor or the office if you feel the call to minister to these young

families.

NEW WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY TO BEGIN IN JUNE Are you in need of a spiritual pick me up this summer? Come join us on

Tuesday evenings on Peg Volzke’s deck @ 7 p.m. beginning June 6, as

we enjoy some fellowship, God’s beautiful creation, and get our spirits

lifted as we examine the Women of the New Testament. Through this

study we will learn about the diverse women of the new testament like

Lydia who shows us how to influence the people around us, Elizabeth, who challenges us to care

for others or Herodias and Sapphira, whose lives warn us against turning away from God toward

bitterness and dishonesty. There is no cost, just be sure to bring your Bible and invite a friend.

ELDERS MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 5, 7:30PM

“Called to Share Christ”, it is the role of your elders to care for the

spiritual needs of the congregation so that we might all be equipped to

share Christ with our neighbors. We invite the members of Christ

Lutheran to share with us any way that we might serve you as a member

and how we might guide the church to reach out to our community. If you have business

for the elders, please let one of them or the Pastor know. If you need to speak with an

elder, they are available to listen to your concerns and help you with spiritual and

physical needs.

COUNCIL MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 12, 7:30PM

“Called to Share Christ” all boards and committees working together

in Christ move the ministry of Christ Lutheran forward. Please have

reports and representatives attend so that we might coordinate the

ministry to more effectively reach our community with the Gospel of

Christ.

ZION LUTHERAN’S SALAD LUNCHEON 465 S. Marian Rd., Hastings,

Friday, June 2, 11:00am 1:00pm. Tickets are 700 available at the door.

The proceeds will be used for Wealth of Generosity. More info call 402-462-5012

8

LLL ZONE 8, Hastings Area Fish Feed 2017, Friday, June 16th

from 5:15-7:00pm.

You are invited to fellowship with us at Zion Lutheran church, 465 Marian rd, Hastings in

the West Fellowship Hall. Freewill offering for OGT.

CLS WORK DAY JUNE 24th

9 AM CLS is looking for a few volunteers to help with the new

Early Childhood Playground. If you are able to help out, please contact Mr. Eisele.

VBS Decorations

We are in need of 400 Gallon Milk jugs. Please wash them

out. We are also looking for stuffed polar animals like polar

bears, husky dogs, white rabbits, Narwhal, Musk Ox, seal,

otters, or whale.

VBS COMMISIONING –On June 11th

, we ask that all the VBS leaders and

helpers would attend the Worship Service, as Pastor Volzke will be having a

special prayer for us, asking God to guide and bless us as we minister to the

children that God has brought into our care during VBS.

POTLUCK & WORK DAY FOR VBS-If you would like to help with the

decorating for VBS you are welcome to join us June 11th

for a potluck

meal right after church; and then we will begin working in the afternoon

to get everything ready for Monday morning.

Operation Arctic VBS June 12 -16

th, 2017

Your child will be exploring the one –of-a-kind treasure.

The BIBLE! Come join our team, Operation Arctic VBS June 12-16

th! Here

God’s children of all ages will discover that God’s Word has all the

answers for their lives!

9

VBS VOLUNTEERS MEETING

We will be having a VBS Work Day, Thursday, June 8th

@ 1:30 p.m.,

at our meeting we will have staff training for the leaders, be putting

together name tags, preparing some of the crafts, and making decoration

preparations. This is a great opportunity for you to do your part even if

you can’t help at other times.

OUTDOOR WORSHIP, SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 10:00

“Called to Share Christ”, The VBS closing service will

share the theme of the week at our

Annual Outdoor Worship on June 18 at 10:00AM.

Wanted: Prayer Warriors

We are asking for your prayer support in leading the children the Lord has brought

to us for VBS. We have approximately 87 children signed up. Pray for each of the

students to have open hearts to the Word and to see it as relevant to their lives.

Please say a prayer of thanks for each of these willing servants who are leading

various areas like Bible story, crafts, games, snacks, decorating, opening and

closings, and music, as well as, the various group leaders. Pray for God to bless

them with an extra measure of His Holy Spirit as they make preparation and during

this special week June 12 -16th. Ask Him to bless them with discernment, wisdom,

patience, good discipline, love for the students in their care and

to be a living example of Christ

Throughout the week.

We will be having a prayer walk through the church and school, right after

lunch on June 11th

and would love to have you join us.

10

We invite everyone to stay for the picnic to follow. Drinks will be

provided and a grill will be available. Bring your meat to grill and side

dishes to share. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don’t Intimidate, and Don’t Be Intimidated

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power,

of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

One of the most famous intimidators in the Bible was Goliath. He boasted, ‘Come… and I will

give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!’ (1 Samuel 17:44). But David

didn’t have ‘a spirit of … timidity,’ so he replied, ‘This day the LORD will hand you over to me,

and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head’ (v. 46). Intimidators count on you to wilt in the

face of verbal attack. That’s why you must let them know you refuse to give in, and that you have

the God-given strength to resist their tactics. God never intended anyone to oppress or dominate

another person. So stand up for yourself today in His strength! And if you are the intimidator, ask

yourself why you feel the need to gain power and control over others. Indeed, you may need the

help of a seasoned counsellor to help you work through it. Intimidators often grow up in a chaotic

or negative environment in which they feel powerless to change their circumstances. As a result

they vow never to allow their lives to be out of control again, so they seek control instead. But

their so-called strength just masks their insecurities and fears. Whatever the cause, intimidators

can never hope to have a meaningful relationship with anyone they force into submission. And

since the spirit of intimidation doesn’t come from God, there’s only one other source - Satan.

Understand this: God is in control of every aspect of your life, so you’ve no need to control, or be

controlled by, the behavior of others.

Prayer Heavenly Father, keep me from being one that intimidates others and protect me from

being intimidated. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

You Must Forgive Them

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone,

forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark 11:25

When asked which emotions contribute most to physical illness, a group of eminent doctors said,

‘Anger and unforgiveness’. That’s because over time they release deadly toxins into your body.

One doctor said, ‘It’s not what you are eating, but what’s eating you that threaten your health’.

When someone hurts you, there are four things you should do:

1) Talk to them. Now, there’s a right time, a right place, and a right way to do it. Before you say

anything, ask God to guide your thoughts and words. Then say what’s in your heart in a loving,

low-key, non-judgmental way. After that, leave the rest with God. He can do a better job of

changing things than you can.

11

2) Don’t retaliate. When you’re tempted to lash out at someone, stop and remember the price

Jesus paid to take away the sins you commit. Seeing your offender through God’s eyes will help

you to forgive just about anybody.

3) Let it go. As long as you dwell on the issue it’ll keep hurting you. You may let someone off

your hook, but that doesn’t mean they’re off God’s hook. He will deal with them the right way

and bring about the right result, which is something you can’t do.

4) Ask God to bless them. You say, ‘Are you serious?’. Yes; Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies, do

good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who ill-treat you’ (Luke

6:27-28). And when Jesus tells you to do something, He gives you the grace to do it.

Prayer Heavenly Father, help me forgive LIKE YOU forgive me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Don’t Talk Too Much!

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your

hands, just as we told you, 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Dr. Joe R. Brown of Rochester, Minnesota, tells of the frustration he encountered while trying to

take a physical history on a patient. The man’s wife kept answering every question. Finally, Dr.

Brown requested that she leave the room. But after she left he discovered that her husband

couldn’t speak. Calling the wife back, Dr. Brown apologized for not realizing the man had

aphasia - loss of speech - and couldn’t speak a word. The wife was even more astonished -

because she didn’t know either! The Bible says there’s ‘a time to be silent and a time to speak’

(Ecclesiastes 3:7).Why? Because communicating too little can destroy a relationship, and so can

talking too much. Sometimes we talk because we’re lonely and have few opportunities to speak to

others; other times it’s because we love the sound of our own voice. Whatever your motivation,

excessive talking can hurt you. That’s why Paul writes, ‘Study to be quiet’. To ‘study’ implies

striving or intense effort. And if you have a ‘motor mouth’ it’ll take intense effort and discipline

to overcome this entrenched habit. Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to say less than you know;

sometimes your power in a situation comes from silence, not words. Anxious people tend to

blabber on, and when you’re negotiating that can put you at a distinct disadvantage because it tips

the other person off that you’re insecure. When Jesus stood before Pilate to be judged, ‘He

opened not His mouth’ (Isaiah 53:7). Why? Because Jesus wasn’t on trial - Pilate was! And Jesus

knew it. Here’s the bottom line: You usually learn more by listening - so don’t talk too much!

Prayer Heavenly Father, help me keep my words short and my ears open to listen more than I speak. In

Jesus’ Name, Amen

Having Faith in God’s Faithfulness

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Do you feel like God is leading you to do a certain thing or move in a certain direction and you’re

feeling anxious because you’ve got lots of unanswered questions? Then read this: ‘By faith

Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an

inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going’ (Hebrews 11:8). That’s what you

must do too! Not only will you not have answers to all your questions, sometimes you won’t be

12

able to explain what you’re doing to the people you love either. God’s Word says, ‘He who calls

you is faithful, who also will do it’. So you can say, ‘I don’t know all the details or how this is

going to work out, but I know God has promised to be faithful and that’s all I need’. In other

words, your faith is in the faithfulness of God. It doesn’t get any better than that! ‘Blessed be the

LORD, who has given rest to His people ... according to all that He promised. There has not

failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised’ (1 Kings 8:56). Even if you stumble

on the road to success, the Bible says, ‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful’ (2

Timothy 2:13).Will Satan attack you? Yes. ‘But the Lord is faithful, who will establish ... and

guard you from the evil one’ (2 Thessalonians 3:3). Knowing that, your attitude should be

to ‘hold fast the confession of [your] hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful’

(Hebrews 10:23). Today have faith in God’s faithfulness.

Prayer Heavenly Father, even when I don’t have all the answers, I know You do and I trust You

to lead me where You would want me to go and watch over me on the journey. In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Doorways

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12

Imagine a long, dark hallway with a series of doors on either side. Written on each one is the

name of an addiction such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, gambling, etc. Your teenager

must walk down that hallway on their journey to adulthood, and their temptation to open those

doors will be great. They can hear the beat of the music and the loud laughter of their friends

echoing from inside. The pressure to join them can be enormous. And it’s very difficult to

convince a fun-loving adolescent that they should stay in the dark hallway, which seems so

boring and embarrassing. Unfortunately for a certain percentage of individuals who open one or

more of these doors, a tragedy begins to unfold. If a person is susceptible - and there’s no way to

know in advance - he or she only has to crack the door an inch or two and a monster will run out

and grab them. And some will be held in its grip for life. If you talk to an addict about his or her

addiction you’ll learn that it probably began casually - with no hint that life was about to take a

tragic turn. It all started with opening a door. Solomon bottom-lines it in two Scriptures: 1) ‘My

son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us” … do not walk in the way

with them, keep your foot from their path’ (Proverbs 1:10-11, 15). 2) ‘There is a way that seems

right to a man, but its end is the way of death.’

Prayer Heavenly Father, use me to be a source of Positive Influence on the life of another, to

help them get out of a room they should not be in or find it hard to get out of. In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Two Questions

"Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look around and see. Is any suffering like my

suffering that was inflicted on me, that the LORD brought on me in the day of his fierce

anger? Lamentations 1:12 John Griffin, who controlled a railway drawbridge over the Mississippi River, took his young son to work

with him one day. After putting the massive drawbridge up, Griffin was eating lunch when suddenly he

13

heard the whistle of the Memphis Express roaring towards the crossing. Leaping from the observation deck,

he ran to throw the control switch. Glancing down, his heart stopped! His son had fallen into the gears,

trapping his leg in the cogs. Desperately he tried to devise a rescue plan, but there was no time. His son was

down there - but there were four hundred passengers on the train! Griffin knew what he had to do. Burying

his face in his arm, he pushed the master switch just in time to lower the bridge into place as the train

thundered across. Then raising his head he looked into the passing windows with tear-filled eyes. There

were businessmen casually reading the newspaper, ladies sipping coffee, and children eating ice cream.

Nobody even looked at the control house or glanced down at the great gearbox. In agony Griffin cried out,

‘I sacrificed my son for you people. Don’t you care?’ But as the train rushed by, nobody heard the

anguished father’s words. On this Good Friday as we consider the cross where God sacrificed His Son for

each of us, He’s asking: ‘Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by?’ The question then

becomes: ‘What…shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’ (Matthew 27:22). There is only one right

answer to that question: ‘Today, I accept You as my Savior and my Lord.’

Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your only Son for me so that I may have life! In Jesus’

Name, Amen

14