· Web viewHeavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word,...

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Transcript of · Web viewHeavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word,...

Page 1: · Web viewHeavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided
Page 2: · Web viewHeavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided

Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

4768 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111office: 652-8285; cell: 319-5424; home: 732-2631;

Email: [email protected] ; Church’s Website: www.ascension-wels.net;

Pastor Robert Green; Officers: President: Gary Graf; Vice President: Chuck Thompson; Secretary: Ralph Buehler; Elders: Gary Graf, Chuck Thompson, Ralph Buehler, Rick Grove; Fellowship: Ron Althoff; Treasurer: Rick Grove;

Properties: Larry Stoner; Publications: Terry Reilly; Stewardship: Franklin Stauffer; Evangelism: Steve Lange; Organists/pianists: Marge Metz, and Brook Larson; Willing Workers: Chairwoman: Barb Buehler; Secretary: Linda Graf; Altar Guild: Barb Buehler; LWMS Reporter: Marge Metz; Choir director: Lori Nowaczyk.

April 5, 2015

Easter Service

We welcome out friends and visitors to worship as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

He is Risen!

Resurrection 2 by Carl Bloch

“Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” I tell you the truth: your grief will turn to

joy!”

We welcome our friends, and visitors to worship as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

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A personal prayer for before worship from page 10 in the hymnal Christian Worship: Heavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided attention I may hear your voice and sing your praise. Amen.

Our Ascension Choir sings from the Hymnal Supplement hymn 719 Christ Has Arisen, Alleluia1

PASTOR: He is risen!

CONGREGATION: He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

PASTOR: Where, O death, is your victory? Where O death, is your sting?

CONGREGATION: Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our risen and living Savior, Jesus Christ!

Holy Baptism

This Easter morn we are given the privilege of watching the miracle of faith worked in the heart of Tyler O’Connor Larson born son of Eric and Kimberly Larson, born March 9, 2015, and, God willing, born again in holy baptism this day, April 5, 2015.

This order incorporates Holy Baptism into congregational worship by combining the Sacrament of Baptism with the Confession of Sins. Martin Luther said that confessing sins and receiving forgiveness is nothing else than a reliving of Baptism. Thus this order provides opportunity not only to baptize but also to recall the lasting blessings of Baptism.

Please stand.

1 This Tanzanian Eater hymn reminds us that the empty tomb is a message that transcends all time and culture. Text: Bernard Kyamanywa, b. 1938; tr. Howard S. Olson, b. 1922 © 1977 Howard S. Olson; admin. Augsburg FortressTune MFURAHINI HALEUYA (99 99 and Refrain) Public Domain; Tanzanian. under OneLicense A-718321

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M: The grace of our Lord † Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.

C: And also with you.

CONFESSION OF SINS

M: Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded Baptism when he said: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” All of us are born into this world with a deep need for Baptism. From our parents we inherit a sinful nature; we are without true fear of God and true faith in God and are condemned to eternal death. But Jesus took away our sin by giving his life on the cross. At our baptisms he clothes us with the robe of his righteousness and gives us a new life. Our sinful nature need not control us any longer. We recall what Baptism means for our daily lives as we speak these words:

C: Baptism means that the sinful nature in us should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

M: As baptized children of God we confess our sins:

C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful, and that I have disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son † and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen.

Please be seated.4

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We join in singing hymn 300 See This Wonder in the Making, verses 1-2.

Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, b.1979 TRYOGARE KAN INGEN VARATune: Swedish folk tune, 19th century. LM Trochaic Used by permission, Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

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SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

M: In obedience to the command of our Lord and trusting in his promise, you have brought this child to be baptized. Jesus told us: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” It is in Baptism that God grants the new life of forgiveness, joy, and peace to little children. By the power of God’s Word, this gracious water of life washes away sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe.

M: Receive the sign of the cross on the head and heart † to mark you as a redeemed child of Christ.

The minister applies water as he says: Tyler Larson, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—has forgiven all your sins. By your baptism, you are born again and made a dear child of your Father in heaven. May God strengthen you to live in your baptismal grace all the days of your life. Peace be with you.

STAND

EXHORTATION

M: Brothers and sisters in Christ, our Lord commands that we teach his precious truths to all who are baptized. Christian love therefore urges all of us, especially parents and sponsors, to assist in whatever manner possible so that Tyler may remain a child of God until death. If you are willing to carry out this responsibility, then answer: Yes, as God gives me strength.C: Yes, as God gives me strength.

M: Let us pray.

Merciful Father in heaven, we thank you for the blessing of Baptism by which you offer and grant the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. Help us to regard our baptisms as the robe of righteousness we are to wear all the days of our lives. Look with special favor on Tyler and grant him a rich measure of your Spirit that he may grow in faith and godly living. Make us willing to carry out our

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responsibilities to those who have been baptized, so that all of us may finally come to the blessed joys of heaven, through Jesus our Lord.C: Amen.

We join in singing hymn 300 See This Wonder in the Making, verses 3-4, pg 4.

Pastor: O come let us sing for joy to the Lord. Let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation.

CONGREGATION: We come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and songs.

Pastor: Christ has risen from the dead!

Prayer: (All) O living and risen Savior Jesus, we come before you today to worship and praise you for delivering us from sin, death and the devil. We thank you for allowing us to live a full and joy filled life free from the fear of eternal punishment and free from the fear of death itself. Bless our worship this morning and strengthen our faith, increase our love and joy. Amen.

First reading: The song of Moses and the Israelites foreshadows our song of joy on this day. The evil foe sought to pull us back into the slavery of sin. Yet the hand of the Lord has saved his people. Just as he rescued the Israelites through the waters of the Red Seas, so he has rescued us from sin and death through water and the Word. He has connected to the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of his one and only Son through the waters of baptism.

Isaiah 25:6–9 (NIV84)

6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,

a banquet of aged wine— the best of meats and the finest of wines.

7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,

the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears 7

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from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people

from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

9 In that day they will say,

“Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.

This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”

Psalm 118 In this psalm, the Church sings of the wonderful victory God gives to those who believe, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”

The Lord is my strength 'and my song;* he has become my sal'vation.

The Lord's right hand is 'lifted high;*the Lord's right hand has done 'mighty things!

I will not 'die but live,*and will proclaim what the 'Lord has done.

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RefrainI will give you thanks, for you 'answered me;*you have become my sal'vation.

The stone the builders rejected has become the 'capstone;*the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous 'in our eyes.

This is the day the 'Lord has made;*let us rejoice and be 'glad in it.

Glory be to the Father and 'to the Son*and to the Holy 'Spirit,as it was in the be'ginning,*is now, and will be forever. 'Amen.

RefrainRefrain, Tune and setting: Marty Haugen. c 1983 GIA Publications, Inc., Chicago IL. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Psalm Tone *Tune and setting: c 1993 Kermit G. Moldenhauer. Used by permission.

Second reading: The message of the Gospel, Christ crucified for our sins and raised to life for our justification, is the power of salvation for everyone who believes. Let there be no doubt: Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Not just in our minds and hearts, he has risen in the flesh. Paul appeals to eyewitnesses who still lived and told what they had seen. Christ resurrection had no doubt; so neither does its power. The power of this message enters our hearts by the grace of God and fills us with resurrection joy.

1 Corinthians 15:19–26 (NIV84)

19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and

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power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

Confession of faith: Luther’s Explanation of the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord. He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessedness, just as he has risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally. This is most certainly true.

Gospel reading: With the women, we have traveled along with Jesus through his Passion and watched as he was laid in the tomb. But the final trip to the tomb doesn’t reveal the finality of death. Rather, it reveals the finality for death. What a change! Death has been swallowed up in victory; Christ has risen just as he said! Death no longer has mastery over us. Easter means that death ends in life!

Mark 16:1–8 (NIV84)

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7

But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

8 Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. 10

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Hymn: 149 Christ the Lord is Risen Today (verses 1-2)

Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-88, abr., alt. ORIENTIS PARTIBUSTune: Pierre de Corbeille, d. 1221, adapt. 77 77 Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

Hymn 143: He's Risen, He's Risen (verses 1, and 4) next page

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Sermon Hymn 157: Jesus Christ is Risen Today (1and 3)

Text: Latin Hymn. 14th century, st. 1-3; Charles Wesley, 1707-88, st. 4: tr. Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, st. 1-3, alt. Easter HymnTune: Lyra Davidica, London, 1708, alt.; Dese. Hymns Ancient and Modern, London, 1955 77 77 with AlleluiasDescant © 1955, Renewed by Hope Pubishing Co. Reprinted under OneLicense A-718321

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The Easter Message: by Pastor Robert Green based on John 16:16-22 (NIV84)

I Tell You the Truth . . . Your Grief Will Turn to Joy

16 “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

17 Some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

Offering: A time to give to the Lord out of thanks for what he has given us: eternal life! During the offering we sing verses 1, and 8 of Hymn 152 I Know that My Redeemer Lives.

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The Prayer of the Church for Easter

Pastor: O Lord God, our strength, our song, and our salvation, you fulfilled your promises by the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, from the dead.

Congregation: Thanks be to God! You give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pastor: In your compassion you sent Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life to rescue the lost.

Congregation: Drive out all doubt and gloom that we may delight in your glorious triumph.

Pastor: Lift our eyes heavenward to see him who lives to make intercession for the saints, and grant us confidence in the greatness of his power. Keep before us the vision of your redeemed people standing before your throne and singing the song of victory.

Congregation: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive wisdom and power and honor and glory and praise.

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Pastor: Make us instruments of your peace as we bring the good news of the empty tomb and hope and new life to those around us. Guide us in the use of all that you have entrusted to us: our time, our talents, and our treasures.

Congregation: Risen Lord, live in us that we may live for you.

Pastor: Merciful Lord Jesus, grant healing to the sick, and strengthen the faith of the suffering and dying. Assure them of your abiding presence, and comfort them with the hope of eternal life.

(Special prayers are now offered)

Hear us Lord, as we bring you our private prayers this Easter morning.

During the silent prayer offer prays for the following: Please let Pastor Green know of any prayer requests for you or your loved ones.

for those with cancer: Dirk Martinez; Brian Terry (Brenda Thompson’s nephew), Bob Dunlop friend of Pastor Green; Rendell Wolfe, relative of Barb Penstone for bone cancer; Grace Glenn, Patti Reed’s step-mother; Kathleen Woodall, Jeanne Green’s sister; Anthony Pockey, Lance’s father; Shirley Maxwell; Solfryd, Ann-Helen’s mother; Jim Terry, Brenda Thompson’s brother-in-law; Diane Collins, daughter-in-law of Richard and Lilla Collins;

for those with heart issues: Karen Bray, Vyonne Stephenson’s daughter, Helen Crogle, friend of Phyllis Cross; Paul Kraft;

for other health issues: Birgit Peltzer, friend of Pastor and Jeanne; Barbara Stottlelmeyer, Kimberly Larson’s grandmother, for health issues; Joylynn Larson, for multiple sclerosis; Paul Glenn, (Patti Reed’s brother) for vision problems; for Steve Murray, for stroke; Ann Swan, for kidney problems; Sonia Schmidt for cerebral palsy; Evelyn Kraft for lung issues; Bob Leathe for arthritis, heart, and kidney issues; Faye Falcone Phyllis Cross’s sister for eyesight; Doris Allen sister of Bob Leathe for a stroke.

for faith, health and welfare: Erika and Marlin Hauer, Kundry’s parents; Sharon Miller, Phyllis Cross’ niece; Jordan Glenn; Daniel Reed; Destiny Reed; Patrick Collins; Pam Seed; Ryan Collins; Billy Martin; Chris and Heather and sons Dalton and Dane;

for our world and home mission work; for our college students: Eric Metz, Steven Nowaczyk, Lori

Nowaczyk, and Tim Rowe.16

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for those in the military: Brian Easter, Sarah Buehler; Lance J. Pockey; Alyssa Briggs; Dennis Willie; Anthony R. Pockey.

Pastor: Gracious Father, you have restored to us the joy of your salvation. With happy hearts, we come before you and say:

Congregation: Alleluia! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Please standThe Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The SacramentPreface

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M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Christ, our Lord, and we praise you especially for the glorious resurrection of your Son, the true Passover Lamb, who by his sacrifice took away the sins of the world and by his resurrection restored everlasting life.

Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

Holy, Holy, Holy Sanctus

Words of Institution

M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

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Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, “Drink from it all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. Do this whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

M: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

O Christ, Lamb of GodAgnus Dei

Please be seated

The Distribution

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During the distribution the congregation joins in singing hymn 148 The Strife Is O’er, the Battle Done

Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis

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M: O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.

M: We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us with this holy supper. We pray that through it you will strengthen our faith in you and increase our love for one another. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Prayer for peace

Pastor: Lord God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you. Give to us, your servants, the peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments. Defend us also from the fear of our enemies that we may live in peace and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

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Congregation: Amen

The Benediction

Congregation: Amen!

Please be seated

Closing Hymn: 145 Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won, (vs. 1, 3, and 5)

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May God grant a blessed Easter to all of you!

We offer our thanks to our choir director Lori Nowaczyk, our organist Marge Metz, and to the members of our choir.

Our thanks to all who provided and serve the Easter Brunch this morning.

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A prayer for after worship from page 11 of Christian Worship, A Lutheran Hymnal

Good Shepherd, I was glad to be here, gathered with your flock to worship you. Cause the Word I have heard to take root in my heart and bear fruit in my life. Guide me in paths of righteousness, that my words and actions might lead others to glorify you. Grant, O Lord, that the lips which have sung your praise may continue to glorify you in the world; that the ears which have heard you speak may be open always to your Word and closed to hatred and discord; that the tongues which have confessed your name may always speak the truth without fear; that all of us who have worshiped together today may be united in true love for each other as you have loved us in Jesus. Amen!

This is a short summary of what we believe here at Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church:

We believe: that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant and infallible Word of God; that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and therefore cannot save themselves. That we are saved by grace alone through faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ, who lived, died and rose again.

We also believe that it is the mission and responsibility of every member to reach out with the Gospel to all nations. That everything we do as a congregation should support this purpose. As servants of Christ, these beliefs will lead us to use our time, talents and treasures for the growth, preservation and the extension of Christ's Kingdom.

Attendance: last Sunday: ; Seder Meal: ; Maundy Thursday service: ; Good Friday service:

Internet Attendance this week: six computers watched the service live last Sunday. So far eleven computers watched the service at a later time.

This week there were seventy visits to the website, including seventeen from five towns and cities in and around Harrisburg (six from Linglestown, three from New Cumberland, two from Carlisle, one each from Dillsburg and Hershey) and four from Philadelphia.

There were visits from eight different countries including fifty-nine visits from sixteen US states, five from Brazil, one each from Bahamas, Canada, China, Germany, South Korea, and an unidentified country. 24

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If we have missed anyone’s birthday or anniversary, please tell Pastor Green.

April Birthday’sRay Jones 4/2, Steve Lange 4/9, Sarah Buehler 4/16, Pastor Green 4/21

AnniversariesTim & Audrey Rowe 4/5, Mark & Marge Metz 4/26

Ushers for April: Steve Lange and Chuck Thompson

Today, April 5, 2015, at Ascension:

9:00 am Easter Brunch 10:30am Worship Service

The week of April 6 th at Ascension:

Wed. April 8th: 10:30am Bible study- Galatians6:00pm Local children’s piano recital

Thurs. April 9th: 7:00pm Bible study on the Book of Romans

Sun. April 12th: 9:15am Bible study for adults – Augsburg Confession10:30am Worship Service – Sunday school dismissal after the Children’s Devotion

11:45am to 12:15pm Bible study – Worship

April and May upcoming events:

Wed. Apr. 15th: 6:30pm Elders Meeting 7:00pm Church Council

Mon. Apr. 20th through Wed. Apr. 22nd: Pastor attending the Spring Pastor Conference at Peace, King of Prussia, PA,

Tues. April 21st: 7:00pm Concert perform for us by Chris Driesbach.

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Wed. May 6th: 9:00am Dodge City Breakfast Brunch

Sun: May 17th: Congregation Forum after the service

Mon. May 18th: 6:30pm Elders Meeting 7:00pm Church Council

Sat. May 30th: Apologetics Course for all members,1:30-4:30, presented by Professor Allen Quist on his book, "Many Convincing Proofs" at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, East Brunswick. There will be a potluck lunch at 12:30 p.m. and the presentation will be 1:30 - 4:30 PM. Those interested in attending can carpool departing from church at 9:45am.

General Information:

A Brief Biography of Chris Driesbach who will be preform in concert for us on Tuesday April, 21, 2015 at 7:00pm.

Chris is a member of Lamb of God Lutheran Church in Madison Alabama and during the last seven-plus years I’ve been on many musical tours, playing concerts at over 600 WELS and ELS churches in 35 states from Anchorage Alaska to Orlando Florida. My songs are all original Christian music and I love to tell the story of our church and my journey to faith.

I played music professionally for 30 years on the west coast. I was an atheist until age 33, and after that sort of a new-age spiritualist. 9 years later I became a Lutheran and a Christian at the same time in 1995. Faith Lutheran Church and Pastor James Oldfield in Anchorage Alaska were my first church and pastor. We went through a 22-week Bible study course together. Pastor Oldfield read to me out of the Bible when I asked him all of the hardest questions I could think of and after 6 weeks of his class I was given the gift of faith by the Spirit working though God’s Word. My life completely changed, of course!

I’ve been writing Christian songs for the last 8 years, including a song about my personal experience with hurricane Katrina when I lived in New Orleans as a member of Crown of Life WELS. I have recorded 6 Christian CDs; “Lifted” in 2006 and 2007, “Feed Your Faith” in 2008, “Let Christ Be Known” 2009, a

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Page 27: · Web viewHeavenly Father, I have come to worship you. Draw near to me in your gracious Word, and assure me of your loving kindness. Curb my wandering thoughts, that with undivided

collection of hymns also in 2009, “Jesus Is the Man!” finished in October 2010, and my new one done in July 2012 called “One Cross, Three Nails.”

On November 10th of 2012 I was married to a wonderful lady, my new wife Cindi. We live in Huntsville Alabama, known as “Rocket City” because of all the NASA-related activity here. My plans are to continue a limited schedule playing music in our churches about 20 weeks per year. The rest of the time I’m a house-husband support system for my wife who is an RN in administration at the Huntsville hospital.

You can learn more about Chris and play some of his music on his website: http://www.chrisdriesbach.com

New Sign Fund: The church council has decided it would be good to replace our sign out front with a perpendicular sign, which would be much more readable by those passing by. If you would like to contribute, please do so by marking your envelope. Please remember we continue to need regular offerings.

Lutheran Pioneers: Eric Larson is heading the Pioneer program that is for young children and meets once a month. There are T-shirts available. Parents please make sure we have the right size for your child or children.

Ascension Choir: To Singers and Wannabe Singers!   We need you!  If you would like to join our choir, please speak to our director Lori Nowaczyk.

Target shooting club: Join us on the last Saturday of each month at the Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers Club. You must be a member or guest to go. For more information please ask Pastor Green, or Tammy McGhee.

Ascension will host the 2015 Joint Reformation Service Saturday October 31 st . Ascension will be responsible to provide the meal and refreshments. The Circuit will provide an organist and choir director.

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