Ascension Lutheran Church

THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD LITTLETON, COLORADO

November 6, 2016—8:00 am

Feast of All Saints

When we think of saints, we likely picture well-known disciples, martyrs, and leaders of the Church throughout the years. Familiar names from the pages of Scripture come to mind such as Peter, John, and Paul—the type of people we name churches after. Perhaps this is rightly so. After all, the Lord worked in the lives of these individuals in powerful ways. On All Saints’ Day, however, we also give thanks to God for “unsung saints.” We remember faithful Christian men and women whose names may not be known to the world but are known to us. We remember the names of mothers and fathers, friends and family, and fellow congregation members who bore witness to Christ through word and deed. We take time to rejoice that they are now in the nearer presence of the crucified and risen Savior they served while among us.

INVOCATION - CONFESSION - ABSOLUTION

P By whose name are you here? C We gather in the name of the Father, and of the † Son, and of the Holy Spirit. P For what purpose are you here? C Like Isaiah, we gather here to see the Lord, high and lifted up, and to bless him for people through whom he has acted, the great saints and the unlikely ones. P What, then, is your purpose? C We confess...we are people of unclean lips, dwelling among people of unclean lips; touch us, Lord, where we hurt and where sin has stained us. Our hidden sins and obvious wrongs, O Lord, forgive. P Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the † Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hymn For All the Saints (Stanzas 4 - 6) LSB 677

Prayer of the Day

P The Lord be with you. C And also with you. P Let us pray. We thank Thee, O God, for the saints of all ages; for those in times of darkness who kept the lamp of faith burning; for the great souls who saw visions of large truth and dared to declare it; for the multitude of quiet and gracious souls whose presence has purified and sanctified the world; and for those known and loved by us, who have passed from this earthly fellowship into the fuller light of life with Thee. Amen.

Congregation, please be seated.

Divine Service Music for Meditation For All the Saints NIELSON & YOUNG Pastoral Greeting PASTOR LARSON Tolling of the Bell Worship Hymn For All the Saints (Stanzas 1 - 3) LSB 677

P “I have heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed’, says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’” In joyful expectation of the resurrection to life, we remember before you, O Lord, all our departed kin and friends who have gone before us in faith. We offer thanksgiving for the gift of faith and hold fast to the certainty of your promises...For those of our congregational family who these past twelve months have died in Christ:

Art Arndt Husband of Flo, Father of Mitch, Tom, Rod Verna Blackstock Mother of Jim, Jill, Joel Jean Ellis Mother of Dawn Mueller, Monica Jowers Betty Evans Mother of Heidi Evans, Janet White Lucille Hulwick Mother of Bill Jeanice Milius Mother of Greg Joyce Sensmeier Sister-in-Law of John Crouch Betty White Mother of Rick, Dave Betty Van Pelt Wife of Jack, Mother of Ginger Glodowske, Jan Buntrock

P For those who have gone before us, C We thank you, Lord. P For those in our extended congregational family who these past years died in Christ:

George Kreye Husband of Lois Viola Miller Sister of Edna Oeltjen Allen Whorton Father of Sandee Thieme Carol Sister of Joyce Wagner Bill Brother of Joan Anttonen Ben Mullane Son of Jim and Laurie Kelly Baldwin Sister of Laurie Mullane Phyllis Carmack Cousin of Larry and Flo Westra Bill Craig Father of Kathie Harvey David Daniel Brother-in-Law of Cindy Fowler Kenneth Ernst Husband of Patty John Ertl Husband of Rose Mary Jane Evans Mother of Julie Schmitt Jean Evans Sister of Millie Reeves Robert & Diane Fischbach Daughter and Son-in-Law of Irene Densmore Dwight Son of Eileen Brinkman, and Family Helen Geihsler Aunt of Ed Geisler David Hahn Father of Mitch Charles Hanson Brother of Gwen Geisler Chris Grandson of Helen Hartman Bill Helton Brother-in-Law of Mary Brown Dayni Niece of Mart Hert Shirley Huwa Sister of Bill Achziger

P Fear none of those things which you will suffer. C Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

P Even to old age, I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. C I have made, and I will bear: I will carry and I will save you.

Darrell Luethy Father of Scott Jerry Muirhead Husband of Barbara John Dierking Husband of Charlene, Father of Brian & Jason, Grandfather of Tyler, Ben, Brilene, Johnathan Alan Fringer Son of Norman & Connie Ardis Kelly Sister of Norman Fringer Bill Kaiser Brother of Connie Fringer Edward & Mary Jones Parents of Judy Mihok Arthur Raasch Husband of Viola C.J. Hartman Husband of Helen Irene & Horace Bogard Parents of Judi Rousch Kathryn & Bud Cervin Godparents of Judi Rousch Helen & Henry Rousch Parents of Glenn Bob Carlson Husband of Doris Martin & Edna Schnute Parents of Ruth Nisbet Sara Lochhaas & Martha Schnute Sisters of Ruth Nisbet Gladys Nisbet & Frances Smith Grandmother‘s of Larry Nisbet Gary Price Friend of Larry and Ruth Nisbet Merlyn McConnell Brother of Bruce Doug McConnell Nephew of Bruce Mel Fryman Husband of Joan, Father of Michelle Delk

Brandon Kabelman Husband of Michelle, Father of Jenna, Jonnie, Jamie, Son-in-Law of Kathie & Pat Harvey, Brother-in-Law of Megan Brandon & Ross Kabelman Twin Sons of Michelle (Miscarriage) Danny King Dear Friend of Chrissy Coon Kerry & Val Langness Brother & Sister of Rick Jim & Grace Heckendorf Nephew & Niece of Harvey &Sally Atchison Duane Lindquist Cousin of Keith Juoni Watson Long Relative of Christy Williams Don Marshall Father of Jill Brookshire Ellie Neubauer Sister of Bernice Arsenault Barbara Nunn Sister-in-Law of Ellen Thompson Geneva Preis Mother of Janet Parrott, Grandmother of Clark Helen Pruitt Mother of Stephen Kai Grandson of Jim & Millie Reeves Jean Shiflet Mother of Bob John Tradut Cousin of Bill Achziger Tim Wendelken Son of Jim, Brother of Pam Poseley Rev. Richard Wertz Brother-in-Law of Valorie Flickinger Emily Wren Grandmother of Rose Berger

P Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. C But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

P I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. C Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award me on that day.

Keith & Theresa Anderson Parents of Judy Hermsmeyer Bill & Mae Hermsmeyer Parents of Norm William & Lillie Pederson Parents of Gloria Nielsen Howard & Ralph Pederson Brothers of Gloria Nielsen Elias Phillip Briscoe Great-Grandson of Lois Kreye Ron Mickelson Husband of Carol George & Lucille Lechman Parents of Carol Mickelson Ralph Thompson Husband of Ellen Gil Fitzpatrick Husband of Millie Lawnie & Pearl Sturdevant Parents of Millie Fitzpatrick Bill & Lena Taylor Parents of Jini Smith Gordon Smith Husband of Jini Edgar & Laura Pointer Parents of Lorine Grau Ernest & Tillie Grau Parents of Del Esther Looby Sister of Charlotte Wilkinson Norma Proue Sister of Charlotte Wilkinson Andrew Sr. & Julia Slifka Parents of Andy Jr. Dana & Hertha Tyler Parents of Mavis Slifka

Betty Achziger Wife of Bill Ed Achziger Husband of Ed, Father of Linda Carla Achziger Daughter of Edna, sister of Linda Bob Wagner Husband of Joyce Herman & Rosa Schultz Grandparents of Judy Bress Delbert Schultz Father of Judy Bress Jack Anttonen Husband of Joan, Father of Laura Dungan, Grandfather of Lauren & Amanda Dungan Kathy & Chris Wiggins Children of Clyde & Ruth Louis Brown Grandson of Clyde & Ruth W.H. “Brink” Brinkman Wife, Eileen & Family Daryl Nelson Father of Melanie Bard Wayne Bard Father of Robert Harold Haeffele Husband of Caroll Scott Hert Son of Mary Chris & Mabel Abrahams Parents of Mary Hert Merlin Imbusch Husband of Wilma Brad & Brian Imbusch Sons of Wilma Charles & Marjorie Lugton Parents of Nancy Muldoon Norman Kracke Uncle of Nancy Muldoon

P We, who are still alive and are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. C And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Darlene Heckendorf Sister of Harvey Atchison Susan & Leonard Bellows Parents of Jan Heskett Bill Holthaus Husband of Barb, Father of Kathy Johnson Neil Johnson Father of Bob Kevin Hunt Son of Don & Norma Roger Hagen Grandfather of Brianna Bly Alice Fort Mother of David Carl Koeppen Husband of Maxine, Father of Kim Rossi Leon & Hester Wilson Parents of Brian Louis & Anita Vahle Parents of Marion Wilson Eunice & Keith Wilson Sister & Brother-in-Law of Marion Wilson Bob & Amy Skinner Parents of Dave Carl Crimi Father of Marie Skinner Frank & Clara Toscano Godparents of Marie Skinner Eileen Raddeman Wife of Mel Ray & Shirley Shelton Parents of Lori Rolling Charles Rolling Father of John David Rolling Brother of John

Hymn For All the Saints (Stanzas 7 and 8) LSB 677

SERVICE OF THE WORD

The First Lesson: Revelation 7:9-17

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes--who are they, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat

upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God!

The Second Lesson: 1 John 3:1-3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

L The Word of the Lord. C Thanks be to God!

Congregation, please rise.

P The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the fifth chapter. C Glory to you, O Lord.

The Holy Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the mer-ciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of right-eousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

P The Gospel of the Lord. C Praise to you, O Christ.

Hymn of the Day Holy, Holy, Holy LSB 507

Sermon Living in the Past PASTOR LARSON Text: Hebrews 12:1-3

Nicene Creed LSB (inside back cover)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

P Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to You, O God, forever and ever. For the grace we have received in Holy Baptism, the sustenance of Your Holy Word, and our deliverance from darkness to light, all praise be to You Almighty God. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Bind into perfect unity the souls of all Your saints in heaven, on earth, and those yet to be. Grant that all pastors and servants of the Church take pleasure in proclaiming Your Word in all its truth and purity and rightly and duly administer Your Sacraments. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Bless all Your people with receptive hearts and minds to hear and believe Your holy Word that they may be preserved in true faith and lead holy lives. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P We pray Your blessing, help, comfort, and healing for all who are sick or suffering any illness, especially [_____________]. Guide and direct all who minister to their various needs that they may be enabled to persevere in faith. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P May the body and blood of Your Son be for us nourishment for faith and life and our most intimate communion with all Your saints. Lord, in Your mercy, C hear our prayer. P Into Your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in Your mercy; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. C Amen.

Sharing of the Peace

P The peace of the Lord be with you always. C And also with you.

You may now greet one another saying...Peace be with you

THE OFFERING

Congregational Hymn Blest Are They WOV 764 CHOIR: Blest are they, the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God. Blest are they, they, full of sorrow, they shall be consoled.

ALL: Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!

ALL: Blest are they, the lowly ones, they shall inherit the earth. Blest are they who hunger and thirst, they shall have their fill. Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!

WOMEN: Blest are they who show mercy, mercy shall be theirs. Blest are they, the pure of heart, they shall see God!

ALL: Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!

MEN: Blest are they who seek peace; they are the children of God. Blest are they who suffer in faith, the glory of God is theirs.

ALL: Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!

ALL: Blest are you who suffer hate, all because of me. Rejoice and be glad, yours is the kingdom; shine for all to see. Rejoice and be glad! Blessed are you, holy are you! Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!

Offertory Prayer P Let us pray, C Lord Jesus, Your generosity knows no bounds! You provide all good things in temporal and eternal life. Your Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts to trust You for all things. Receive this small portion of all that You have entrusted to our care. Use it to spread the Good News of Your forgiving Gospel. We pray in Your most holy precious name. Amen.

THE GREAT THANKSGIVING

Preface

P It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by His glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and singing:

P In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the for-giveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

The Lord’s Prayer LSB (inside back cover)

HOLY COMMUNION

The Lord, our Host, invites to his Supper those who are baptized into the Christian faith, confess him as Savior, have examined themselves, truly repent of sins, believe the Risen Lord is present in the sacrament with his true body and blood, and resolve to live faithfully and obediently. For those with an intolerance to alcohol, the center ring of the tray contains grape juice. Gluten free wafers are available to those with wheat allergies. Children who have not been instructed, yet desire a blessing, are invited to come forward with arms crossed. Come, for the Supper is ready! When receiving the bread and wine, the communicant may respond with “Amen!”, a word of affirmation and belief.

Agnus Dei

Hymns during the Distribution

Your Table I Approach LSB 628 Jesus Comes Today with Healing LSB 620 Jerusalem, My Happy Home LSB 673

Post Communion Prayer

P We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life; and we pray that in your mercy you would strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and fervent love toward one another; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. C Amen.

Benediction

P 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. C Amen.

Congregational Concerns P Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C Thanks be to God! Organ Chorale Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones WILBUR HELD

Benediction Hymn Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones LSB 670

Serving in Worship

OFFICIANT and CELEBRANT The Rev. John R. Larson, Pastor ELDER 8:00 Bill Redden 10:30 Larry Buethe ORGANIST Diana Gaide ASCENSION CHORALE 8:00 Ann Westra—Director PRAISE TEAM 10:30 The Youth Band LECTOR 8:00 David Olsson 10:30 Carol Shepherd ACOLYTE 8:00 Esther Langness 10:30 Kathy Coquat USHERS 8:00 Members of the Congregation 10:30 Members of the Congregation ALTAR GUILD Teresa Kennedy, Gloria Mielke, Deb Shiflet, Cathy Utecht FLOWERS Jan Vega & Durwin Schmitt in loving memory of their mother, Hilda Schmitt

CCLI License #1903595

Communion Benediction

P The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace. C Amen.