Living Savior Lutheran Church4616 Gharrett St Missoula, MT 59803

livingsaviormissoula.org 406.543.8222Pastor Justin Cloute pastor@livingsaviormissoula.org

January 7, 2018 1st Sunday after EpiphanyWELCOME TO WORSHIPWe’re happy you’re here to worship with us! We pray that the Lord bless you through his Word this morning.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask one of the greeters or anyone else who looks like they know what is going on. For an explanation of why we follow the liturgy see the back page of this bulletin.

Restrooms - We would ask that you use the restrooms out the back doors and down the hallway on the right.

Parents, we are so glad that you have brought your little children to church this morning. If needed, there is a nursery out the back doors to the right.

We recognize that our new sanctuary is a little “echo-y” and apologize for any sound difficulties. We are working to remedy the problem. The best place to sit to avoid reverberation is near the middle.

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The Season of EpiphanyThe word “Epiphany” comes from the Greek word for “appearance” referring to the appearance of Christ as the Savior. During this season (Jan 6 – Ash Wednesday) we consider how the “true light” was shown to be the Son of God and Savior of all (both Jews and Gentiles). Epiphany provides us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the revealing of God’s love and light in Jesus without the worldly distractions of the holiday season. Looking ahead… January 7 – We get to know Jesus by baptism – his and ours. January 14 – Jesus gives us the desire and ability to follow through the Word January 21 – Jesus’ call to follow changes lives January 28 – Jesus comes with authority and power over Satan

IN MEMORY OF ME*

TODAY’S FOCUS: WE GET TO KNOW JESUS BY BAPTISM – HIS AND OURS

INVOCATIONP: 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 SINSP: God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and rich in love. He does not treat

us as our sins deserve nor punish us according to our guilt. Instead he looks upon us in compassion, forgives our sin, and heals our lives. Therefore, let us confess our sins in the presence of God and one another.

C: Merciful Father in heaven, I am altogether sinful from birth. In countless ways I have sinned against you and do not deserve to be called your child. But trusting in Jesus, my Savior, I pray: Have mercy on me according to your unfailing love. Cleanse me from my sin, and take away my guilt.

P: As tender as a loving father is to his child, so gentle is God with you. As high as the heavens

* "Do This in Memory of Me" entire service by David Haas. Copyright 2003, GIA Publications, Inc.

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are above the earth, so vast is God's love for you. As far as east is from west, so far God removes your sin from you. He renews your life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Blessed be God who crowns us with mercy and love!

C: Blessed be God forever!

C (sings): This is the Feast

L: Worthy is Christ, the Lamb once slain, Whose blood was shed to give freedom for all. Power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and blessing; come give glory to Christ!

C: (Refrain)L: Sing out with joy, all people of God!

Join in the song of creation! Blessing and honor, glory and might to God and the Lamb forever more!

C: (Refrain)L: This is the feast for praise and rejoicing,

For the Lamb, the one who was slain, Will come forth now and begin God's reign! Sing all you people, sing Alleluia!

C: (Refrain twice)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

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P: Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit. Keep us who are baptized into Christ faithful in our calling as your children and make us heirs with him of everlasting life; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

The Word†

FIRST LESSON Isaiah 49:1-6Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah spoke of how God had chosen his servant to “display his splendor” and bring his salvation to the “ends of the earth.” At his baptism in the Jordan God publicly displays his chosen servant, Jesus Christ.

1‘Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations:Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me;he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all.Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”5 And now the Lord says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servantto bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself,for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength—6 he says:

† The public reading from Scripture can be traced back to the synagogue service (Luke 4:16-21). From Apostolic times the reading of carefully chosen lessons from the Apostles and Evangelists has been the central part of Christian worship.

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“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept.I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

VERSE OF THE DAYSung twice. Congregation is invited to join leader.

THE GOSPEL Mark 1:4-11Just as the Trinity was present at Jesus’ baptism, so the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were present at your baptism. Because of this and the righteousness won by Christ, God is pleased with you just as he was pleased with his Son.

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4And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

NICENE CREEDWe believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth,of all that is,seen and unseen.

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We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made,of one being with the Father.

Through him all things were made.For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,and became fully human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.He suffered death and was buried.On the third day he rose again in accordance with the

Scriptures. He ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,the Lord, the giver of life,who proceeds from the Father and the Son,who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.We look for the resurrection of the dead

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It | 737(next page)

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THE SERMON TEXT Romans 6:1-111 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on

sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

SERMON NEW LIFE FOR A NEW YEAR!Romans 6:1-11

1) We died with Christ in Baptism2) We live with him right now

OFFERING“Each person should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

LORD’S PRAYER

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C: 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 SACRAMENTP: The Lord be with you.C: And also with you. P: Lift up your hearts.C: We lift them up to the Lord.P: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.P: 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 Jesus Christ, our Lord, who promised that wherever two or three come together in his name, there he is with them to shepherd his flock till he comes again in glory. Therefore, with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and join their glorious song:

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THE WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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P: 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.”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.”

The peace of the Lord be with you always.C: Amen.

LAMB OF GOD

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DISTRIBUTIONGuests: Living Savior practices member communion. We believe that in Communion we not only receive Our Savior’s true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins, but we are also confessing a oneness in the faith. For this reason, if you are not a member of Living Savior or the WELS, we want to share with you what we believe and teach before we ask you to join us for communion. Please speak to Pastor if you are interested in joining us for communion in the future. Thank you.Members: Personal Preparation for Holy Communion can be found on page 156 in the front of the hymnal.

THANKSGIVING

THE BLESSINGP: The Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.C: Amen.

CLOSING HYMN Go, My Children, With My Blessing | 332

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News and NotesBible Study – This morning our Bible study will be on the Epiphany of our Lord. This gives us a chance to learn what the focus is during the Epiphany season. Today we will look at Matthew 2:1-12 and the coming of the Wise Men.Annual Planning Meeting will be held on January 21st. We will look at ways we can serve Jesus together in 2018 to reach out with the message of a Savior and serve those in our community. All are invited. Lunch will be provided.Spiritual Growth Class – If you are interested in growing closer to your Savior and learning more about what we believe based on Scripture, you are invited to join us. We will begin another session on Wednesday, Jan 10th. Call (543-8222) or email (cloutejr@hotmail.com) Pastor Cloute for more info.Women of Faith/Church Council meeting will be next Sunday after worship. We will begin with a joint meeting and then separate for our respective business.Pictures – If you would like to update your photo on our welcome board, or if your photo has not been taken, please speak to Rachel Law.Cleaners – We have been blessed with volunteer cleaners who faithfully clean our building. Would you be willing to be one of them? We could use one or two more people to help take care of our facility. Please speak to Phil M. or Jerry Murphy if you are interested.

Serving at Living Savior

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Music:Today: JonNext Sunday: Sheryl

Camera:Today: GilNext Sunday: Donavon

Greeters:Today: Fleigs Next Sunday: Landers

Cleaners:This Week: Bernthals

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About our Worship

Why do we worship the way we do? “If you don’t understand why you are doing what you are doing, there’s probably no point in doing it.”

Since the very beginning followers of Jesus have regularly gathered together for worship. The book of Acts tells us that early Christians met daily near the temple and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). As we gather 2000 years later we continue to follow in their footsteps. While Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly when to sit or stand and what songs to sing or melodies to follow, it does say, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God (Colossians 3:16).

To help us do that we follow a pattern of worship called “the liturgy,” which helps us keep the Word of Christ at the center of our worship and allows us to respond with words and songs of praise. The liturgy also draws on the rich history of worship from Christians throughout the centuries. We acknowledge that the Church did not begin with us and neither did worship.

It’s not that God needs our worship. He created the heaven and the earth and has all things. Rather, we need worship. We need to receive from God his Word of forgiveness and respond with hearts of thanks and lips of praise. This is our spiritual inhaling and exhaling. May God bless your worship today.