ORDER OF WORSHIP

G A T H E R I N G

PRELUDE

HYMN - “Here I Am, Lord”

1. I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

REFRAIN: Here I am, Lord, Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

2. I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain.

I have wept for love of them. They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send? REFRAIN.

3. I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.

I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? REFRAIN.

INVOCATION -

Pastor: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

People: Amen.

Pastor: The heavens declare the glory of God;

People: and the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Pastor: The Law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul:

People: The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the

simple.

Pastor: The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.

People: The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Pastor: The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.

People: The ordinances of the Lord are sure, and altogether righteous.

Pastor: Keep back Your servant also from willful sins;

People: may they not rule over me!

CONFESSION –

Pastor: Who can discern his errors?

People: Forgive my hidden faults. (Psalm 19:12)

Pastor: Brothers and sisters in Christ: God’s Word declares to us today, “if

anyone thinks he is nothing, he deceives himself (Gal. 6:3).” Each of

us is guilty of choosing our own way and forsaking the way of the

Lord. We have sinned against our God by placing our will and our

desires before His. God also declares, whatever we sow, we shall

also reap. Deserving judgment, let us confess our sins to God,

seeking His forgiveness in the name of Christ, our Lord.

People: Lord God, I stand before You today, guilty of untold sins.

Among my many sins is the sin of seeking my own will and not

Yours. Even knowing of Your love for me in Christ, I have still

rejected Your desire for my life and sought my own. Instead of

being concerned for my brothers and sisters in Christ, I have

failed to assist them in their times of need and I have chosen

for myself the easier way. I have sinned, and I cry to You for

mercy and forgiveness. I also pray You to strengthen me to

desire Your will and empower me through the work of Your

Spirit to accomplish all You desire in my life. For I ask all this

in and through Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

ABSOLUTION -

Pastor: The Word of God is “more precious than gold, than much pure

gold . . . sweeter than honey (Psalm 19:10).” The Good News of your

God today is that He has taken your sin away and granted to you

forgiveness in His Son Jesus Christ. Therefore, as a called and

ordained servant of the Word, I declare the grace of God to you and

in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive

you all your sin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit.

People: Amen. Thanks be to God.

Pastor: “Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

People: Alleluia! Amen.

INTROIT & GLORIA PATRI (insert) – spoken by all

KYRIE & HYMN OF PRAISE - “Holy, Holy, Holy” -

1. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

COLLECT OF THE DAY - read by all - (insert)

(Announcements and prayer requests & Children’s Message)

T H E W O R D

OLD TESTAMENT (insert) - Isaiah 66:18-23

GRADUAL - (insert) - spoken

EPISTLE (insert) - Hebrews 12:18-24

GOSPEL (insert) – Luke 13:22-30

HYMN OF THE DAY - “God of Our Fathers”

1. God of our fathers, whose almighty hand

Leads forth in beauty all the starry band

Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies:

Our grateful songs before your throne arise.

2. Your love divine has led us in the past;

In this free land by you our lot is cast;

Oh, be our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay;

Your Word our law, your paths our chosen way.

3. From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence

Make your strong arm our ever sure defense.

Your true religion in our hearts increase;

Your bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.

4. Refresh your people on their toilsome way;

Lead us from night to never ending day;

Fill all our lives with heav’n born love and grace

Until at last we meet before your face.

SERMON: “Growth – More Than Numbers” – Luke 13:22-30

CREED - Apostles Creed (rise) -

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

PRAYERS FOR TODAY’S NEED AND MISSIONS

At words of “Lord in Your mercy”

Response of Congregation: “Hear our prayer.”

SHARING OF THE PEACE & GREETINGS

T H E W O R D IN THE SUPPER

OFFERING

OFFERTORY – “Sing to the Lord of Harvest” -

1. Sing to the Lord of harvest, sing songs of love and praise;

With joyful hearts and voices Your alleluias raise.

By him the rolling seasons in fruitful order move;

Sing to the Lord of harvest a joyous song of love.

2. God makes the clouds rain goodness, the deserts bloom and spring,

The hills leap up in gladness, the valleys laugh and sing….

God fills them with his fullness, all things with large increase;

He crowns the year with blessing, with plenty and with peace.

3. Bring to this sacred altar the gifts his goodness gave,

The golden sheaves of harvest, the souls Christ died to save.

Your hearts lay down before him when at his feet you fall,

And with your lives adore him who gave his life for all.

THE PREFACE -

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And also with you.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them 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, right, and salutary . . . evermore praising you and saying:

C: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might:

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna. Hosanna.

Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the

Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

COMMUNION & COMMUNION HYMNS -

“Savior, Like A Shepherd Lead Us”

1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;

In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

2. We are Thine, do Thou befriend us, be the Guardian of our way;

Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, hear Thy children when they pray.

3. Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;

Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee;

Blessed Jesus, lessed Jesus, early let us turn to Thee.

4. Early let us seek Thy favor; early let us do Thy will;

Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still;

Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus, Thou hast loved us, love us still.

“Softly and Tenderly”

1. Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me.

See, on the portals he’s waiting and watching, watching for you and

for me.

REFRAIN: “Come home, come home! You who are weary, come home.”

Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling, ‘O sinner, come

home!’ ”

2. Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading, pleading for you and for

me?

Why should we linger and heed not his mercies, mercies for you and

for me? REFRAIN.

3. Oh, for the wonderful love he has promised, promised for you and

for me!

Though we have sinned, he has mercy and pardon, pardon for you

and for me. REFRAIN.

“His Name Is Wonderful”

His name is Wonderful, His name is Wonderful,

His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

He is the mighty King, Master of ev’rything.

His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He;

Bow down before Him, Love and adore Him,

His name is Wonderful, Jesus, my Lord.

S E N D I N G

CANTICLE - “Awake, My Soul, and With the Sun”

1. Awake, my soul, and with the sun Your daily stage of duty run;

Shake off dull sloth and joyful rise to pay your morning sacrifice.

4. Direct, control, suggest this day all I design or do or say

That all my pow’rs with all their might in Your sole glory may unite.

5. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise Him, all creatures

here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy

Ghost.

PRAYER & BENEDICTION

HYMN - “Great is Thy Faithfulness” -

1. Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of

turning with thee;

Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not; as thou has been thou

forever wilt be.

REFRAIN: Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed thy

hand hath provided – great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

2. Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest, sun, moon and stars

in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness

To thy great faithfulness, mercy and love. REFRAIN.

3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thy own dear presence to

cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine,

with ten thousand beside! REFRAIN.

POSTLUDE

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ASSISTANTS IN TODAY’S WORSHIP

Celebrant . . . Rev. David F. C. Wurster, Ph.D. Lector . . . Melissa Banas

Organist . . . . Lois L. Jones Prayer Leader . . . Melissa Banas

Assistants . . . . . Roy Sheppard & Ray Yox

Welcomers . . Catherine Nagel & Julie Schmidt

Acolytes . . . . Emily Bruenn & Tracy Thomas

Ushers . . . . . Fred Bartz Jr., David Carlson, Mark Thomas, Paul Thomas Jr.,

Chuck Yung

Altar . . . . . . Robert & Carol Wolf

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SICK - Jim Lesanti; Alice Gabriel

ANNIVERSARY - Kevin & Patty Monk’s 10^th this Friday.

NEXT SUNDAY - Sunday School & Bible Classes will resume at 9:00 a.m. Rally Day;

OFFICE HOURS – Monday – Closed; Tuesday – Friday – 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

OFFERING UPDATE: Weekly current collected August 29, 2004: $2,764.60; Attendance –113; Weekly current needed: $2,958.83.

THIS WEEK - Mon. - OFFICE CLOSED – Labor Day; Tues. - 1:00, Bible

Study; 12:00, L.S.S. Women’s Auxiliary, Luther Manor Apartments, 245 Bryant St., N. Tonawanda, NY; Thurs. - 9:30, Bible Study, 6:00 p.m., South Buffalo Ecumenical Association, South Park Presbyterian Church, McKinley Pkwy. Call 823-3416 for reservations.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT AND POTLUCK DINNER - Saturday, September 25 – 5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please join us for a night of fun and games. Everyone is invited. Bring a dish to share and a favorite game, if you have one. See Joanne Kushka – 823-8461).

OKTOBERFEST - St. Luke Lutheran Church’s first Oktoberfest!! – Saturday, September 25, 2004, 2 – 9 p.m., Lamm Post, 962 Wehrle Dr., Williamsville,NY; $5.00 General Admission, includes raffle entry for 2 tickets on Air Tran; children under 12 – free; German “Chinese Auction” – Entertainment by The Auslanders and the Rosengartners; refreshments at a nominal charge (see poster on bulletin boards). Call St. Luke’s office at 633-6752 for tickets.

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CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK

BIRTHDAYS: Mon. - Rosemary Battle, Erin Webster, Jeremy Jindra; Tues. - Shannon Coyne; Wed. - Laura Karter; Fri. - Gary Miller, Nicholas Dils; Sat. - Theresa Rylowicz, Samantha Jindra.

ANNIVERSARIES: Mon. - Michael & Barbara Turner; Fri. - David & Claire

Carlson, Kevin & Patty Monk.

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