Online Bulletin

SANCTUARY  |  Church Online

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Show Me the Way of Gratitude

September 14, 2025
8:30am 

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Prelude "Baptism Hymn Medley" arr. Stephan Nosrat and Alex Guebert
Stephan Nosrat, violin
Alex Guebert, piano


 
Weekly Church News

 

Welcome Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

 

Ringing of the Bell

 

Opening Hymn “Amazing Grace”
verses 1, 2 and 3
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 744.

Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see!

The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
His grace has brought me safe thus far,
His grace will lead me home.

 

Invocation
Liturgist: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19b)
People: Amen.

 
Confession and Absolution
Liturgist: Jesus told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (Luke 18:13). In humility and gratitude for His mercy, we too confess our sins before God.

silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.

Liturgist: We pray:
People: Most merciful God, we confess that we have often been like the Pharisee, trusting in our own goodness and looking down on others. We have forgotten that all we have and all we are comes from You. We have failed to live in daily gratitude for Your mercy in Christ. Forgive us, Lord, and teach us to pray with the tax collector: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
Liturgist: Hear the good news of Jesus: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). God has heard your prayer. In His mercy, He lifts you up and forgives you all your sins. As a fellow servant of Christ, I announce that your sins are forgiven in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. Thanks be to God for His mercy and grace!

 

Hymn of Praise “Father Welcomes”
verses 1 and 2
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 605.

Refrain:
Father welcomes all His children
To His fam’ly through His Son.
Father giving His salvation,
Life forever has been won.

Little children, come to Me,
For My kingdom is of these.
Life and love I have to give,
Mercy for your sin. refrain

In the water, in the Word,
In His promise, be assured:
Those who are baptized and believe
Shall be born again. refrain

  

Sacrament of Baptism

 

Old Testament Reading  Psalm 107:1-9 NIV

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—
    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
³ those he gathered from the lands,
    from east and west, from north and south.

⁴ Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Anthem                                      

"Big, Big, Story”
St. John’s 4th Grade Choir

 

Epistle Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18 NIV

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Lector: This is the Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

  

Anthem
"Alive”
St. John’s 4th Grade Choir

 

Holy Gospel  Luke 18:9-14 NIV

⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Lector: This is the Gospel of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.

 

Hymn of the Day “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 411.

I want to walk as a child of the light.
I want to follow Jesus.
God set the stars to give light to the world.
The star of my life is Jesus.

Refrain:
In Him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God.
I want to look at Jesus.
Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path,
And show me the way to the Father. refrain

I’m looking for the coming of Christ.
I want to be with Jesus.
When we have run with patience the race,
We shall know the joy of Jesus. refrain

 

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Message Pastor Tim Klinkenberg

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Apostles’ Creed

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 Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

 
Prayers of the Church 

Liturgist: Lord, in your mercy,
People: Hear our prayer.

 

Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings 


Music at the Offering "Now Thank We All Our God”
Summer Choir

 

Commissioning of CUI Fieldwork Students

 

The Lord's Prayer

Liturgist:    Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
People:   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.

 
Benediction
Liturgist: 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.

 

Doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”
If you wish to follow the music, refer to hymnal 805.

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.
Amen.

 

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Worship Service Participants*

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg
Liturgist: Vicar Micah Raebel
Organ: Alex Guebert
Violin: Stephan Nosrat
Piano: Dr. Rachel Ehring
School Choir: St. John’s 4th Grade Choir (8:30)
St. John’s 5th Grade Choir (10:30)
School Choir Director: Audrey Mink
Choir: Summer Choir (8:30)
Choir Director: Alex Guebert
4th Grade Teachers: Hanna Ettinger, Jessica Fink, Jenny Lewis
5th Grade Teachers: Mindy Martin, Leah Morner, Katelyn Wilson
Audio/Visual: Blaine Currer, Hector Cerda, Parker Carlson, and Krey Pillei

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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September 14, 2025

Prayers of the Church
September 14, 2025

Almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear than we to pray,
and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve.

Pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy;
forgive us the things of which our conscience is afraid;
and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,
except by the merits and mediation of our Savior, Jesus.
Lord, in Your mercy,

O God, You have bound us together in a common life.

Help us, in our struggles for justice and truth,
to speak and disagree with one another without hatred or bitterness,
and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect.

Save us from violence, discord, confusion,
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.

Save us from school shootings and political violence.
Save us from social media vitriol and inflammatory rhetoric.

When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful,
and in troubled times, do not let our trust in You fail.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Eternal God, in Your perfect kingdom,
no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness,
and no strength is known but the strength of love.

Mightily spread abroad Your Spirit, that we may love our enemies and
that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
as children of one Father, to whom all dominion and glory belong forever.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Almighty and most merciful God, You bring us through suffering and death
with our Lord Jesus Christ to enter with Him into glory.

We remember victims of political violence,
and we pray for comfort for the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,
for continued comfort for the family and friends of Mark and Melissa Hortman,
for peace and strength for political victims’ families around the world,
those highly reported and those under and never reported.

We remember the grieving in our congregation and community,
especially the family and friends of Dick Bernard, husband of Marion,
the family and friends of Jerry Greco, friend of John Markworth,
the family and friends of Minerva Bazan Martinez, mother of Ruben Martinez,

We pray for the sick, the suffering, and the struggling in our congregation,
especially for Bob and Kathie Birschbach, Patricia and Karyl Lehman, Shaina Watson,
those listed before You in writing,
and those named before You in the writing on our hearts and minds…

Grant us grace at all times to acknowledge and accept Your holy and gracious will,
to remain in true faith, and to find peace and joy
in the resurrection of the dead and the glory of everlasting life.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Everlasting God, to be grateful for all of our lives – the good as well as the bad,
the moments of joy a well as the moments of sorrow – requires hard spiritual work.

Our life is an unmerited gift from You –
and for everything that has brought us to where we are now – by Your Spirit,
lead us to trust that we will soon see everything in the guiding hand of a loving God.

Hear our gratitude for Baptism, which unites us to Christ’s death and resurrection.
We celebrate the Baptisms today of Elijah Reed Tuma, son of Dustin and Brenda,
and Mitchel Tanner McKinee, son of Maxwell and Taylor.

Hear our gratitude for Anniversaries, which are nourished by Your great love for us.
We give thanks for 20 years of marriage for David and K.C. Jacobson,
and for 30 years of marriage for Leslie and Dr. Elizabeth Cornelius.

Hear our gratitude for healings and for ministries of restoration and reunification.

Hear our gratitude for Your Church, which Your Son gave His life for,
and through Word and Sacrament gives strength to be light in the darkness of the world.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have kept us through the night
from harm and danger and brought us to this day.

Keep us this day also from sin and every evil, that all our doings and life may please You.
Into Your hands we commend ourselves, our bodies and souls, and all things.
Let Your holy angel be with us, and the evil foe may have no power over us. Amen.

WALKER HALL  |  Church Online

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Show Me the Way of Gratitude

Sunday, September 14, 2025
10:30am

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Weekly Church News

Welcome// Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom

Invocation

Confession and Absolution

Worship Set//

“I Thank God”
“Battle Belongs”
Confession and Absolution
“Gratitude”

Scripture Readings

Message// Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom

Apostles' Creed

Prayers of the Church

Gathering of Our Tithes and Offerings

"Jesus Thank You"

The Lord's Prayer

“Gratitude"

Benediction

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Worship Service Participants

Preacher: Pastor Trevor Van Blarcom
Electric Guitar: Joshua DeLaVictoria
Drums: Tony Sigala
Bass Guitar: Chuy Flores
Vocals: Abby See and Collin See
Keys: Adam Friedrich
Audio/Visual: Matthew Todd, Katie Todd, Jay Edwards, Jonathan Casper, David Kruse, and Rick Shima

Thanks for joining us today!

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  ONLINE GIVING

PRAYER REQUEST

CONNECTION CARD

 

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September 14, 2025

Prayers of the Church
September 14, 2025

Almighty and everlasting God, You are always more ready to hear than we to pray,
and always ready to give more than we either desire or deserve.

Pour down on us the abundance of Your mercy;
forgive us the things of which our conscience is afraid;
and give us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask,
except by the merits and mediation of our Savior, Jesus.
Lord, in Your mercy,

O God, You have bound us together in a common life.

Help us, in our struggles for justice and truth,
to speak and disagree with one another without hatred or bitterness,
and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect.

Save us from violence, discord, confusion,
from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.

Save us from school shootings and political violence.
Save us from social media vitriol and inflammatory rhetoric.

When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful,
and in troubled times, do not let our trust in You fail.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Eternal God, in Your perfect kingdom,
no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness,
and no strength is known but the strength of love.

Mightily spread abroad Your Spirit, that we may love our enemies and
that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace,
as children of one Father, to whom all dominion and glory belong forever.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Almighty and most merciful God, You bring us through suffering and death
with our Lord Jesus Christ to enter with Him into glory.

We remember victims of political violence,
and we pray for comfort for the family and friends of Charlie Kirk,
for continued comfort for the family and friends of Mark and Melissa Hortman,
for peace and strength for political victims’ families around the world,
those highly reported and those under and never reported.

We remember the grieving in our congregation and community,
especially the family and friends of Dick Bernard, husband of Marion,
the family and friends of Jerry Greco, friend of John Markworth,
the family and friends of Minerva Bazan Martinez, mother of Ruben Martinez,

We pray for the sick, the suffering, and the struggling in our congregation,
especially for Bob and Kathie Birschbach, Patricia and Karyl Lehman, Shaina Watson,
those listed before You in writing,
and those named before You in the writing on our hearts and minds…

Grant us grace at all times to acknowledge and accept Your holy and gracious will,
to remain in true faith, and to find peace and joy
in the resurrection of the dead and the glory of everlasting life.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Everlasting God, to be grateful for all of our lives – the good as well as the bad,
the moments of joy a well as the moments of sorrow – requires hard spiritual work.

Our life is an unmerited gift from You –
and for everything that has brought us to where we are now – by Your Spirit,
lead us to trust that we will soon see everything in the guiding hand of a loving God.

Hear our gratitude for Baptism, which unites us to Christ’s death and resurrection.
We celebrate the Baptisms today of Elijah Reed Tuma, son of Dustin and Brenda,
and Mitchel Tanner McKinee, son of Maxwell and Taylor.

Hear our gratitude for Anniversaries, which are nourished by Your great love for us.
We give thanks for 20 years of marriage for David and K.C. Jacobson,
and for 30 years of marriage for Leslie and Dr. Elizabeth Cornelius.

Hear our gratitude for healings and for ministries of restoration and reunification.

Hear our gratitude for Your Church, which Your Son gave His life for,
and through Word and Sacrament gives strength to be light in the darkness of the world.
Lord, in Your mercy,

Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have kept us through the night
from harm and danger and brought us to this day.

Keep us this day also from sin and every evil, that all our doings and life may please You.
Into Your hands we commend ourselves, our bodies and souls, and all things.
Let Your holy angel be with us, and the evil foe may have no power over us. Amen.