Welcome! God would have all people to be saved, to enter by the narrow door. Yet, in our own strength, this is not possible. Therefore, we rely on Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, whose blood intercedes for us before the Father, and upon the Holy Spirit who brings us into saving faith.

Hebrews 12:4-24: Our Epistle reading from Hebrews 12 speaks about the need and benefit of discipline in our lives. This is true in family settings, in our church activities and the use of our God-given resources to move God’s kingdom forward. Good stewardship involves good planning and good discipline to stay on track. May we always be maturing stewards who do the right things for the right reasons.

FROM THE BOARD OF PARISH EDUCATION

Every Christian has and practices such priestly works. But above these activities is the communal office of public teaching. For this preachers and pastors are necessary. This office cannot be attended to by all the members of a congregation. (Martin Luther, Good News, Issue 28)

Today, Sunday, August 26, is our Annual Outdoor Worship Service and Family Picnic/Hog Roast. Lunch begins at noon in the school gymnasium. Wendell Cooper, who roasted pigs for our first hog roast will do the roasting again this year.

Games for children and adults are being held with prizes for all the winners. Membership of the various Boards, Trustees and congregation are joining together to make this another enjoyable day of worship, food, fun and fellowship for our congregation.

The Fellowship Coffee Hour will feature peach treats on September 9, and apple on October 14. Please be sure to come to the school cafeteria after the 8:00 a.m. worship service to enjoy these wonderful nourishing treats followed by spiritual nourishment through Bible study.

Sing unto the Lord a new song! We have been blessed this summer with abundant sunshine, much to celebrate, and the Lord's promise of new beginnings as we continue in ministry. With that, in September, comes the new beginning of Walther League Chorus rehearsals. We practice on Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the school music room, and will begin on September 10th, the week after Labor Day. We welcome you ALL to sing with us. If you used to be in chorus, maybe this is your time to return. If you have never sung with us, try it. You'll like it! We minister to our congregation in regular worship, to the community in our Christmas concert, and to one another as family as we work together. Come as you are - Just bring your voice and your love of the Lord!

Sunday School needs you! Sunday School Rally Day is September 9th, and your help is needed. Full-time, part-time and substitute teachers are needed for all grade levels. Anyone high school age or older is eligible to teach. Classroom helpers are also needed. This year we are also looking for people that would be interested in helping with the opening (first 10 minutes of together time). The opening would include a brief object lesson related to the topic of the day. Materials will be provided to anyone willing to donate their time/talents.

Finally, donations of non-perishable snacks as well as monetary donations to assist with the purchase of Sunday School materials is appreciated. If you are able to help in any of these areas, please contact Tracy Fronk. No experience is needed to be a teacher and the rewards from the kids are awesome!

Market Day: The first Market Day Sale of the school year is coming up. You can order online at www.marketday.com, or get an order form from the box across from the church office. Orders must be returned by 12:00 PM September 12. Pick-up is Saturday, September 15 from 9:30-10:30AM in the school cafeteria.  If you have any questions, you may contact Heather Alexander  or Teresa Sickmiller.

“Parenting with Purpose” Ever wonder what is available to help parents in ‘bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?’ “Parenting with Purpose” is a six-week course designed to assist parents in communication skills and fostering connections in the family.

Whether your child has just escaped the playpen or is ready for driver’s education, this course is for you.

Using video interaction, this Bible study looks at ways to improve parents’ communication skills. Facilitated by Pastor Brauer, this course will run the last three Wednesday evenings in September and first three Wednesday evenings in October from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. in the school’s cafeteria. There is no cost, however, to provide each participant with materials, please call the church office (362-3726) to register. (Day School parents will be given information and registration forms in the school news.) This will be open to the community.

So please mark your calendars for September 12, 19, and 26, and October 3, 10, and 17 for “Parenting with Purpose.”

7th & 8th Grade Classes: All 7th and 8th grade students who do not attend St. John’s Day School, but who wish to become confirmed members of the church are invited and encouraged to attend these

classes. Classes will begin on Wednesday evening, September 12, at 6:00 PM in the Ladies Lounge. They are being led by Pastor Young and last for one hour. If you would like to sign up, or have any questions, please call the church office at 362-3726.

Adult Discipleship Class to Start September 16: Pastor Brauer will conduct a Discipleship Class, an adult information class that leads to church membership at St. John’s as a communicant member. This course will run weekly until the end of November, where, at the 10:45 AM service that day, those completing the course and desiring to become members will be received through the Rite of Adult Confirmation. If you are interested in this class, or, if, like others at St. John’s, would like a ‘refresher course’ on the Catechism, please call the church office and register. There is no cost.

Donations: Karen Piper made a donation to the Sunday School.

Roselyn Schulz, Jim and Cindy Schulz and John and Julia Schulz made a donation to the General Fund in loving memory of Don Schulz, husband and father, whose birth date is August 29.

Deana Murray, Delores Wiltfong, Lorna Connelly and family and Clay and Dana Alexander and family made donations to the Hymnal Fund.

Thanks: Thank you for all of the prayers and cards I received during my illness. It is great to have a caring church family. I’m feeling stronger each day. God is good to me! - Norma Faulstitch

8/27/2007 (Mon.) Pastor Brauer’s Day Off

8/28/2007 (Tues.)

8/29/2007 (Wed.) 6:30a-Men/Mission-PYO 8:05a-Chapel 10:00a-Matins 10:30a-Wed. Warriors-LL

8/30/2007 (Thurs.) 2:30p-Brownies #204-YR

8/31/2007 (Fri.) Pastor Young’s Day Off 10:30a-Bible Study-LL

9/1/2007 (Sat.) 10:00a-Newspaper Stuffers-HA 1:00p-Brentwood 4:30p-Contemporary Wrshp.-GYM 6:00p-Worship

9/2/2007 (Sun.) 8:00a-Worship/Communion 9:15a-Coffee-CAF 9:30a-Bible Study-CAF 10:45a-Worship

Sunday School Update:
Sunday School is still in need of 2-3 more teachers in order to cover all grade levels. If you believe that Sunday School is important at St. John's, please consider volunteering to teach full or part-time. All of the materials will be provided to you and no experience is needed. Please contact Tracy Fronk by September 1st if you would like to help.

Pastor: Rev. David M. Young

Pastor: Rev. Ronald A Brauer

Organist Susan Rosselli

Altar Guild: Chris Adams

Marian Passafume

Sue Schoff

Elders on Duty: 6:00 PM: Ron Scherer, Jim Sherwood

10:00 AM: Jim Sherwood

The Altar flowers this week were sponsored by Walter Gesse in loving memory of his wife, Charlotte, whose death date was August 28.

AS WE GATHER

God would have all people to be saved, to enter by the narrow door. Yet, in our own strength, this is not possible. Therefore, we rely on Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, whose blood intercedes for us before the Father, and upon the Holy Spirit who brings us into saving faith.

HYMN LSB 907: “God Himself is Present”

1. God Himself is present: Let us now adore Him
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple--All within keep silence,
Prostrate lie with deepest reverence.
He alone On His throne,
Is our God and Savior Praise His name forever.

2. God Himself is present: Hear the harps resounding;
See the hosts the throne surrounding!
"Holy, holy, holy"--Hear the hymn ascending,
Songs of saints and angels blending.
Bow Your ear To us here:
Hear, O Christ, the praises that Your Church now raises.

3. Fount of every blessing, Purify my spirit,
Trusting only in Your merit.
Like the holy angels, worshipping before You,
May I ceaselessly adore You.
Let Your will Ever still
Rule Your Church terrestrial as the hosts celestial.

INVOCATION AND PSALM (from Psalm 117)

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

Pastor: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.

Pastor: If You, Lord, kept a record of our sin, who could stand before You?

Pastor: Let us confess our sins to God.

(silence for reflection)

Pastor: Faithful Lord,

Pastor: Rejoice, for your names are written in heaven, because Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant, has shed His blood that you might have forgiveness of sins. God has declared you not guilty through Jesus Christ. In His name and at His command I for give you all your sins, in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit.

HYMN OF PRAISE LSB 915: “Today Your Mercy Calls Us”

1. Today your mercy calls us To wash away our sin.
However great our trespass, Whatever we have been,
However long from mercy Our hearts have turned away,
Your precious blood can wash us And make us clean today.

2. Today your gate is open, And all who enter in
Shall find a Father’s welcome And pardon for their sin.
The past shall be forgotten, A present joy be given,
A future grace be promised, A glorious crown in heaven.

3. Today our Father calls us; His Holy Spirit waits;
His blessed angels gather Around the heavenly gates.
No question will be asked us, How often we have come;
Although we oft have wandered, It is our Father’s home.

4. O all embracing Mercy, O ever open Door,
What should we do without you When heart and eye run over?
When all things seem against us, To drive us to despair,
We know one gate is open, One ear will hear our prayer.

Pastor: O Almighty God, to know You is eternal life. Give us Your Holy Spirit that we may know without doubt that Your, Son Jesus, is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that following steadfastly in His steps, we may enter by the narrow door that leads to eternal life. We pray through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever, Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 66:18-23

(God will make new heavens and earth.)

PSALMODY (Psalm 96:6a; 115:18; Ps. 117)

Pastor: Splendor and majesty are before him.

People: We extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord.
Pastor: Praise the Lord, all you nations.
People: Extol him, all you peoples.

Pastor: For great is his love toward us,
People: and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Pastor: Splendor and majesty are before him.

NEW TESTAMENT Hebrews 12:4-24

GOSPEL Luke 13:22-30 (Enter through the narrow door.)

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

HYMN: LSB 864 “Shepherd of Tender Youth”

Shepherd of tender youth, Guiding in love and truth

You are our holy Lord, O all subduing Word,

You are the great high priest; Your have prepared the feast

So now, and till we die, Sound we your praises high

You are the truth, your Word alone True wisdom can impart;
You only can inform the mind And purify the heart.

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