WELCOME TO FOUNTAIN - GRACE -TRINITY PARISH
Ministers: Entire congregation of Fountain - Grace - Trinity Parish
+ Together In Mission +
WELCOME! If you are a visitor please fill out a “Welcome Card” and drop it in the offering plate. Fountain Grace Trinity Lutheran Parish is ELCA of the La Crosse Area Synod. We invite you to participate with us in following Christ as he leads. Parish Office: 226 Erickson Street, Elroy WI 53929 Parish E-mail: grace013@centurytel.net Phone: (608)462-5398
Preservice Music:
Song of Praise “Sanctuary” : Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary pure and holy tried and true. With thanksgiving I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Flowers are given in honor of Dave and Michelle Clark’s anniversary.
Confession & Forgiveness
L: Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
ALL: Amen
L: Holy and gracious God,
ALL: we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. We have lived too often for the present, without regard for generations to come. We have sought the realms of this world, rather than your promised reign of justice and peace. Have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
L: How blessed are those whose sins are forgiven. In the mercy of almighty God, I announce to you the entire forgiveness of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen
Gathering Hymn: “Shall We Gather at the River” ELW #423
1. Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?
Refrain: Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river, gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
2. On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day. Refrain
3. Ere we reach the shining river, lay we ev’ry burden down, grace our spirits will deliver and provide a robe and crown. Refrain
4. Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease, soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace. Refrain
Remembrance of All Saints
L: Let us remember all the saints before God. O God of the pilgrim’s way, we give thanks for those in generations past who have been examples for us of God’s love at work in the world. As we pray, we know that we are surrounded by this great, rejoicing cloud of witnesses. Yet even as we name these holy ancestors, we thank God for others whose names we never knew or have forgotten, who showed us the meaning of life in Christ.
First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
9 After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10 They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16 They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17 for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Word of God, word of life.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
(You are invited to light a candle in thanksgiving and remembrance of those who have been an example of God’s love to you.)
L: Holy God, we honor these, our ancestors in faith and members of our family. We, too, seek to do your will: guide us. We, too, desire to be your servants: strengthen us. We, too, long to know you clearly: teach us. And in time, bring us to our eternal home of peace and joy.
HYMN OF PRAISE: “This is the feast of victory…”ELW pages 149-150
L: This is the feast of victory for our God . Alleluia.
1. Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God. Power and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
L: This is the feast of victory for our God . Alleluia.
2. Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation: Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever Amen.
L: This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia. Alleluia!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
L: Let us pray,
ALL: God of every generation, every place, and every time; we are here because of the faithfulness and dedication of the cloud of witnesses that have come before us. We are joined to the saints of the past, present, and future in common faith in Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Lord. Make us joyful stewards whose lives are a light for the world and a beacon of hope in the kingdom of God. Amen!
*We Hear From God’s Word of Life & Hope*
Reading: Philippians 1: 2-11
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
PRAISE SONG: “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” ELW #172
Halle, halle, hallelujah, Halle, halle, hallelujah,
Halle, halle, hallelujah, Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
HOLY GOSPEL: Matthew 28: 16-20
L: The holy gospel according to Matthew chapter 28 and I read in Jesus name.
ALL: Glory to you, O Lord.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The gospel of the Lord. ALL: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Message: “Jesus Loves the Little Children”
Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.
SERMON -
Hymn of the Day “All Are Welcome” ELW# 641
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live, a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive. Built of hopes and dreams and visions, rock of faith and vault of grace; here the love of Christ shall end divisions: Refrain: All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where prophets speak, and words are strong and true, where all God’s children dare to seek to dream God’s reign anew. Here the cross shall stand as witness and as symbol of God’s grace here as one we claim the faith of Jesus. Refrain
3. Let us build a house where love is found in water wine and wheat, a banquet hall on holy ground where peace and justice meet. Here the love of God, through Jesus, is revealed in time and space, as we share in Christ the feast that frees us: Refrain
4. Let us build a house where hands will reach beyond the wood and stone to heal and strengthen serve and teach and live the Word they’ve known. Here the outcast and the stranger bear the image of God’s face, let us bring an end to fear and danger: Refrain
5. Let us build a house where all are named their songs and visions heard and loved and treasured taught and claimed as words within the Word. Built of tears and cries and laughter, prayers of faith and songs of grace, let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: Refrain
STATEMENT OF FAITH “Apostles’ Creed”
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s 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 to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and 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 OF THE PEOPLE
L: Longing for Christ’s reign to come among us, we pray for the outpouring of God’s power on the church, the world, and all in need. (A brief silence.)
Lord of all the saints, we praise you for evangelists and martyrs whose sacrifices witness to your gospel across time and space. Inspire us by their courage to carry our faith to new people and places around us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
L: Lord of every place, the universe proclaims your greatness from generation to generation. Bless the work of naturalists, conservationists, and park rangers who train our attention to the wonders of the world you have made. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
L: Lord of every nation, guide this country—red states and blue states, rural voters and urban voters, young and old—as we share in another national election. Kindle hearts eager to understand our common needs and seek our common good. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
L: Lord of every blessing, your Son’s blessing came to those living with poverty, grief, hunger, thirst, and persecution. Shape our vision of the saints to match his own. Awaken in us your call to serve all who suffer. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
L: Lord of every venture, anoint us with the missionary spirit of the early church. Bless all new missions of our synod (especially). Empower testimony from new communities of faith to shape a diverse witness to your saving power. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
L: Lord of every time, countless are the multitudes you have called by name and gathered to yourself. Comfort us as we grieve those who have died in the past year. In faith, may we join with them in ceaseless praise. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
L: Receive our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, until that day when you gather all creation around your throne where you will reign forever and ever. AMEN
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
+WE WORSHIP THROUGH OUR GIVING+
Now we join people of faith all over the world in worshipping God
Through our giving of financial resources. Our offering is a significant act of worship, And we now worship God through our giving.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
L: God, accept and bless these offerings that they might serve the purpose of your kingdom coming among us. May they bring the light of hope where there is only the darkness of despair. May they be a bright sign of your gracious love to all they touch in Jesus’ name. Amen
Communion Song #483 vs.1 & 2
Leader: Here is Bread. Here is wine. ALL: Christ is with us, he is with us.
Leader: Break the bread, taste the wine. ALL: Christ is with us here.
ALL: In this bread there is healing, in this cup is life forever. In this moment, by the Spirit, Christ is with us here.
Leader: Here is grace. Here is peace. ALL: Christ is with us, he is with us.
Leader: Know his grace, find his peace. ALL: feast on Jesus here.
ALL: In this bread there is healing, in this cup is life forever. In this moment, by the Spirit, Christ is with us here.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION (in the night in which he was betrayed…)
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 forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Communion Song #483 vs.3
Leader: Here we are, joined in one. ALL: Christ is with us, he is with us.
Leader: We’ll proclaim till he comes. ALL: Jesus crucified.
ALL: In this bread there is healing, in this cup is life forever. In this moment, by the Spirit, Christ is with us here.
LORD’S PRAYER
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
Lamb of God you take… ELW page 154
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace.
WE GATHER AT THE TABLE OF THE LORD
The Body of Christ broken for you.
The Blood of Christ shed for you.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
L: Remember us, and all the faithful, when you come into your kingdom, O Lord. As you have fed us with holy food and drink, send us into the world to live as your holy people, until we come to the full vision of your glory, for you are Lord, now and forever. Amen
SENDING HYMN “The Lord Now Sends Us Forth” ELW # 538
The Lord now sends us forth with hands to serve and give, to make of all the earth a better place to live. The Lord now sends us forth with hands to serve and give, to make of all the earth a better place to live. The angels are not sent into our world of pain to do what we were meant to do in Jesus’ name; that falls to you and me and all who are made free. Help us, O Lord, we pray, to do your will today. The angels are not sent into our world of pain to do what we were meant to do in Jesus’ name; that falls to you and me and all who are made free. Help us, O Lord, we pray, to do your will today.
BENEDICTION
L: The church is surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. May you find strength and courage in their presence. Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever. ALL: Amen
L: Go in peace. Christ is with you.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
SENDING MUSIC (Instrumental music)
Thank you for your partnership in the gospel these last four years in ministry together! We have been richly blessed to walk with you in times of joy and sorrow. Remember that the risen Christ Jesus is always with you!
Pastor Jim & Deacon Karen
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