TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod
1960 East Johns Avenue
Decatur, Illinois 62521 - Phone 217-422-3630
The Transfiguration of Our Lord
February 15, 2015
Our hymns for today: 537, 414, (633, 873, 389), 814
Rev. John Laux
Mary Lou Gardner
Amy Mazzeo
Daniel Gibson
Pastor
Secretary
Organist
LSA Teacher
Pastor Laux – [email protected]
Office – [email protected]
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AS WE GATHER
Welcome to all who join us for worship today. We pray that God will bless you with a
stronger faith through our worship service. Greet one another before and after the service-especially our visitors. Please fill out an attendance card available in the pew racks and
introduce yourself at the door. If you would like a visit, prayer, or just information, please
note that on the card.
PRAYER IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP
On this day when we celebrate God’s revelation in Christ to Gentiles as well as Jews, may we
be ready to receive God’s love in Christ our Lord.
Divine Service Setting Three, Page 184
Opening Hymn
“Beautiful Savior”
LSB 537
Stand
The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
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C
P
P
C
P
C
P
C
P
C
In the name of the Father and of the T Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Beloved in the Lord! Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins unto God our
Father, beseeching Him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
O almighty God, merciful Father,
I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto You all my sins and iniquities with which I have
ever offended You and justly deserved Your temporal and eternal punishment. But I am
heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray You of Your boundless
mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Your beloved
Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.
Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the
Word, announce the grace of God unto all of you, and in the stead and by the command of my
Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the T Son and of
the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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Introit
Ps. 99:1–5; antiphon: Ps. 99:9
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy | mountain;*
for the LORD our God is | holy!
The LORD reigns; let the peoples | tremble!*
He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the | earth quake!
The LORD is great in | Zion;*
he is exalted over all the | peoples.
Let them praise your great and | awesome name!*
Holy is he!
The King in his might loves | justice.*
You have established equity; you have executed justice and righteousness in | Jacob.
Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his | footstool!*
Holy is he!
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.
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy | mountain;*
for the LORD our God is | holy!
Gloria Patri
Kyrie
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Gloria in Excelsis
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Salutation and Collect of the Day
P The Lord be with you.
C And with thy spirit.
P Let us pray.
O God, in the glorious transfiguration of Your beloved Son You confirmed the mysteries of the
faith by the testimony of Moses and Elijah. In the voice that came from the bright cloud You
wonderfully foreshowed our adoption by grace. Mercifully make us co-heirs with the King in His
glory and bring us to the fullness of our inheritance in heaven; through the same Jesus Christ, our
Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C Amen.
Sit
Old Testament Reading
2 Kings 2:1–12
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Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha
were on their way from Gilgal. 2And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the LORD has sent
me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave
you.” So they went down to Bethel. 3And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to
Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over
you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” 4Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for
the LORD has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will
not leave you.” So they came to Jericho. 5The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near
to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from
over you?” And he answered, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.” 6Then Elijah said to him, “Please stay
here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as you yourself
live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on. 7Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also
went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8Then Elijah
took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to
the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. 9When they had crossed, Elijah said to
Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let
there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” 10And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet,
if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall
not be so.” 11And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire
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separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12And Elisha saw it and
he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no
more.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Gradual
Praise the LORD, all | nations!*
Extol him, all | peoples!
For great is his steadfast | love toward us,*
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory | due his name;*
bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Epistle
Ps. 117:1–2a; 96:8
2 Corinthians 3:12–13; 4:1–6
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Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13not like Moses, who would put a veil over his
face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.
4:1
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2But we have
renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s
word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s
conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are
perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep
them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what
we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’
sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the
light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
A This is the Word of the Lord.
C Thanks be to God.
Stand
Alleluia and Verse
Holy Gospel
P The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark, the 9th chapter, vs. 2-9
Mark 9:2–9
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And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high
mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3and his clothes became radiant,
intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with
Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are
here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6For he did not
know what to say, for they were terrified. 7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out
of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8And suddenly, looking around, they no
longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 9And as they were coming down the mountain, he
charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
P This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Apostles' Creed
C 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 T everlasting. Amen.
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Sit
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Sermon Hymn
Sermon
Sermon Text
“'Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here”
LSB 414
“Help From Above”
Mark 9:2-9
Stand
Offertory
Sit
Offering
Stand
Prayer of the Church
Preface
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P
It is truly meet, right, and salutary . . . evermore praising You and saying:
Sanctus
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Lord's Prayer
The Words of Our Lord
P Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had
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given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My T body,
which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
P
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it
to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My T blood, which is
shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of
Me.”
Pax Domini
Agnus Dei
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Sit
The Lord's Supper is the holiest gift of God to the Church. Therefore, we follow the New Testament
practice of closed communion. Holy communion testifies to our oneness in the doctrine of the Apostles
(Acts 2:42). The Scriptures teach that those who eat of Christ's blood in the Lutheran Church must
believe in the real presence of Christ, must be instructed and believe in the correct doctrines of the
faith. We invite communicant members of this and other Missouri Synod congregations to
commune. If you are interested in communicant membership, speak to Pastor Laux and he will
happily work with you to arrange a time for you to be instructed in new membership classes.
Distribution
Distribution Hymns
“At the Lamb's High Feast We Sing”
“Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies”
“Let All Together Praise Our God”
LSB 633
LSB 873
LSB 389
Stand
Nunc Dimittis
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Thanksgiving
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A
Let us pray.
O God the Father, the fountain and source of all goodness, who in loving kindness sent Your
only-begotten Son into the flesh, we thank You that for His sake You have given us pardon
and peace in this Sacrament, and we ask You not to forsake Your children but always to rule
our hearts and minds by Your Holy Spirit that we may be enabled constantly to serve You;
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Salutation and Benedicamus
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Benediction
Closing Hymn
“O Bless the Lord, My Soul”
LSB 814
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CHILDREN’S BULLETINS may be found on the stand just outside the center sanctuary doors.
P.A. DEVICE AVAILABLE - Please see an usher if you have difficulty hearing.
PEW CUSHIONS are available from a box near the Usher’s Stand. Help yourself and please feel free to
leave them in your seat after services.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TODAY AT 10:15 A. M. Nursery thru 8th Grade - Downstairs Sunday
School Classrooms.
HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY - Tracie England - Library
ADULT BIBLE STUDY - Pastor Laux - Fellowship Hall
GOLDEN HEIRS - “Good News” - Harry Kaminski - Conference Room
THE CHURCH OFFICE regularly scheduled hours: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Tuesday through Friday.
Pastor Laux is available on Monday and will be in the office other than for meetings, calls, etc. Pastor
Laux is normally scheduled off on Friday. In the event of an EMERGENCY, you may call Pastor Laux at
home 875-4560 or cell phone 521-3372. Trinity’s FAX number is 422-8901, office e-mail address is
[email protected], and Pastor’s e-mail address is [email protected]
Weekly Average Offering 2015_____________________ $3809.08
Weekly Offerings Needed for 2015 Budget___________ $3495.02
Weekly Average Attendance for 2015_________________101
THIS WEEK AT TRINITY:
Sunday, February 15, 2015
9:00 AM – Worship Service
10:15 AM – Sunday School, High School Bible Study, Adult Bible Study
Monday, February 16, 2015
Limited Office Hours
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Ash Wednesday
5:30 PM – LWML Ash Wednesday Supper
7:00 PM – Ash Wednesday Service
Thursday, February 19, 2015
8:30 AM – Quilters
10:30 AM – Midweek Bible Study
Sunday, February 22, 2015
9:00 AM – Worship Service
10:15 AM – Sunday School, High School Bible Study, Adult Bible Study
We still have 2 midweeks that do not have sponsors for the Lenten suppers. The
dates are Wednesday, March 18 and Wednesday March 25. If your group can
sponsor one of these dates, please give me a call in the office. Thanks!
Mary Lou
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Leading us in worship today:
The Officiant
The Organist
The Elders
The Acolyte
The Ushers
The Greeters
The Altar Guild
The Offering Counters
Rev. John Laux
Amy Mazzeo
Zeb Poland, Dave Morris
Brandon Kurecki
Kent Welch, Mike Kurecki, Dick Kresin
Bonnie Morris, Loraine Birmingham, Carol Bork
Edythe Bork
Bill Buechsenschuetz, Diana Buechsenschuetz
Our Volunteers for Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2015
The Officiant
The Organist
The Elders
The Acolyte
The Ushers
Pastor John Laux
Amy Mazzeo
Bill Buechsenschuetz, Jim Harper
Andrew Poland
John Weaver, Zeb Poland
Our Volunteers for Sunday, February 22, 2015
The Officiant
The Organist
The Elders
The Acolyte
The Ushers
The Greeters
The Altar Guild
The Offering Counters
Rev. John Laux
Amy Mazzeo
Kent Birmingham, Kent Welch
Matthew Pladers
Allen Bork, John Casebeer, Aaron Nelson
Marilyn Bobbett, Betty Smith, Jean Crane
Judy Latch
Judy Latch
Family prayers for Sally Kelly,
Michael Knowles and family, Sarah Knowles
The altar flowers are given to the glory of God by
Joe and Susan Patterson in memory of loved ones
The worship folders are given to the glory of God by
Edith Casebeer in celebration of family birthdays
and for many blessings received
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These dates are still available to sponsor altar flowers: Mar 1, Mar 15, Mar 29,
Apr 5, May 17, Aug 2, Aug 23, Sep 27, Oct 18
The worship folders have now all been sponsored. Thank you for your generosity
SCRIPS Help the KFF Scholarship Program!!
ORDERS ACCEPTED
02/08/2015
02/22/2015
03/08/2015
03/22/2015
ORDERS DELIVERED
02/15/2015
03/01/2015
03/15/2015
03/29/2015
Kroger is no longer participating in the SCRIP Program.
Buying SCRIP cards for Jerry Pelz and NE Community Fund? The KFF committee
will put them in a Christmas card with your name and address and deliver them for
you. We provide this service to you all year, but we’re especially pleased to be able to
help you out during the Christmas season!
GOOD NEWS!! Subway has increased its contribution from 3% to 6 % effective
immediately.
The KFF Committee
KFF IS LOOKING FOR ANY STUDENT WHO WILL ATTEND THE
HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
Any student thinking about attending the LSA High School for school year 2015-2016 should
report your intention to any KFF Scholarship committee member no later than Sunday, February
15th. We realize this seems early, but the process for receiving KFF Scholarship money is
long. We must get started in order to communicate in a timely manner what students we will be
helping. It is imperative that deadlines be met.
Currently, both KFF Scholarship recipients are Seniors so applications are being solicited only
from NEW students.
Committee members are: Kristy Harner, Harry Kaminski, Ilene McQuality and John Weaver
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Here are a couple of address changes to place in your directory:
Ryan, Lauren and Jude Olson have moved to 103 N. Orchard Street,
PO Box 154, Oreana, Illinois 62554
Bob Grabowski’s new address is: c/o McKinley Court, 500 W. McKinley,
Room 216, Decatur, Illinois 62526
Drew, Stephanie, Carson, Jackson and Hudson Miller’s address is 1329
Katie’s Way, Forsyth, Illinois 62535
If anyone else has moved and needs to change their address with me, or if I have failed to publish an
address change for anyone, please call the office Tuesday through Friday, from 9 AM to 3 PM and give
me your changes. If I am not here when you call, just leave the information on the answering machine
and I’ll get it. Thanks!
Mary Lou
Our condolences to Phillip and Terrie England whose
daughter, LaVonna Sechrest, passed away unexpectedly
on Saturday, February 7th. Our prayers are with you and
may the peace of the Lord be with you and all of your
family.
New Life Pregnancy Center News
Do you have a heart for helping young women facing unplanned pregnancies? If so, New Life will
be holding a new volunteer training session on February 28. For more information or to register,
please call New Life Pregnancy Center at 872-5556. Deadline for registration is Wednesday,
February 25.
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LSA NEWS
The Lutheran School Association is seeking names and candidates for two positions for
the upcoming 2015-2016 school year. LSA is looking for a called Upper-Level (High
School) Science & Religion position. They are also seeking a High School Principal. To
submit a name or resume, contact LSA’s Executive Director Kyle Karsten at
[email protected] or 233-2001. LSA will begin interviewing by the end of
February.
LSA is looking for part time bus drivers. Drivers need to be certified with the state
through the school. The next bus driver training session will be held March 14th at the
Macon-Piatt Regional Office. For more information, call Heidi McCormick at 233-2001
ext. 102.
2015-2016 LSA Registration: LSA student Registration is going on now for the 20152016 school year! The registration fee for February is $50.00 per student and will
increase at $50.00 increments each month until August. If you have an incoming
kindergartener or high schooler, be sure to call LSA’s admissions director Susan Keane
(233-2001) to ask about LSA’s tuition-free drawing in February and how you can qualify
now. You could win an elementary education or high school education for your student!
February 26th – LSA PTL Fundraiser Features Nelson's Chicken Dinners
LSA’s PTL will be holding a Nelson’s Chicken Dinner Fundraiser on February 26th from
4 – 7 pm, drive-thru style. Nelson's has been featured in a variety of area fundraisers.
Their mouth-watering, hearty chicken dinners with green beans, mashed potatoes and
gravy, and dessert are the answer to our prayers these cold and cloudy winter days!
Tickets are on sale for $9 and will be sold through February 15th. Please pay by check or
correct change. Tickets will be sold on Sundays at church starting February 1st. If you are
interested in buying or selling tickets or helping out that night, please contact Heather
Meadows at 855-0806 (or text) or [email protected]. Our goal is to sell 400
tickets. We need volunteers to sell tickets at our churches and basketball games and 18-24
volunteers for the day of the event
LSA Dinner Auction: This year’s annual LSA Dinner Auction will be held April 18th at
the Mt. Zion Convention Center. Now is the time to bring in your donations! Check with
your student’s teacher to see what their classroom theme is this year. Bring a little or bring
a lot; any donations are appreciated! Donation forms are available in the school office.
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Lent begins Wednesday and our Ash Wednesday service will be held at 7:00 P.M. with a
hymn sing at 6:45 and dinner served beginning at 5:30. The theme for our midweek services this year is
“Calling Us Home.” Each Wednesday we’ll delve into 1 Peter and learn truths that are both challenging
and comforting for this journey we are on, the journey to our true home in heaven. Join us!
I am taking Chris on a “mystery two night trip” after church today for President’s Day. We are flying out
of Chicago to an unknown destination later this afternoon. Thanks to Pastor Weseloh for taking my adult
bible class this morning. We plan on returning Tuesday in the early evening. Please call Pastor Weseloh
for a pastoral emergency at 425-5753.
We pray for God’s blessings on Pastor Weseloh who was elected the next Decatur Circuit Visitor at our
Circuit Forum last Sunday. If ratified by our district convention this July, Pastor Weseloh will take office
after the convention. I wish to thank the circuit for the support they showed me through my six years as
Circuit Visitor.
Pastor Laux
Very Happy Birthday To:
Mile Rivera
February 23
The Companionship Guild Lenten Supper will be Wednesday, March 4th at 5:30 PM.
Menu will be: chili, cheese toasties, dessert and a drink. Members can check with
Carol Bork on items they can bring.
Trinity Bulletin is produced on a Sharp MX-M363N from Watts Copy Machines “where service is more than a promise”.
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