Download Give Up the Comfortable… Pick Up the Cross

2nd Sunday in Lent
February 21, 2016
Give Up the Comfortable…
Pick Up the Cross
www.sothgreeley.org
Seeking the Lost...Feeding the Found...with God’s Word and Sacraments
Pastor Matthew Holtz
Church Office:
970-353-6582
Cell Phone:
970-576-1154
Email:
[email protected]
Those who serve:
Pianist:
Ushers:
Jamie Sinner
Dan Hohenstein & Ib Meyer
W
elcome to everyone, especially to all our guests. We are so glad you
have chosen to attend Shepherd of the Hills for worship today. If you have
any questions or would like to learn more about us, please speak with Pastor
Holtz. Are you wondering what the Best Next Step at Shepherd of the Hills
is? We encourage you to worship with us again and talk to Pastor Holtz
about FaithBuilders. Information on this Bible course can be found in the
announcements on page 18.
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
Restrooms are located on the left as you exit the sanctuary and in
the Fellowship Hall to your right.

Cry-Room - If you have a young child or nursing infant and are in
need of a cry-room, you will find it located in the Fellowship Hall in
the first room on the right. A television in that room has a live audio/
video feed of the service.

Children’s Bulletins for Ages 3 – 6 are available from the ushers.
These bulletins are a quiet and fun way to involve young children in
worship and teach them the Bible.
WORSHIP NOTES
The Season of Lent
The word Lent comes from an Old English word for Spring (“lengten,” the time of the year
when the light of the day grows longer). For the last 1700 years, the Church has set aside the 40
days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of special preparation. It is a time of
repentance and renewal.
During Lent, our rejoicing is muted as we remember our Lord’s suffering and death. But it is
with a purpose: we know that the Lord who died took up his life again on Easter Sunday morning. So our 40 days of Lent are ones lived in the certain hope of the resurrection.
The color of the season is purple. Purple is the ancient color of royalty. We have this kind of
king: he wore a crown of thorns, and carried a cross for us. Thanks be to God!
For the precise counters in the congregation, the Church speaks of only 40 days of Lent because
we do not count the Sundays, which retained their significance as “little Easters.” That is why
they are called “Sundays in Lent” and not “Sundays of Lent.”
You often hear about people “giving something up” for Lent. Usually it’s some minor, insignificant vice like sweets. However, during Lent God calls us to give up something much more serious: our sin. Today Jesus calls us to give up our cowardly desire to hang on to earthly comfort.
He calls us to be willing, as he was, to give up anything and everything for the sake of God and
his kingdom. He lovingly warns us that, if we spend our lives serving our stomach, our house
will eventually lie desolate.
Sunday, February 14
Give Up Sin...Pick Up Holiness
Sunday, February 21
Give Up the Comfortable...Pick Up the Cross
Sunday, February 28
Give Up Complacency...Pick Up Repentance
Sunday, March 6
Give Up Self-Righteousness...Pick Up Mercy
Sunday, March 13
Give Up Formalism...Pick Up Genuine Connection
Sunday, March 20(Palm Sunday)
Give Up Opposition...Pick Up a King
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DIVINE SERVICE II
[Divine Service II is a version of the historic liturgy of the Christian Church]
GATHERING RITE
Remember Your Love
The minister introduces the refrain. The congregation repeats the refrain and sings it again as
indicated. The minister sings the verses.
M: As watchmen who wait upon the daylight, wait for the Lord.
I trust in your kindness and redemption and your faithful word.
C: Refrain
M: Before all the mountains were begotten and earth took shape,
Even then, O Lord, you were our refuge throughout ev’ry age
C: Refrain
STAND
M: The grace of our Lord (+) Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Dear friends, let us approach God with a true heart and confess our sins, asking him in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us.
C: Holy and merciful Father, I confess that I am by nature sinful and that I have
disobeyed you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have done what is evil and failed
to do what is good. For this I deserve your punishment both now and in eternity. But
I am truly sorry for my sins, and trusting in my Savior Jesus Christ, I pray: Lord,
have mercy on me, a sinner.
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M: Lord Jesus, obedient in the desert:
M:
C:
M: Christ Jesus, the promise of salvation:
M:
C:
M: Lord Jesus, the flood of living water:
M:
C:
M: God, our heavenly Father, has been merciful to us and has given his only Son to be the
atoning sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, as a called servant of Christ and by his authority,
I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
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The Word
SALUTATION
M: The Lord be with you
C: And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
M: Let us pray.
Almighty God, you see that we have not power to defend ourselves. Guard and keep us
both outwardly and inwardly from all adversities that may happen to the body and from all
evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
BE SEATED
FIRST LESSON
Jeremiah 26:8-15
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But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must
die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city
will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the
Lord.
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When the officials of Judah heard about these things, they went up from the royal palace
to the house of the Lord and took their places at the entrance of the New Gate of the Lord’s
house. 11 Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and all the people, “This man
should be sentenced to death because he has prophesied against this city. You have heard it with
your own ears!”
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Then Jeremiah said to all the officials and all the people: “The Lord sent me to prophesy
against this house and this city all the things you have heard. 13 Now reform your ways and your
actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he
has pronounced against you. 14 As for me, I am in your hands; do with me whatever you think is
good and right. 15 Be assured, however, that if you put me to death, you will bring the guilt of
innocent blood on yourselves and on this city and on those who live in it, for in truth the Lord
has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.” (NIV)
M: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
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PSALM OF THE DAY
Psalm 42-43
As the deer pants for streams of water,*
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.*
Where can I go and meet with God?
Why are you downcast, O my soul?*
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,*
for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Refrain
Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me;*
let them bring me to the place where you dwell.
Then will I go to the altar of God, my joy and my delight.*
I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
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.
Refrain
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SECOND LESSON
Philippians 3:17-4:1
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Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a
model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and
now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny
is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on
earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the
Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand
firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! (NIV)
M: This is the Word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God!
VERSE OF THE DAY
C:
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STAND
GOSPEL
Luke 13:31-35
M: The Gospel according to Luke chapter 13.
C: Glory be to you, O Lord.
31
At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go
somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.”
32
He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today
and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ 33 In any case, I must press on today
and tomorrow and the next day—for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!
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“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I
have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and
you were not willing. 35 Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me
again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (NIV)
M: This is the Gospel of our Lord.
C: Praise be to you, O Christ.
BE SEATED
HYMN OF THE DAY
Though Thoughtless Thousands Choose
Christian Worship 466
SERMON
9
STAND
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary,
and became fully human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who in unity with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
BE SEATED
OFFERING
In response to God’s love, we bring him our offerings. The members of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran
Church have joined together to do the Lord's work in this community and around the world. Guests need
not feel obligated to participate in this offering which supports our ministry.
We ask that everyone, both guests and members, sign the worship register during the collection of the
offering so that we might have record of who joined us and invite you to upcoming events.
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STAND
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
M: Heavenly Father, you loved the world and gave your Son to liberate us from sin and death
by his obedient death on the cross.
C: We confess that without your love we are lost.
M: Lord of the Church, we thank you for the treasure of the gospel. By your Spirit, keep
our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
C: Strengthen our determination to do what pleases you, no matter what the danger
or the cost.
M: Let us pray for those who carry a cross in the name of Christ and face ridicule and
persecution for the sake of the kingdom: missionaries and chaplains, young people who
stand up for what is right in the face of pressure to do what is wrong, and all who pay a
high price for their faith and their values as Christians.
C: By your Spirit, O Lord, grant them patience and endurance.
M: Let us pray for those who carry heavy burdens in life: the sick and chronically ill, the
depressed and the lonely, those torn by conflict in personal relationships, those
victimized by war and injustice, and all who face the terrors of life with a heavy heart.
C: Grant them peace, O Lord, and in your mercy, be their guardian and friend, their
comfort and hope.
M: Let us pray for those who care for others: pastors and counselors; physicians and nurses;
social workers and caring friends; all who feed the hungry, comfort the hurting, and stand
beside the dying.
C: Strengthen them in their work, O Lord, and do not let them become weary in doing
good.
Special prayers and intercessions may follow.
M: Hear us, Lord, as we bring you our private petitions.
Silent prayer.
M: Help us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Keep us faithful even to the
point of death, that we may receive the crown of life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
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The Sacrament
PREFACE
M: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
M: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
M: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is good and right so to do.
M: It is truly good and right that we should at all times and in all places give you thanks, O
Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has
called to be his own that we may live under him in his kingdom and serve him in
everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness.
Therefore with all the saints on earth and hosts of heaven, we praise your holy name and
join their glorious song:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Sanctus
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PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
M: Blessed are you, O Lord of heaven and earth. We praise and thank you for sending your
Son, Jesus Christ, and remember the great acts of love through which he has ransomed
us from sin, death, and the devil’s power.
By his incarnation, he became one with us.
By his perfect life, he fulfilled your holy will.
By his innocent death, he overcame hell.
By his rising from the grave, he opened heaven.
Invited by your grace and instructed by your Word, we approach your table with
repentant and joyful hearts. Strengthen us through Christ’s body and blood, and preserve
us in the true faith until we feast with him and all his ransomed people in glory
everlasting.
C: Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
C: 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.
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WORDS OF INSTITUTION
M: Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given
thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body,
which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of
sins. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: Amen.
LAMB OF GOD
Angus Dei
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BE SEATED
DISTRIBUTION

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church practices close communion. We ask that only
our church members or members of other Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
churches come forward to receive the Sacrament.
If you are a member of another Lutheran denomination or Christian church and
would like to commune with us in the future, please speak with Pastor Holtz after the
service and he would be happy to explain what that entails.
After the first group of communicants receives the Lord’s Supper, the congregation will join in singing
the distribution hymn.
DISTRIBUTION HYMN
What Wondrous Love Is This
Christian Worship 120
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STAND
SONG OF SIMEON
Nunc Dimittis
M: We give you thanks, O Lord, for the foretaste of the heavenly banquet that you have given
us to eat and to drink in this sacrament. Through this gift you have fed our faith, nourished
our hope, and strengthened our love. By your Spirit help us to live as your holy people
until that day when you will receive us as your guests at the wedding supper of the Lamb,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
C: Amen.
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BLESSING
M: The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord look on you with favor and (+) give you peace.
C: Amen.
CLOSING HYMN
Savior, Again to Thy Dear Name
Christian Worship 321
The following items are reprinted under OneLicense.net #A-711278

Divine Service II
Christian Worship Supplement: © 2008 Northwestern Publishing House
Clip art used by permission from paramentics.com
This Week’s Activities ( v i s i t o r s w e l c o m e ! )
Today............................ 9am
10:15am
12pm
Monday ........................ 9am
Wednesday ................... 6:00pm
7:00pm
Friday ........................... 5:30pm
Saturday .......................
Sunday.......................... 9am
10:15am
Sunday Communion Worship
Bible Study & Sunday School
Youth Catechism Class
Circuit Meeting in Loveland
Lenten Meal
Mid-Week Lent Worship Service
Winter Carnival
Church Cleaners: McKenna & Sedaghat/Wilson
Sunday Worship
Bible Class & Sunday School
Ushers: Moya & Hinz
Snacks: Pr enzlow & Recknor
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Announcements
Sunday School: Sunday School classes will meet in the chur ch by the piano for Music
Time at 10:15 am. After that the classes will go to their separate classrooms.
Sunday Bible Class Series: Long befor e cell phones, the Inter net, or HDTV could ever
broadcast a message, Jesus’ words attracted crowds by the thousands. Yet many people found
certain words and sayings to be confusing or challenging. Perhaps you’ve had trouble with
these as well. Though some of Jesus’ words are indeed hard, they are well worth the struggle to
understand them.
This study will clear up the confusion around difficult and controversial statements that Jesus
made during his earthly mission. Join us this Sunday as we continue to work together to better
understand the Hard Sayings of Jesus and become better equipped to help explain them to others.
Wednesday Night Lenten Meals: Lenten Meals continue this Wednesday at 6:00 p. m.
The Fellowship Committee members will sponsor the next three Wednesday Meals. The final
Wednesday Meal will also be a potluck. The three weeks the Fellowship committee is sponsoring the meal, the committee will take care of the main course and drinks. We ask the congregation to provide a dessert or a Freewill Offering. Menu theme for February 24 is American hosted by Joan Ingmanson; March 2 is Italian hosted by Trish Recknor; and March 9 is Mexican
hosted by Kathy Goforth.
Bowling Event: J oin fellow chur ch member s and guests for a bowling event on Satur day,
February 27 at 1:00 p.m. Sign up on the sheet in the Fellowship Hall by today. Enjoy an afternoon of bowling at Chipper Lanes (8th Ave & 25th). Cost is $10.00 per person for 2 hours of
bowling w/shoes. This activity is open to all ages.
Lutheran Women's Missionary Society News: LWMS mission offer ings can be tur ned into
Joan Ingmanson by Sunday, March 27. Our Regional Spring Rally will be held this year in Fort
Morgan at Shepherd of the Plains Lutheran Church (627 Ensign Street) on Saturday, April
30. Light breakfast will be served from 8:15 a.m. until the start of rally at 9:00 a.m. Lunch will
be served around noon with the rally ending at 3:00 p.m.
Our LWMS National Convention is being held in St Charles, Il, June 23-26th. If you are interested in attending more information is available on the LWMS national website (lwms.org).
FaithBuilders: FaithBuilders is our basic Bible cour se which cover s the four key concepts
of the Bible: Sin, Grace, Faith, and Good Works. FaithBuilders is for people interested in
becoming members of Shepherd of the Hills, or for people just looking to build their faith
through the study of the basic teachings of the Bible. This study is offered quarterly. Please
speak to or email Pastor Holtz ([email protected]) if you’d like to attend the next session.
Childcare can be provided.
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Sundays from February 7 – March 20
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Bible Study Room in the Education Wing
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Church Leadership at Shepherd of the Hills
Council of Elders
Facilities Elder: .............................................. Bret Bollmeier (970-673-4390; [email protected])
Finances Elder: ...................................................Ken Debban* (970-330-5981;[email protected])
Fellowship Elder: ...................................... Dan Hohenstein** (970-396-2938; [email protected])
Outreach Elder: ....................................................Phil Prellwitz (970-356-5547; [email protected])
Spiritual Growth Elder: ......................................... Ib Meyer (970-396-8957; [email protected])
* Chairman
** Secretary
Staff
Pastor:
Matt Holtz
Preschool Director/Teacher:
Kim Bollmeier
Preschool Teacher:
Karen Schott
Preschool Aide:
Elizabeth Hohenstein
Preschool Aide:
Rachel Meyer
Church/Preschool Secretary:
Kim Schulz
950 43rd Ave
Greeley, CO 80634
WELCOME TO SHEPHERD OF THE HILLS
God’s grace welcomes you, no matter who you are or where you are from – and so do we. We believe that
Jesus Christ is the true Savior of all people. By his perfect life, innocent death, and triumphant resurrection he has won forgiveness for all lost sinners even without our help. Through faith in what Jesus has
done, God makes believers special people, right with God and ready for life! We learn this from the Bible,
God’s authentic message of grace and guidance for us.
Whether you are a first time visitor or a returning guest, we are delighted to share our worship with you.
You are always welcome here, so please worship with us again soon!
Shepherd of the Hills Evangelical Lutheran Church began public worship in 1975, so that with the
gospel of Jesus Christ, we might strengthen the faith of our members and reach out into our community
and the world. It is a congregation of the WELS (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod). The WELS – so
-named because it began in Wisconsin– has about 400,000 members, congregations in all 50 states, and
missions throughout the world. For more information about WELS go to www.wels.net.
Shepherd of the Hills has Jesus, the Good Shepherd ’s
m i s s i o n , t o S EEK THE LOS T a n d FEED THE FOU N D w i t h
G o d ’ s Wo r d a n d S a c r a m e n t s .
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