Worship at St. John’s
Much of the life at St. John’s is focused on cooperate worship in Word and Sacrament. In worship, we praise the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) by listening and responding to the Word. In worship, we follow the liturgy of the church, we hear the right proclamation of God’s Word, we are strengthened in the faith as we feast upon the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Altar and we lift our voices as we sing Christ centered hymns and music.
Worship Schedule
Saturday Evenings at 5:30 pm
(Holy Communion celebrated every first and third week)
Sunday Mornings at 8:30 am and 11:00 am
(Holy Communion celebrated every first and third week)
Worship at St. John's: The 8:30 AM service is a traditional liturgy and the music is traditional hymns (and other hymns from various resources). The Senior and Youth Choirs typically sing in this service. This service is recorded for broadcast for the 11:00 AM broadcast on WXRL 1300. The 11:00 AM Service uses a spoken liturgy that changes wording from week to week and the music will be praise songs led by our Praise Band. The format and musical accompaniment for our Saturday 5:30 PM worship is similar to the 8:30 AM worship service, however the musicians change from week to week.
|
Preparation |
Service of the Word |
Service of the Sacrament |
|
Invocation - Matthew 28:19 - Ephesians 2:18 |
Kyrie - Matthew 9:27 Matthew 15:23 |
Preface - Psalm 86:4 |
|
Confession - 1 John 1:8-10 |
Hymn of Praise - Luke 2:14 Revelation 5:12ff. |
Proper Preface - Psalm 86:4 |
|
Absolution - John 20:23 |
Collect |
Sanctus - Isaiah 6:23 - Matthew 21:9 |
|
|
Lesson - 1 Timothy 4:13 |
The Prayer of Thanksgiving |
|
|
Epistle - 1 Timothy 4:13 |
The Lord’s Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13 |
|
|
Alleluia Verse - Joel 2:22 - John 6:68 |
The Words of Institution - Matthew 26:26-28 - Mark 14:22-24 - Luke 22:19-20 - 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 |
|
|
Gospel - 1 Timothy 4:13 |
Peace of the Lord - John 20:19 |
|
|
Creed - 1 Corinthians 15:1 |
Angus Dei - John 1:29 |
|
|
Hymn |
The Post Communion Canticle - Luke 2:29ff |
|
|
Sermon |
Prayer of Thanks - Psalm 107:1 - Psalm 118:1 |
|
|
Offering/Offertory - Psalm 51:10-12 |
Benediction - Numbers 6:24 |
|
|
Prayers of the Church - 1 Timothy 2:1-2 |
|
"When the Hour came, Jesus and His apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.' After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, 'take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.'
And he took bread gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'this is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Luke 22:14-20 (NIV)
Holy Communion is celebrated on the first and third Sundays of each month. In addition, the Sacrament is celebrated on Christmas Eve (11:00pm) Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Pentecost and Thanksgiving Day.
We as Lutherans believe in the clear claim of Christ in the Holy Scriptures that His body and blood are truly present in the Sacrament and distributed to those who eat and drink. Prior to communion a person is encouraged (based on the clear statement in 1 Cor. 11:28-29) to examine him or herself. One should consider the following questions from Dr. Luther's Small Catechism:
1. Do you believe you are a sinner?
2. Are you also sorry for your sins?
3. Do you believe then, that the true body and blood of Christ are in the Sacrament?
Holy Communion Practice at St. John’s
Members may announce by signing a card in the pew rack and handing it to an elders as they go forward to receive the Sacrament. Other who have been baptized and instructed in the meaning of the Sacrament, and who agree in the clear teaching of Christ in the Holy Scriptures that His body and blood are truly present in the Sacrament and distributed to those who eat and drink, may commune with us. If you are in doubt, please speak to one of the pastors or an elder before the service begins.
