July 26, 2020

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened,

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

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Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 3628 Johnson Rd, La Porte, IN 46350

Pastor Kevin Boushek kevinboushek@gmail.com

Church Office: 219-324-7442

Welcome to Beautiful Savior! We are glad that you have come to God’s house to worship him and hear the beautiful message he wants to share with you.

We are a La Porte County family founded on, and growing in, the truth of God’s Word; sharing the love of our Beautiful Savior.

Although our backgrounds differ, we find common ground in our Beautiful Savior, Jesus. Each one of us understands we were once separated from our gracious God. God himself has brought us close to him through our Savior Jesus Christ. In Christ, we have been adopted into the family of God, and we now see each other as brothers and sisters by the blood of Christ. Therefore, we function as a family united in faith, love, and service.

Every family has values. Beautiful Savior’s core values are Biblical Instruction, Fellowship, Outreach, and Prayer.

Thank you for joining us.

We’d like to know about your experience. Following worship visit bslclaporte.org/worship-survey to let us know about it.

Music, Hymns, and Lyrics reprinted under the following

licenses:

Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) #11051607

OneLicense.net

#A-715755

Bulletin artwork © 2018 Ian M. Welch. All Rights Reserved. paramentics.com

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CONNECTION CARDS… Please fill out a digital connection card here: https://bslclaporte.breezechms.com/form/ConnectCard.

PRAYER REQUESTS… Prayer requests can be shared through the digital connection card above. Our prayer team would be excited to pray for you and your family.

WORSHIP PREPARATION… Prayers useful for your preparation to worship your God and Savior can be found on p.10-11 in the front of Christian Worship, the red hymn book located in the pews.

WORSHIP THEME… Seeds are amazing things. They don’t look like much at first. They may not even seem to have much life in them, until you plant them. Cradled and caressed by the soil, refreshed by the water that sprinkles down, and warmed by the sun, what seemed lifeless bursts forth into life. A bright green sprout pushes through the dark earth and the roots spread out to draw in more nutrients.

While it may seem a slow, long process to our eyes, the growth that can occur is remarkable. That little seed can grow into a gorgeous rose bush, or an over-abundant tomato plant, or even a massive, sturdy tree. Continued nurture and time brings growth and maturity, but it begins with a simple planting.

There may be times that God’s Word seems unimpressive, even lifeless. It certainly is not. When that Word is planted in someone’s heart, time, nurture, and God’s blessing can cause gorgeous, abundant, and sturdy faith in that heart.

And our job…simply to plant as many seeds as we can.

Worship Series New is good, right? We like that new car smell; new paint to brighten a room; new clothes that fit the way they are supposed to, vibrant in their colors; new toys – for young and old alike - to capture our imagination and provide hours of entertainment. New is good, but we all need something more than a new car, clothes, or toys. We need a new life, in which there is new light and hope. This Christmas we celebrate the promise of our God to make “All Things New.”

Today’s Worship Focus

All Things New

Worship Series

Many events change our lives dramatically – whether at first glance those events seem positive or negative. A new baby is born into a family. A job is lost. A new pastor begins to serve in the church. A pastor of many years departs. The life we live is a life of changes – things are constantly changing. Yet, our God does not change. Our God remains consistent and calls us also to consistently turn to him through all the changes of our lives. He calls to calm us. He calls us to come to Jesus, proclaim his faithful Word, and rely on his promises.

Today’s Worship Focus

Keep Calm and Plant the Seed

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HYMN – BLESSED JESUS, AT YOUR WORD 221 Full musical notation for this hymn can be found in Christian Worship, the red hymnbook in the pews. It is hymn 221

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THE ORDER OF SERVICE

Minister: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Church: Amen.

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS OF SINS

M: Beloved in the Lord: Let us draw near with a true heart and confess our sins to God our Father, asking him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to grant us forgiveness.

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.

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.

Service Note: When we gather before God we do so honestly through our confession of sin. We confess our sins without fear because of the forgiveness Jesus Christ has won. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8, 9)

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SONG OF PRAISE

M: In the peace of forgiveness, let us sing praise to the Lord.

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PRAYER OF THE DAY

M: Almighty God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your Word. By your Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy and to bring forth fruits in faith and hope and love; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen.

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THE WORD OF GOD THE EIGHTH SUNDAY OF PENTECOST

SCRIPTURE READING ISAIAH 55:10-13

10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed.”

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE

Service Note: The focus of every worship service at Beautiful Savior is God’s Word for our lives. The scripture readings build up to and anticipate the Gospel reading which focuses on the life of Jesus Christ. “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me.” (John 5:39)

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GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 250 In anticipation of the gospel, we rise and sing.

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GOSPEL READING MATTHEW 13:1-9,18-23

1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears

the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22 The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23 But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

M: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Praise be to you, O Christ!

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STATEMENT OF FAITH THE APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe 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 is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there 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 everlasting. Amen.

Service Note: The creed serves as a succinct and clear announcement of the Christian faith and the beliefs of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. The creed also serves as a personal confession of faith. Christ and his work are the center of the creed. “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)

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HYMN– GOOD NEWS OF GOD ABOVE 568 Full musical notation for this hymn can be found in Christian Worship, the red hymnbook in the pews. It is hymn 568.

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MESSAGE

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THE OFFERING – Moved by his love for us, we bring our gifts of thanksgiving to God.

To give a gift now visit https://www.bslclaporte.org/donate

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH & THE 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.

Service Note: The offering is an opportunity for God’s people to bring generous gifts in thanksgiving for all he has done for them. These gifts support Beautiful Savior’s work to reach out with the good news of Jesus and to build up God’s people in their faith. If you are visiting Beautiful Savior today, please do not feel obligated or expected to give. “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Please fill out the online connection card:

https://bslclaporte.breezechms.com/form/ConnectCard

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BLESSING

M: Brothers and sisters, go in peace. Live in harmony with one another. Serve the Lord with gladness.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with his favor and give you his peace. C: Amen.

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HYMN– ALMIGHTY FATHER, BLESS THE WORD 323 Full musical notation for this hymn can be found in Christian Worship, the red hymnbook in the pews. It is hymn 323.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS WEEK AT BEAUTIFUL SAVIOR SERVING NEXT WEEK

MUSIC TECH:

ALTAR CARE:

VIDEO TECH:

USHERS:

SUNDAY 9:30am In-Person Worship PRAYER TEAM:

and Live Stream FELLOWSHIP:

SUNDAY SCHOOL

RESUMING IN-PERSON WORSHIP… In person worship will continue for those who are comfortable. Please read the important documentation of our plans available here: https://tinyurl.com/BSLC-COVID-19-REOPEN . Our goal is to protect the health and safety of all who worship. All worship services will be live streamed for those who desire to worship from home. Volunteers are needed. Sign-ups were delivered via text and e-mail.

PASTOR BOUSHEK’S FAREWELL… Pastor Boushek, Ashley, Aidan, and Emma wish to thank all the family of Beautiful Savior who have supported, encouraged, and worked alongside of us in God’s ministry here in La Porte. You are loved and you will be missed. We look forward to hearing of the ways in which God continues to bless this congregation and spiritual family.

PASTOR’S AVAILABILITY… Pastor Jeremy Koehler, from St. Paul’s, Stevensville will serve as

the vacancy pastor of Beautiful Savior. He may be reached at this number: 262-402-8637.

THANKING GOD FOR HIS BLESSINGS

God’s people at Beautiful Savior have the joy of supporting ministry that spreads the good news of Jesus to our community. The figures below help us celebrate our joyful generosity and move us to greater generosity to our Lord and his mission.

Last Week’s Generosity

Last Month’s Generosity

Monthly Goal

Last Month’s Ministry Cost

Fiscal YTD Generosity

Fiscal YTD Ministry Cost

$1,040 $6,269 $9,344 $9,537 $4,852 $10,001.68