Every Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Denton, we confess our sins to God our Father very early in the service. This sets the stage for the rest of our worship. We have nothing to brag about before God or with each other. We know that our hearts are corrupted. Our sins are not just outward, but we sin in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Romans 3:23 reminds us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Pastor responds to our confession by sharing the forgiveness of sins from Christ (The Absolution.) In John 20:21, after Jesus had risen from the dead, He promised His disciples, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.” We call that promise the Office of the Keys. We come to the service feeling guilty about what we may have done. Christ reaches out to us in a special way through the absolution and forgives our sins through someone that we can see standing in front of us, connecting the words of absolution with his sacrifice on the cross. He knows how human we are, and sometimes we need a God with skin on. After that weight is lifted, we have such joy in our hearts, we sing a Song of Praise or a Song of Forgiveness. This week in the 10:45 service, we will sing a portion of “You are My King.” I'm forgiven Because You were forsaken I'm accepted You were condemned I'm alive and well Your Spirit is within me Because You died And rose again Amazing love How can it be That You my King Would die for me Amazing love I know it's true It's my joy to honor You In all I do I honor You Text: Billy J. Foote Text: © 1996 worshiptogether.com , admin. Capitol CMG Publishing. Used by permission: CCLI no. 11180910 The forgiveness that Jesus offers in the confession and absolution is tied securely to the cross. On that cross, Jesus was forsaken by His Father and condemned to experience eternal suffering and separation from God. Because he was willing to suffer that condemnation on our behalf, we are forgiven our sins instead of suffering the condemnation that we deserve. Now Jesus is alive! He is our risen Christ, showing victory over the grave! How can it be that Jesus, the King of creation, would show such amazing love for us? Jesus died and rose for us, and now it is our joy to honor him in our songs, and in all we do. It's my joy to honor You In all I do I honor You In Christ’s Service,
Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my Mourning into Dancing Ps. 30:11
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With high delight Let us unite In songs of great jubilation. Ye pure in heart, All bear your part, Sing Jesus Christ, our salvation. To set us free Forever, He Is ris’n and sends To all earth’s ends Good news to save ev’ry nation. True God, He first From death has burst Forth into life, all subduing. His enemy Doth vanquished lie; His death has been death’s undoing. “And yours shall be Like victory O’er death and grave,” Saith He, who gave His life for us, life renewing. Let praises ring; Give thanks, and bring To Christ our Lord adoration. His honor speed By word and deed To ev’ry land, ev’ry nation. So shall His love Give us above, From misery And death set free, All joy and full consolation. Text: Georg Vetter, 1536–99; tr. Martin H. Franzmann, 1907–76 Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005066 “With High Delight Let Us Unite” LSB 483 is a hymn full of joy and praise for the salvation won for us by Jesus’ death and resurrection. The sadness of so many weeks of Lent is over. On this Third Sunday of Easter, we continue our celebration. We “unite in songs of great jubilation.” Easter is such an important celebration; it can’t be summed up in just one day. We have 7 weeks to celebrate the season of Easter. In fact, each Sunday in the church year is a little Easter, which is the reason we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday. We sing to “Jesus Christ, our salvation, who has set us free forever.” That salvation makes us “pure in heart.” That good news is for every nation. How will they know unless they hear? He sends us to share that wonderful news! Jesus is true God and has power over death and hell. His death has been death’s undoing. Because of that your death will be victory! “His life for us, life renewing.” Because of what He has won for us, how can we not praise him? How can we not share that? “Let praises ring; Give thanks and bring to Christ our Lord adoration.” We not only praise and thank him here in our safe little church, but we tell our friends, and all people what an amazing Christ has saved us. We share that word to every land, every nation, showing the kind of love for others that Christ has shown to us, and sharing the Word to them that will also set them free from the grave. From misery and death set free, All joy and full consolation. With high delight Let us unite In songs of great jubilation In Christ’s Service, Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my Mourning into Dancing Ps. 30:11 ’Tis good, Lord, to be here! Thy glory fills the night; Thy face and garments, like the sun, Shine with unborrowed light. ’Tis good, Lord, to be here, Thy beauty to behold Where Moses and Elijah stand, Thy messengers of old. (Click below for the rest of the lyrics.) Tis Good Lord to Be Here lyrics.docx Imagine that you are on a mountain with Jesus and His Disciples, and suddenly, Jesus starts shining brighter than anything you have seen before! I can’t imagine what it would be like to be to see Him changed before my eyes. After walking with Him for so long and seeing him as a man who gets hungry and tired, this is quite a change! The hymn “’Tis Good, Lord, to Be Here” that we sing this Sunday, Transfiguration Sunday, allows us to enter into the scene. We are so glad to be with Jesus as He shows who He truly is, shining like the sun with his own glory with unborrowed light. We are so glad to be here with Moses and Elijah. As stated in stanza three, He fulfills the past – Jesus fulfills the law given by Moses as well as the prophets – represented by Elijah. Jesus is the hope for things to be, as promised in Rev. 7:14- All those who have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” have hope of eternal life with Jesus Christ. With Peter, it is so tempting to make this hill our home. ‘Tis good, Lord to be here, but Jesus calls us off the mountaintop into the plain. He follows us into our everyday lives, filling us with His Holy Spirit, teaching us through His Word, and comforting us when we face difficulties. ’Tis good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain; But since Thou bidst us leave the mount, Come with us to the plain. In Christ’s Service, Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my Mourning into Dancing Ps. 30:11 My hymn of praise shall be forever Jesus My firm foundation in shifting sands My strength and hope Through many fears and failures The disappointments of the past His constant love has held me fast So for all my days I will sing my praise To the King forever Jesus Though the storms may rage He is strong to save He’s the King forever Jesus Click link below to read the rest of the lyrics of “Forever Jesus.” Complete lyrics for song Text: Matt Papa | Stuart Townend Text: © 2019 Getty Music Hymns and Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Getty Music Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Love Your Enemies Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.) Messenger Hymns (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.). Used by permission: CCLI no. 11180910 This Sunday in the 10:45 service, we will open with one of our favorites, “Forever Jesus,” by Matt Papa and Stuart Townend, that points us to our Savior, Jesus as our only source of strength. This world is filled with disappointments and things that scare us. We are disappointed by others and our own failures. Where do we turn? Jesus is our firm foundation when everything around us is like shifting sands. His love holds onto us and gives us strength and hope. In Hebrews 13:5, he promises “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” He is the reason we sing praise even through the difficult times in our lives. Jesus is our King forever. We sing with joy “forever Jesus” because He bore the suffering and death as a sacrifice to make a way for us to be His children. The life he earned is such a precious gift, and He has paid the ransom for us to be freed from death and hell. We keep praising Jesus forever, to our final breath. When I meet His gaze, I will sing my praise to the King, “forever Jesus” All my sorrows past, I am home at last With my King, “forever Jesus!” In Christ’s Service,
Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my Mourning into Dancing Ps. 30:11 Leader: Listen, All: listen, God is calling Through the Word inviting, Offering forgiveness, Comfort, and joy. Leader: Jesus gave His mandate: All: Share the good news Leader: That He came to save us All: And set us free. Refrain Leader: Let none be forgotten All: Throughout the world. Leader: In the triune name of God All: Go and baptize. Refrain Leader: Help us to be faithful, All: Standing steadfast, Leader: Walking in Your precepts, All: Led by Your Word. Refrain Text: tr. Howard S. Olson, 1922–2010; Kenyan Text: © Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzania. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005066 This week at St. Paul, as we remember Jonah’s call to Ninevah, we also remember our call to our neighbors and to the world. “Listen God is Calling,” originally written in Swahili “Neno lake Mungo” by an anonymous writer, probably originated in Kenya, but spread all over East Africa. With the people in all corners of the world, we follow God’s mandate to share the good news that Jesus came to save us and set us free. We know that God’s Word invites all to be saved and offers forgiveness of sins, comfort, and joy. How will they know unless they hear? We are called to go throughout the world, share that Word and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In the original Swahili, the chorus literally would read: Leader: The Word, All: God’s Word, is calling you- A word of salvation, and [very]good. And ends with this stanza: Let us all stand, let us all stand. Let us hear the world of salvation. Then, the Lutherans in Tanzania would follow this song with the reading of the Gospel. God’s Holy Gospel, bringing life and salvation to all who believe! Listen, God is Calling! We will sing this hymn during distribution in the 10:45 service this Sunday. Listen to the recording here, to hear singers in Swahili and English. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMFFj_4WR1I In Christ’s Service, Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my Mourning into Dancing Ps. 30:11 Speak, O Lord, Your servant listens, Let Your Word to me come near; Newborn life and spirit give me, Let each promise still my fear. Death’s dread pow’r, its inward strife, Wars against Your Word of life; Fill me, Lord, with love’s strong fervor That I cling to You forever! Oh, what blessing to be near You And to listen to Your voice; Let me ever love and hear You, Let Your Word be now my choice! Many hardened sinners, Lord, Flee in terror at Your Word; But to all who feel sin’s burden You give words of peace and pardon. Lord, Your words are waters living When my thirsting spirit pleads. Lord, Your words are bread life-giving; On Your words my spirit feeds. Lord, Your words will be my light Through death’s cold and dreary night; Yes, they are my sword prevailing And my cup of joy unfailing! As I pray, dear Jesus, hear me; Let Your words in me take root. May Your Spirit e’er be near me That I bear abundant fruit. May I daily sing Your praise, From my heart glad anthems raise, Till my highest praise is given In the endless joy of heaven. Text: Anna Sophia von Hessen-Darmstadt, 1638–83; (sts. 1–3): tr. George A. T. Rygh, 1860–1942, alt.; (st. 4): tr. Christian Worship, 1993 Text: Public domain This tender hymn, “Speak, O Lord, Your Servant Listens” reminds us to listen to Jesus, in his treasured written Word of God. The original German poem written by Anna Sophia von Hessen-Darmstadt has some beautiful language. She asked God to “let Your Holy Word be closed up in my heart, identifying that Word with the faithful teachings that drive away all sorrow. What is the value of God’s Word? It gives newborn life through faith in Jesus Christ, the one true God. It gives peace with God and pardon from sin to all who repent. God’s Word is the living water, giving life to the thirsty soul, spiritual food to the hungry soul, a light to our path, and a sword against the enemy. We pray that God’s Word takes root in our lives so that we may reflect Christ in our lives and sing praise to Christ the incarnate Word forever! In Christ’s Service, Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my Mourning into Dancing Ps. 30:11 In the bleak mid-winter All creation groans For a world in darkness Frozen like a stone Light is breaking In a stable for a throne And He shall reign forevermore forevermore And He shall reign forevermore forevermore Unto us a Child is born The King of kings and Lord of lords And He shall reign forevermore forevermore If I were a wise man I would travel far If I were a shepherd I would do my part But poor as I am I will give to Him my heart And He shall reign forevermore forevermore And He shall reign forevermore forevermore Unto us a Child is born The King of kings and Lord of lords And He shall reign forevermore forevermore Here within a manger lies the One Who made the starry skies This baby born for sacrifice Christ the Messiah Into our hopes into our fears The Savior of the world appears The promise of eternal years Christ the Messiah And He shall reign forevermore forevermore And He shall reign forevermore forevermore And He shall reign forevermore forevermore And He shall reign forevermore forevermore Unto us a Child is born The King of kings and Lord of lords And He shall reign forevermore forevermore Text: Chris Tomlin | Matt Maher Text: © 2016 S. D. G. Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) sixsteps Songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Worship Together Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) Be Essential Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC) I Am A Pilgrim Songs (Admin. by Essential Music Publishing LLC). Used by permission: CCLI no. 11180910 Winter has finally come to Texas. Yes, the 100 + degree heat has now passed. We don’t have the snow of the northern states, but my coat has been out a few times, and frost has been on my car windows. It is chilly! Now, this is Texas, so my grass is still green, and some of the trees still have leaves. For a moment, let’s transport ourselves up north, where there is lots of snow, wind, and frigid temperatures. The trees are bare, the days are very short, and the nights are very long. Can we use the word Bleak? Frozen like a stone? Before Jesus came, our world was like that winter, cold and dark. But Jesus brings light into the dark world. Instead of sitting on a throne, he comes as a baby in a manger. But make no mistake, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. And He shall reign forevermore as the king of our hearts! When we think all is lost in the winter of this dark world, we can remember that the King of Kings is our Father. He is always on the throne.
We can enter into the story and picture ourselves as one of the shepherds offering a lamb, or one of the wisemen traveling such a long way to worship the Christ Child. We aren’t able to do those things. Instead, we serve Him by serving His children and by serving our neighbors. It is such a mystery that the small helpless baby lying in a dirty manger was the “One who made the Starry Skies” and ultimately was born for sacrifice. Jesus Christ was not only the all powerful God, but he emptied himself to be a man and to die for the sins of all mankind. “The Promise of eternal years, Christ the Messiah!” As we sing this powerful song in the 10:45 service, this Sunday, 12/03/23, I invite you to remember that we look forward to Jesus coming into out our frozen, dark world one last time - taking us home where there is no need for a sun, for Jesus is our true light. Amen, Come Lord Jesus! In Christ’s Service Jennifer Rasch St. Paul Lutheran Church Denton, TX Music Director [email protected] He has turned my mourning into dancing Ps30:11 Thy strong word did cleave the darkness; At Thy speaking it was done. For created light we thank Thee, While Thine ordered seasons run. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! Lo, on those who dwelt in darkness, Dark as night and deep as death, Broke the light of Thy salvation, Breathed Thine own life-breathing breath. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous; Bright with Thine own holiness, Glorious now, we press toward glory, And our lives our hopes confess. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! From the cross Thy wisdom shining Breaketh forth in conqu’ring might; From the cross forever beameth All Thy bright redeeming light. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise to Thee who light dost send! Alleluia, alleluia! Alleluia without end! Give us lips to sing Thy glory, Tongues Thy mercy to proclaim, Throats that shout the hope that fills us, Mouths to speak Thy holy name. Alleluia, alleluia! May the light which Thou dost send Fill our songs with alleluias, Alleluias without end! God the Father, light-creator, To Thee laud and honor be. To Thee, Light of Light begotten, Praise be sung eternally. Holy Spirit, light-revealer, Glory, glory be to Thee. Mortals, angels, now and ever Praise the holy Trinity! Text: Martin H. Franzmann, 1907–76
Text: © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005066 Light is such a rich figure of speech found in the Scriptures, pointing to Jesus the light of the world. “Thy Strong Word,” uses this image throughout the text, comparing His word to the light. On October 7, 1954 Martin Franzmann’s new hymn was first sung as a procession for the St. Louis Seminary Commencement, based upon the seminary’s motto, “Light from Above” (Matthew 4:16.) It was sung as a processional hymn at seminary commencement exercises every year from 1955-1997. Verses 3 and 6 were added in 1959 because the hymn wasn’t long enough for a commencement processional. In the first stanza, the light breaks the physical darkness as God creates the world with the spoken word. In stanza 2 and 3, the light, Jesus, the light of the world, sees us in our sin and gives us life through His holiness. I love the image in stanza 4. Light is shining from the cross. It is shining God’s wisdom – God’s redemption. We are all in darkness, without hope in a dark world, and the cross brings light to us, bringing the only way to heaven. Stanza 5 reminds us that even singing praise to Christ from the heart is only done by the Holy Spirit. He fills our tongues with that light, sharing it with others. This Sunday, as we celebrate Reformation and sing a powerful arrangement of “Thy Strong Word” with the Choir and brass (arranged by Carl Schalk), we praise God for His living Word that draws us to Himself. We Praise Jesus Christ for shining in the darkness. Praise the Holy Trinity! In Christ’s Service, Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church You have turned my mourning to dancing Ps 30:11 Berger, David Lutheran Service Book Companion to the Hymns Vol 1, CPH “Serve the Lord with gladness!” It is He alone Who redeemed us sinners, Guides us as His own To enjoy the blessings Of His love and grace, Will at last in glory Meet us face to face. Onward, then, for Jesus! Let this be our aim: “Serve the Lord with gladness!” Glorify His name. “Serve the Lord with gladness!” He gave us command To proclaim His Gospel Now in every land So that fellow sinners May, like us, be blest. Leading them to Jesus, We can serve Him best. Onward, then, for Jesus! Let this be our aim: “Serve the Lord with gladness!” Glorify His name! “Serve the Lord with gladness!” There’s no greater joy Than to serve the Master, Work in His employ. As we build His kingdom Angels, too, rejoice Over every sinner Brought to hear His voice. Onward, then, for Jesus! Let this be our aim: “Serve the Lord with gladness!” Glorify His name! Tune: 662 LSB, 518 LW, 658 TLH Prof. Ernest Lewerenz This week at St. Paul Lutheran Church, we celebrate LWML (Lutheran Woman’s Missionary League) Sunday, celebrating women in mission here in the US and around the world. We are a part of a global network of Lutheran women who serve the Lord with gladness, and this hymn, sung to the tune of “Onward Christian Soldiers,” is our theme song. Although it is a song for women, it can easily be sung by all Christians who are ready to praise the Lord and serve Him in their daily lives.
Just as Psalm 100: 2 calls us to “Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing,” Prof. Lewerenz reminds us in this hymn to serve, not in drudgery, but with a joyful spirit not because of how great we are, but because He has “redeemed us sinners and guides us as his own.” He generously gives his children love and grace, and someday we will meet him face to face in Heaven. Jesus gave the command to proclaim the Gospel in every land so that other sinners may also be blessed. We share that Gospel in our words, in our actions, and in our mission support, partly in LWML mites. There is no greater joy than to serve the Master, building His kingdom. We can do so many things that seem to bring us happiness, but God brings us true lasting joy when we are working with Him in His kingdom. I have this picture in my head of a little boy walking along with his Daddy, pulling and tugging so hard on a heavy bucket of water. His Daddy is carrying the water, and the little boy is enjoying helping his Dad. When we work in the kingdom, God is doing the work. He is carrying the bucket. We can’t take the credit, but God has invited us to serve with him. We have true joy in serving with him. Serve the Lord with gladness! In Christ’s Service, Jennifer Rasch Music Director St. Paul Lutheran Church He has turned my mourning into dancing Ps 30:11 In the darkness we were waiting Without hope without light Till from Heaven You came running There was mercy in Your eyes To fulfil the law and prophets To a virgin came the Word From a throne of endless glory To a cradle in the dirt Praise the Father Praise the Son Praise the Spirit three in one God of Glory Majesty Praise forever to the King of kings To reveal the kingdom coming And to reconcile the lost To redeem the whole creation You did not despise the cross For even in Your suffering You saw to the other side Knowing this was our salvation Jesus for our sake You died Praise the Father Praise the Son Praise the Spirit three in one God of Glory Majesty Praise forever to the King of kings And the morning that You rose All of heaven held its breath Till that stone was moved for good For the Lamb had conquered death And the dead rose from their tombs And the angels stood in awe For the souls of all who'd come To the Father are restored And the Church of Christ was born Then the Spirit lit the flame Now this Gospel truth of old Shall not kneel shall not faint By His blood and in His Name In His freedom I am free For the love of Jesus Christ Who has resurrected me Praise th Father Praise the Son Praise the Spirit three in one God of Glory Majesty Praise forever to the King of kings Praise forever to the King of kings Text: Brooke Ligertwood, Jason Ingram, Scott Ligertwood
Text: © 2019 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia; Fellow Ships Music; So Essential Tunes. Used by permission: CCLI no. 11180910 Worship Leader Brook Ligertwood, along with her husband, Scott Ligertwood, and Jason Ingram wrote this meaningful song “King of Kings” that we will sing September 24, going through Jesus birth as a baby, his sacrifice on the cross, resurrection, and the birth of the church on Pentecost. Quoting Ligertwood, “It is deeply rooted in scripture and packed full of theology….We hope and we pray that the song articulates the heart of the Gospel and the story of the church…and then placing ourselves within that story with the birth of the Church and our salvation stories.” She paints a picture of our brokenness without Christ, waiting for Him in the dark without hope. We don’t have our own inner light. Instead, we wait for His light. Such a beautiful picture, the eyes of Jesus showing mercy as he runs to us from heaven, fulfilling the law and fulfilling the promises spoken over and over by the prophets. He gave up his throne of endless glory to a human form, and a cradle- a manger- in the dirt. He reconciled himself to us on the cross, saving us even though he had the power to walk away from it all. In the morning, when he rose, “All of heaven held its breath” … “for the Lamb had conquered death.” And because of this, all who trust in Jesus were restored to the Father. When the Spirit was poured out, the Church of Christ was born. More and more people boldly were telling the great news of Jesus’ Resurrection who also resurrects us. Praise the Gather, Praise the Son, Praise the Spirit three in one! God of Glory Majesty. Praise forever to the King of Kings! In Christ’s Service Jennifer Rasch St. Paul Lutheran Church Denton, TX Music Director [email protected] He has turned my mourning into dancing Ps30:11 https://www.songfacts.com/facts/hillsong-worship/king-of-kings |
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