Christ Church

The Divine Service

of the Lord Jesus Christ
Seventh Sunday After Epiphany
February 20, 2011

Salutation
The Lord be with you! 2 Timothy 4.22
And also with you!
Welcome & Announcements
Preparation for Worship (silently pray the following collect to prepare for worship)
O God, the strength of all who put their trust in You, mercifully grant that by Your power we may
be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
<STAND when the pianist stops playing>

I. The Lord Gathers Us for Worship

Invocation & Entrance

<STAND>
We are gathered in the name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Amen! Matthew 18.20; 28.19

I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord!”
Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Psalm 122.1-2

Our help is in the name of the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth! Psalm 124.8

Hymn of Procession (on following page)

Note: The congregation says all bold words and sings all printed songs.

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 II. The Lord Cleanses Us from Sin
Dearly beloved in Christ, the Scriptures teach us that if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1.9

Kyrie Eleison ~ Lord Have Mercy Psalm 51.1; 123.3; Matthew 17.15; 20.30-31

Confession of Sin
Come, let us worship and bow down. Psalm 95.6
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker! <KNEEL>
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by
what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole
hearts, and we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry, and we humbly
repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may
delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. <REMAIN KNEELING>

Absolution ~ Gospel proclamation of forgiveness in Christ <STAND>

By virtue of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, you are fully and freely forgiven of all
your sins. Believe this and know that you are at peace with God!
Thanks be to God!
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 III. The Lord Raises Us Up to Heaven and Seats Us With Christ
Sursum Corda ~ Lift Up Your Hearts Ephesians 2.6; Colossians 3.1

Lift up your hearts!

We lift them up to the Lord!
Prayer of Ascent to Heaven Traditionally called the Preface (to the Sanctus).
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God!
It is good and right to do so!
It is very good and right that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to you, O Holy Lord,
Father Almighty. In the mystery of the Word made flesh, you have caused light to shine in our hearts, to
give us the knowledge of your glory in the face of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, with the
angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we magnify your
glorious name, evermore praising you and singing:
Sanctus ~ Holy

O Lord, open our lips,

and our mouths will declare your praise! Psalm 51.15

Hymn of Ascent (on following page)

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Prayer of Illumination
Guide us, O God, by your Word and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find
freedom, and in your will discover peace, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. <BE SEATED>
Scripture Lesson Romans 2.1-16 (text printed on back page)
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Psalm Psalm 119.9-16
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How can a young man keep his way pure? With my lips I declare all the rules of your
By guarding it according to your word. mouth.
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With my whole heart I seek you; In the way of your testimonies I delight as
let me not wander from your commandments! much as in all riches.
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I have stored up your word in my heart, I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes
that I might not sin against you. on your ways.
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Blessed are you, O LORD; I will delight in your statutes; I will not
teach me your statutes! forget your word.

Alleluia ~ Praise the Lord Psalms 146-150

Gospel Lesson (and primary sermon text) Matthew 11.1-19 (text printed on back page)

This is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Praise be to you, O Christ!

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Profession of Faith Nicene Creed
Christian, in whom do you trust?
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things
visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father
before all worlds:
God of God,
Light of Light,
very God of very God;
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by Whom all things were made;
Who, for us men and for our salvation,
came down from heaven,
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary,
and was made man,
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate;
He suffered and was buried;
and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and sits on the right hand of the Father;
and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead;
Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified,
Who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
And I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen!
Gloria Patri ~ Glory to the Father

Pre-sermon Prayer
May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, Lord Jesus
Christ, our Rock, and our Kinsman Redeemer. Psalm 19.14
Amen. <BE SEATED>
Sermon Pastor Jeremy Sexton

Post-sermon Blessing
May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Amen. Philippians 4.7

Offertory Hymn (on following page)

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Offertory Response & Prayer
What gifts have you brought for your Lord?
We give only what the Lord has first given to us. We offer ourselves in Christ through
confession, praise, and thanksgiving; we give our prayers and alms for the sake of the world;
and we participate in the Lord’s Supper as a memorial of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen!
Father, receive now these gifts offered to you in and through the Lord Jesus Christ, as we return to you a
portion of that which you have freely given us. Use these tithes and offerings to support the work of the
church, to care for the poor and needy, to promote the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth, and
to build up your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen! <STAND>
Kingdom Prayer
God the Father in heaven,
be gracious to us and hear us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
have mercy on us and help us.
God the Holy Spirit, Giver of life,
bless us for Jesus’ sake.
From all sin, from all error, from all evil; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from sudden and evil
death; from deadly disease and famine; from war and bloodshed; from sedition and rebellion; from
lightning and storms; from calamity by fire and water; and from everlasting death;
deliver us, good Lord.
By the mystery of Your holy incarnation; by Your holy birth; by Your baptism, fasting, and temptation;
by Your agony and bloody sweat; by Your cross and passion; by Your precious death and burial; by
Your glorious resurrection and ascension; and by the coming of your Holy Spirit, the Comforter;
help us, good Lord.
In all our tribulation; in all our prosperity; in the hour of death; and in the day of judgment;
help us, good Lord.
To rule and govern Your holy Christian Church; to preserve all pastors and ministers of Your Church in
the true knowledge and understanding of Your wholesome Word and to sustain them in holy living; to
put an end to all divisions and causes of offense; to bring into the way of truth all who have erred and
are deceived; to beat down Satan under our feet; to send faithful laborers into Your harvest; and to
accompany Your Word with Your grace and Spirit;
hear our prayers, good Lord.
To raise those who fall and to strengthen those who stand; and to comfort and help the weakhearted and
the distressed;
hear our prayers, good Lord.
To give to all peoples unity and peace; to preserve our land from discord and strife; to give our
country Your protection in every time of need; to direct and defend our nation and all in authority over
us; to bless and protect our magistrates and all our people; to watch over and help all who are in danger,
necessity, and tribulation; to protect and guide all who travel; to grant every woman with child, and all
mothers with infant children, increasing happiness in their blessings; to defend all orphans and widows
and provide for them; to strengthen and keep all sick persons and young children; to free those in
bondage; and to have mercy on us all;
hear our prayer, good Lord.
To forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts; to give and preserve for our
use the kindly fruits of the earth; and graciously to hear our prayers;
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be gracious to us and answer our prayer.
Now, O God, hear the very words Jesus taught us to pray:
<RAISE HANDS> 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
debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,
for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6.9-13

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 IV. The LORD Feeds Us Holy Food at His Royal Table
Trinitarian Blessing 2 Corinthians 13.14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with
you all.
Holy things for holy people!
The gifts of God for the people of God!
Pax Domini ~ The Peace of the Lord John 20.19

The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And with your spirit.
Eucharistic Prayer ~ Prayer of Thanksgiving
We thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for your mighty works, which reveal your wisdom and love.
You formed us in your own image, and you gave the whole world into our care, so that, in faithfulness
to you, we might rule and serve all your creatures. When our unbelief and disobedience took us far from
you, You did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in
seeking you we might find you. Again and again you called us into covenant with you, and through the
prophets you called us to repent and to hope for salvation. We thank you, Father, that you loved the
world so much that in the fullness of time, you sent your Son to be our Savior. He lived as one of us, yet
with unwavering faith and without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to
prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose, he humbled himself in obedience to
death, and rose from the grave to destroy death, and to make the whole creation new. We thank you,
Father, for sending the Holy Spirit, who grants us repentance and gives us new life in Christ by faith,
that we might no longer live for ourselves, but for him who died and rose for us.
Dying he destroyed our death, rising he restored our life. Lord Jesus, come again in glory! Amen.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34.8

Christ our Passover Lamb has been sacrificed for us.

Therefore, let us keep the feast! 1 Corinthians 5.8

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Agnus Dei ~ Lamb of God John 1.29

<BE SEATED>

In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord,

we at Christ Church welcome to the Lord’s Table
all who are spiritually weak and seek rest;
all who mourn and long for comfort;
all who struggle and desire victory;
all who sin and need the Savior;
all who are strangers and want fellowship;
all who hunger and thirst for righteousness;
all who are poor in spirit and desire the riches of the gospel;
all who come to Jesus Christ in living faith and repentance,
looking to him as both Liberator and Lord.
And, of course, we welcome all baptized children,
no matter how young, to the Lord’s Table.

Communion: Bread <Sing stanzas 1-2 on the following page as the bread is passed>
Communion: Wine <Sing stanza 3 on the following page as the wine is passed>
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May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you steadfast in true faith
unto life everlasting. Amen!
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Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, 1 Chronicles 16.34; Psalm 106.1; 107.1; 118.1; 118.29; 136.1
for his love endures forever! <STAND>

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 V. The LORD Sends Us Back Into the World
Post-Communion Prayer Adapted from the post-Communion prayer in Martin Bucer’s reformed Strasbourg Liturgy
Let us continue in prayer together:
Almighty and gracious heavenly Father, we give You praise and thanks that through Your holy
Gospel and Sacrament, You have again offered and presented to us Your most precious treasure:
the true Bread of Heaven and Food of eternal life, Our Lord Jesus Christ. And we heartily ask You
to grant that we may receive Him and partake of Him in true faith, now and forever, and be so
nourished by His Flesh and Blood that we may be set free from all evil, and increase daily in all
goodness, to Your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Great Commission Matthew 28.18-20
Jesus declares, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and disciple all the nations
by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, by teaching them to observe all
that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Amen!
Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered!
Let those who hate Him flee before Him! Psalm 68.1

Nunc Dimittis ~ Now Dismiss [Your Servant] Luke 2.29-32

“Song of Simeon”

Benediction ~ Blessing Numbers 6.24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace;
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

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Romans 2.1-16
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Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you
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condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly
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falls on those who do such things. Do you suppose, O man- you who judge those who do such things and yet do
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them yourself- that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and
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forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your
hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment
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will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for
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glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth,
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but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being
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who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew
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first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish
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without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law
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who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. For when Gentiles, who do not have the
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law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They
show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting
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thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by
Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11.1-19
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When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
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Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you
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the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear
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and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are
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raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me." As
they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to
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see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those
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who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more
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than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, "' Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare
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your way before you.' Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the
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Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until
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now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law
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prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let
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him hear. "But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to
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their playmates, "'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.' For
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John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking,
and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by
her deeds."

If you are a visitor of Christ Church, we are grateful that you have joined us in our highest privilege, worshipping the Triune God. We hope
you stay and eat with us after the service so that we can get to know you better. If you would like to talk with Pastor Sexton throughout the
week, feel free to call him at 770.696.7521 or email him at sexton555@gmail.com. You can visit our website at ChristChurch-Atl.com.