thanksgiving eve vespers
THANKSGIVING EVE VESPERS 23 November 2016
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH (Missouri Synod) Pastor Gerhard Grabenhofer Organist: Marianne Grabenhofer 71 W. First St. Corning, NY Phone: 962-4970 [email protected]
www.faithlutherancorning.org
Thus God gives me bread and water, not in order that I may eat and drink like a horse or a mule, which have no understanding (Ps. 32.9), but that from this physical gift I may gain a knowledge of God and may encourage and comfort myself with it in other needs too. (Luther, AE, 3, 149) Pre-service Prayers
(Hymnal pp. 4; 102-109; 118; 170)
[The congregation stands to face the processional crucifix at it enters]
P: In the Name of the Father and of the Son () and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Confession And Absolution P: Dearly beloved! We have come together in the presence of God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hand, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His holy Word, and to ask for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and salvation. O come, let us worship Him! Let us kneel and bow down before Him. Let us confess our sins with penitent hearts, and obtain forgiveness by His infinite grace and mercy. C: Almighty and most merciful Father, I have strayed from Your ways like a lost sheep. I have followed the devices and desires of my heart. I have offended against Your holy law. I have done those things which I should not have done, and I have not done those things which I should have done. Have mercy on me, O Lord! Spare and restore me, according to the promises You have declared to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. For His sake grant that I may live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Your holy name. P: Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the () Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Hymn #572 Praise to God, Immortal Praise
Opening Versicles: P: O Lord, open my lips. C: And my mouth shall declare Your praise. P: Hasten to save me, O God. C: O Lord, come quickly to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Psalmody: (Ps. 30.4; Ps. 147.1, 3, 5, 7, 11) P: Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. C: Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. P: He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. C: Great is the Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. P: Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God. C: The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Lessons—1 Thessalonians 5. 16-24 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Response: P: The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. C: You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. P: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Alleluia! Alleluia! C: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Alleluia! (Ps. 145.15-16; Ps. 103. 1-2; Ps. 106.1) Luke 12. 13-21 Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life
does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” P: O Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Thanks be to You, O Lord. Sermon— 1 Timothy 6.17-19: As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. Everyday Lives Of Thanksgiving 1. Putting trust in God 2. Living generously [Silence for meditation] Hymn #568 We Praise Thee, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator Offering Stewardship Thought---Deuteronomy 8:7 “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land. . .” Have we received any less than the children of Israel in this great and glorious land? We are so very blessed! Let us then outdo even the children of Israel in giving thanks! P: Let my prayers be set before You as incense, C: The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. BENEDICITE OMNIA OPERA [The Song of the Three Children] Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you heavens: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all waters above the heaven:
sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all powers: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, sun and moon, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, stars of heaven: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all rain and dew: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all winds: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, fire and heat: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, dews and snows: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, nights and days: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, light and darkness: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Let the earth bless the Lord: let it sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, mountains and hills: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all things that grow on the earth: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, seas and rivers: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you springs: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you whales and all creatures that move in the waters: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all birds of the air: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all beasts and cattle: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you sons of men: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, O Israel: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever.
Bless the Lord, you priests: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you servants: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: let us praise him and exalt Him forever. THE PRAYERS— The Litany of Thanksgiving: P: Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Christ, have mercy upon us. P: Lord, have mercy upon us. P: O God the Father in heaven; O God the Son, Redeemer of the world; O God the Holy Spirit; O Holy Trinity, one God: C: Have mercy upon us. P: O God, You use Your power, wisdom, and love for our benefit; every moment You bestow new blessing upon us; You have not withdrawn Your bounteous hand from us though we have sinned against You: C: Have mercy upon us. P: We thank You, O Lord because You made us in Your image; because You raised us up to an aim and end beyond this life; because You have given us life and immortality; because You have made us able to know You, love You, and praise You; because You have given so many creatures for our service; because You have kept and nourished us until now in Your Fatherly goodness; because You have redeemed us from the captivity of hell by the Suffering of Your dear Son; because You have made us members of Your holy Church; because You have given us the holy sacraments for our salvation; because You have not rejected or condemned us for so many past sins; because You have saved us from innumerable sins of soul and body: C: We thank You, O Lord. P: For Your Fatherly correction and chastisement; for all Your gifts and blessings which we have never yet fully known; for all Your gifts and blessings which we have so often sinfully misused; for all Your gifts and blessings You have bestowed on our relatives, benefactors, and friends; for all Your gifts and blessings which You have bestowed on all the family of humankind; in union with the thanksgivings which the Church on earth and the Church Triumphant in heaven pays You: C: We thank You, O Lord. P: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world: C: Have mercy upon us. P: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world:
C: Have mercy upon us. P: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world: C: Grant us Your peace. P: Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Christ, have mercy upon us. P: Lord, have mercy upon us. All: 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 P: O Lord, hear my prayer. C: And let my cry come to You. P: Almighty God, Your mercies are new every morning and Your goodness, though we in no way deserve it, still abundantly provides for all our wants of body and soul. Grant us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit so that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen. P: Stir up, we beseech You, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people that they, richly bringing forth the fruit of good works, may be richly rewarded by You in grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen P: Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, and in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your holy Word and Sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity. Amen.
P: Let us bless the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ () and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: Amen. Hymn #36 Now Thank We All Our God [The congregation faces the processional crucifix as it leaves]
Silent Prayer
Tell the Good News About Jesus THOSE WHO ARE READING GOD GRANT IT, please be sure to read the devotion for Thanksgiving Day on page 918.
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH (Missouri Synod) Pastor Gerhard Grabenhofer Organist: Marianne Grabenhofer 71 W. First St. Corning, NY Phone: 962-4970 [email protected]
www.faithlutherancorning.org
Thus God gives me bread and water, not in order that I may eat and drink like a horse or a mule, which have no understanding (Ps. 32.9), but that from this physical gift I may gain a knowledge of God and may encourage and comfort myself with it in other needs too. (Luther, AE, 3, 149) Pre-service Prayers
(Hymnal pp. 4; 102-109; 118; 170)
[The congregation stands to face the processional crucifix at it enters]
P: In the Name of the Father and of the Son () and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Confession And Absolution P: Dearly beloved! We have come together in the presence of God our heavenly Father, to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hand, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His holy Word, and to ask for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and salvation. O come, let us worship Him! Let us kneel and bow down before Him. Let us confess our sins with penitent hearts, and obtain forgiveness by His infinite grace and mercy. C: Almighty and most merciful Father, I have strayed from Your ways like a lost sheep. I have followed the devices and desires of my heart. I have offended against Your holy law. I have done those things which I should not have done, and I have not done those things which I should have done. Have mercy on me, O Lord! Spare and restore me, according to the promises You have declared to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. For His sake grant that I may live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of Your holy name. P: Upon this your confession, I, by virtue of my office, as a called and ordained servant of the Word, announce the grace of God unto you, and in the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the () Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. Hymn #572 Praise to God, Immortal Praise
Opening Versicles: P: O Lord, open my lips. C: And my mouth shall declare Your praise. P: Hasten to save me, O God. C: O Lord, come quickly to help me. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Psalmody: (Ps. 30.4; Ps. 147.1, 3, 5, 7, 11) P: Sing praise to the Lord, You saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. C: Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful. P: He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. C: Great is the Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. P: Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God. C: The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be world without end. Amen. Lessons—1 Thessalonians 5. 16-24 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. Response: P: The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. C: You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. P: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Alleluia! Alleluia! C: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Alleluia! (Ps. 145.15-16; Ps. 103. 1-2; Ps. 106.1) Luke 12. 13-21 Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life
does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” P: O Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Thanks be to You, O Lord. Sermon— 1 Timothy 6.17-19: As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. Everyday Lives Of Thanksgiving 1. Putting trust in God 2. Living generously [Silence for meditation] Hymn #568 We Praise Thee, O God, Our Redeemer, Creator Offering Stewardship Thought---Deuteronomy 8:7 “For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land. . .” Have we received any less than the children of Israel in this great and glorious land? We are so very blessed! Let us then outdo even the children of Israel in giving thanks! P: Let my prayers be set before You as incense, C: The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. BENEDICITE OMNIA OPERA [The Song of the Three Children] Bless the Lord, all works of the Lord: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you heavens: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you angels of the Lord: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all waters above the heaven:
sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all powers: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, sun and moon, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, stars of heaven: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all rain and dew: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all winds: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, fire and heat: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, winter cold and summer heat: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, dews and snows: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, nights and days: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, light and darkness: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, lightnings and clouds: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Let the earth bless the Lord: let it sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, mountains and hills: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all things that grow on the earth: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, seas and rivers: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you springs: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you whales and all creatures that move in the waters: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all birds of the air: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, all beasts and cattle: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you sons of men: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, O Israel: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever.
Bless the Lord, you priests: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you servants: sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, spirits and souls of the righteous, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Bless the Lord, you who are holy and humble in heart, sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. Let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: let us praise him and exalt Him forever. THE PRAYERS— The Litany of Thanksgiving: P: Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Christ, have mercy upon us. P: Lord, have mercy upon us. P: O God the Father in heaven; O God the Son, Redeemer of the world; O God the Holy Spirit; O Holy Trinity, one God: C: Have mercy upon us. P: O God, You use Your power, wisdom, and love for our benefit; every moment You bestow new blessing upon us; You have not withdrawn Your bounteous hand from us though we have sinned against You: C: Have mercy upon us. P: We thank You, O Lord because You made us in Your image; because You raised us up to an aim and end beyond this life; because You have given us life and immortality; because You have made us able to know You, love You, and praise You; because You have given so many creatures for our service; because You have kept and nourished us until now in Your Fatherly goodness; because You have redeemed us from the captivity of hell by the Suffering of Your dear Son; because You have made us members of Your holy Church; because You have given us the holy sacraments for our salvation; because You have not rejected or condemned us for so many past sins; because You have saved us from innumerable sins of soul and body: C: We thank You, O Lord. P: For Your Fatherly correction and chastisement; for all Your gifts and blessings which we have never yet fully known; for all Your gifts and blessings which we have so often sinfully misused; for all Your gifts and blessings You have bestowed on our relatives, benefactors, and friends; for all Your gifts and blessings which You have bestowed on all the family of humankind; in union with the thanksgivings which the Church on earth and the Church Triumphant in heaven pays You: C: We thank You, O Lord. P: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world: C: Have mercy upon us. P: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world:
C: Have mercy upon us. P: O Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world: C: Grant us Your peace. P: Lord, have mercy upon us. C: Christ, have mercy upon us. P: Lord, have mercy upon us. All: 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 P: O Lord, hear my prayer. C: And let my cry come to You. P: Almighty God, Your mercies are new every morning and Your goodness, though we in no way deserve it, still abundantly provides for all our wants of body and soul. Grant us, we humbly pray, Your Holy Spirit so that we may heartily acknowledge Your merciful goodness toward us, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen. P: Stir up, we beseech You, O Lord, the wills of Your faithful people that they, richly bringing forth the fruit of good works, may be richly rewarded by You in grace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. Amen P: Abide with us, Lord, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. Abide with us and with Your whole Church. Abide with us in the end of the day, in the end of our life, and in the end of the world. Abide with us with Your grace and goodness, with Your holy Word and Sacrament, with Your strength and blessing. Abide with us when the night of affliction and temptation comes upon us, the night of fear and despair when death shall come. Abide with us and with all the faithful through time and eternity. Amen.
P: Let us bless the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ () and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. C: Amen. Hymn #36 Now Thank We All Our God [The congregation faces the processional crucifix as it leaves]
Silent Prayer
Tell the Good News About Jesus THOSE WHO ARE READING GOD GRANT IT, please be sure to read the devotion for Thanksgiving Day on page 918.
