Chapel Worship Guide for Sunday 9 AM—March 10, 2013
The Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Prelude

Welcome—Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song:

Scripture Reading (Old Testament): Isaiah 6:8-13
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”

And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

9 He said, “Go and tell this people:

“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
10 Make the heart of this people calloused;
make their ears dull
and close their eyes.[a]
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”

11 Then I said, “For how long, Lord?”

And he answered:

“Until the cities lie ruined
and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted
and the fields ruined and ravaged,
12 until the Lord has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.
13 And though a tenth remains in the land,
it will again be laid waste.
But as the terebinth and oak
leave stumps when they are cut down,
so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”

Prayer

Scripture Reading (New Testament): Matthew 13:1-30
The Parable of the Sower

13 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 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a]

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

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 their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

The Parable of the Weeds

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

Message: “Why Parables?” by Barbara Shafer

Song of Response:

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, March 3, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

This week’s worship service is brought to you by The First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville

Piano Prelude (Leann Malecha)

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Opening Prayer (Dan Brame)

Hymn: “We Walk by Faith” (LeAnn Malecha)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:9-15 (Dan Brame)  9 He left that place and entered their synagogue; 10 a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, ‘Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath?’ so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.’ 13 Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. 15 When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many crowds followed him, and he cured all of them (NRSV)

Hymn 137: “What Wondrous Love” (LeAnn Malecha)

Meditation (Gary Holland)

Pastoral Prayer (Dan Brame)

Hymn 67: “Fairest Lord Jesus” (LeAnn Malecha)

Benediction (Gary Holland)

Piano Postlude (LeAnn Malecha)

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, February 24, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 84:1 For the director of music. According to gittith. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young– a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Selah 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. 8 Hear my prayer, O LORD God Almighty; listen to me, O God of Jacob. Selah 9 Look upon our shield, O God; look with favor on your anointed one. 10 Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. 12 O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you. (NIV)

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

Prayer

Sermon:  “God is Not My Co-Pilot” by Barbara Shafer

Song of Response

Benediction 

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, February 17, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song – 

O Worship the King, (Hymn 21 verses 1 and 4) 

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Hymn 25 verses 1 and 4) 

Are Ye Able, Said the Master (Hymn 383)

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 86:1 A Prayer of David. Incline Thine ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy. 2 Do preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O Thou my God, save Thy servant who trusts in Thee. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, For to Thee I cry all day long. 4 Make glad the soul of Thy servant, For to Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon Thee. 6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And give heed to the voice of my supplications! 7 In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee, For Thou wilt answer me. (NASB)

Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9 “Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10 “Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! 12 “Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. 14 “For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it. (NASB)

Prayer

Sermon:  Bill Slater, Christ Church Lake Forest, Bill Slater Ministries

Closing Hymn:  I have Decided to Follow Jesus (Hymn 451)

Benediction

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, February 10, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Welcome from Libertyville Covenant Church

Call to Worship:  Great is the Lord-  exalted among the nations.  Mighty is the Lord-  King of heaven and earth.  Holy is the Lord-  beyond our understanding.  Let us worship our God and King!

Song of Praise:  “We Will Glorify”

Opening Prayer

Hymn:  “O Worship the King”

Confession of Sin

Assurance of Pardon

Song of Response: “I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light”

Prayers of the People  (respond to “let us pray to the Lord” with “Lord, hear our prayer”)

Choral Response:  “Our Father” (Durufle)

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture:  Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV) Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Sermon:  “Real Treasures”  (Paul Nauman)

Closing Hymn:  “Take My Life and Let it Be”

Closing Prayer

Choral Benediction:  “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” (Grier/Everson)

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, February 3, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song

Prayer

Scripture Reading (NIV):  Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” 9 You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor?

Matthew 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Sermon: “The Long View Beatitudes”—by Barbara Shafer

Today’s passage shows us that God knows our individual situations, is aware of our sufferings, but then He reveals His greater blessing in the long view of the Kingdom.   The Beatitudes encourage us to take the long view in light of near term suffering and sadness.  If in physical therapy we can adopt the idea of “No pain, no gain,” then why would our spiritual therapy and recovery be different?  Invest in Jesus now by persevering in faith.  Then you will have a spiritual nest egg already prepared– reward in the Kingdom of heaven!  Seeds sown today will be what will be our harvest in eternity.  Jesus calls us to consider the Kingdom and to take the long view and bear fruit that will last forever.

Song of Response:  Through it All

Benediction

There is, perhaps, no more appropriate time than today to reclaim the foundations of the Christian faith. 

American culture is rapidly degenerating–it has become “post-Christian” in just about every regard.  An increasing population knows very little about the Gospel or whether it is, in fact, Good News at all.

* * *

Jesus seems irrelevant to the day at hand for far too many, but nothing could be farther from the truth!

* * *

Why is a clear understanding of the Gospel important?

This is what Paul explores in The Letter to the Romans. 

What applied to Rome then, applies to us today–perhaps moreso.

We’ve lost our way in the forest of feelings and have thrown away the compass of holiness in an effort to be accepted by others.  We’ve become acculturated—even in the church–contorting and conforming ourselves to a secular mindset.  The church is presently failing to be the holy institution God designed it to be.

In light of these things, Lent 2013 is a welcome time to revisit and remember what the Bible says.  What is the Gospel?  Why is it “Good News?”

The message of The Letter to the Romans is the Gospel and that it why it is Paul’s masterpiece—relevant for today—timeless in its importance.  Join me this Lent for devotionals on The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece.  The 40 day devotional series begins Ash Wednesday and continues (Monday through Saturday) until Easter.

For those of you who signed up on Facebook SeminaryGal or used the space provided on the Home Page side bar, thank you!  I look forward to journeying together during Lent.

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Lent 2013’s series The Letter to the Romans: Paul’s Masterpiece sought to reclaim foundations of our Christian heritage .  All 2013 devotionals can be accessed through the archives beginning February 13, 2013. 

This year’s series can be viewed here.  http://seminarygal.com/announcing-2017-lent-devotionals-light-theres-nothing-like-it/

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, January 27, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song

Prayer

Scripture Reading (NIV):  Isaiah 9:1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan– 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Matthew 4:12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali– 14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles– 16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. 23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Sermon: “Come and Follow”—by Barbara Shafer

Today’s passage shows 4 characteristics of the call to discipleship:

1. God takes the initiative
2. God issues the invitation
3. God outlines the responsibilities
4. We respond

Song of Response

Choral Benediction

Service Order for 9:00 AM Sunday, January 20, 2013

Nemmers Family Chapel at Advocate Condell

Welcome–Barbara Shafer, Christ Church Highland Park

Worship in Song

Prayer– Bill Slater, http://billslaterministries.wordpress.com/

Scripture Reading (NIV):

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. 5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling– even the LORD, who is my refuge– 10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. 11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. 14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” 7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him

Sermon: “The Temptation of Jesus Christ”—by Bill Slater

Songs of Response:

Benediction – Bill Slater