Salem’ s 110th Anniversary Rev. James R. Sonnemann On 12 September, 1999, Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church on Milwaukee’s lower east side celebrated its 110th. Anniversary service. The theme, to reflect Salem’s changing neighborhood and changing ministry serving the still-sinful people with the unchanging truths of God’s Word, was “Listen! The LORD is Calling to the City,” from Micah’s prophecy. Rev. Jon Hartmann from Garden Homes Lutheran Church preached the sermon. LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! WELCOME! How a congregation understands its past and its future under God becomes evident on an occasion like this 110th. anniversary celebration. Some celebrations reflect a longing for the past and a disdain or a sense of despair for the future. Some celebrations embrace the opportunities the future holds but discount the heritage of the past, which actually brought things to their status in the present. But what is the godly way? It seems that, to celebrate the past is to be thankful for God’s countless blessings. To celebrate the future is to express confidence in God on the basis of the past experience of his faithfulness to his promises. Let us remember the past, not nostalgically, but as a pledge of God’s presence and faithfulness in the unknown future. A poster in our dining room summarizes the proper reflection on past and future: “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future!” Today’s theme, LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! (Micah 6:9), invites us to consider how our community has become what it is today and what opportunities for soul saving Gospel ministry God thus presents to us. Happy Anniversary! Invocation HYMN–#570: “O Christians, Haste” (Unless otherwise noted, all hymns are from Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal published by Northwestern Publishing House) Approach to God-Confession of Sin and Absolution CONFESSION–Psalm 51 (page 86 in Christian Worship) All: Sing the refrains and the “Glory be...” Men: Sing the first half of each verse. Women: Sing the last half of each verse. ABSOLUTION–Choir: “Song of Zechariah” LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! THEME TEXT–Micah 6:9 The prophet Micah addressed the rebellious people of Judah with God’s call to repentance and warnings of judgment. He also announced God’s promises of forgiveness and the return from exile. Micah challenged the religious and civil leadership of Judah to lead the people in a return to God when he called on Jerusalem: “LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY!” Since we are surrounded by a fallen culture, God’s challenge is issued to us, as well, to witness to our community with calls to repentance and with the Gospel promises in Jesus. LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! PART ONE: LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! This city needs the Gospel “The godly have been swept from the land; not one upright man remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. Both hands are skilled in doing evil; the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire–they all conspire together.”–Micah 7:2-3 The sin and despair that surrounds us is our opportunity to call people to repentance and to proclaim the Gospel message of forgiveness and life in Jesus. CHOIR–“Not Unto Us” (Salem’s Alumni Choir) OLD TESTAMENT–Ezekiel 33:7-11 God calls us to be his watchmen, to warn the wayward, and to comfort the hopeless. The Old Testament reading was read by Ken Weber, co-chairman of the Anniversary Committee and chairman of the Progress and Planning Committee. HYMN–“The Old Rugged Cross” (insert) CHILDREN’S MESSAGE–2 Corinthians 3:3 “Living Christ’s Message” HYMN–#345: “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” PART TWO: LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! God has given us a mission in this city “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.”–Micah 7:18-20 Our mission is to present the Gospel, which heals what has been wounded by the accusations of God’s law. SOLO–“How Great Thou Art” by Joyce Washburn NEW TESTAMENT–John 3:16-17 This passage is the well-known summary of the Gospel message that, through the sacrifice of Jesus, we have forgiveness and eternal life. The New Testament reading was read by Ron Biffel, president of Salem’s church council. HYMN–#379: “Amazing Grace” Natasha Seaberry, saxophone accompaniment SERMON–Joel 2:38-42 "Celebrate the Promiscuity of God" by Rev. Jon Hartmann, Garden Homes CONFESSION OF FAITH–The Apostles’ Creed, CW page 19. THE OFFERING– PRAYERS–Prayer of the Church “The Lord’s Prayer” (solo by Barry Washburn) HYMN–#556: “Rise, Shine, You People” PART THREE: LISTEN! THE LORD IS CALLING TO THE CITY! God has great plans for our city “But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the LORD's wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness. Then my enemy will see it and will be covered with shame, she who said to me, "Where is the LORD your God?" My eyes will see her downfall; even now she will be trampled underfoot like mire in the streets. The day for building your walls will come, the day for extending your boundaries. In that day people will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, even from Egypt to the Euphrates and from sea to sea and from mountain to mountain.”–Micah 7:7-12 Jerusalem would fall under God’s discipline, but he holds out to his people the promise that their beloved city, the city God called his home, would be restored. The worship of God would become a magnet attracting former enemies to Jerusalem. God has great plans for our city. As souls are won for Jesus, the peace of Christ that envelops it will make our city a living portrait of the heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21) where the saints dwell in Christ’s glory. How God loves the city, for he loves the souls that are in it! CHOIR–“Our Song of Praise” EPISTLE/HISTORICAL LESSON–Revelation 21 The Epistle/Historical lesson was read by John Hoh, co-chairman of the Anniversary Committee and chairman of the Evangelism Committee. HYMN–#341: “Crown Him With Many Crowns” PRAYER–For the mission in the city C– Amen, Amen, Amen BENEDICTION–“Blessing” (solo by Rev. Sonnemann) HYMN–“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” To see more of Salem: Library + Chapel + Fellowship Hall + Kid's Oasis + Home + Chancel + Anniversary Window + Meet the Staff + Side Entrance