Leonard Skretteberg Service

THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the source of all mercy and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we ourselves have received from God. 

   Thanks be to God.

When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff - they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

PRAYER

O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother Leonard. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

ANTHEM "Go Rest High on that Mountain"

SCRIPTURE READINGS

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 

1 Corinthians 15:51-57

Listen, I will tell you a mystery! 

We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. 

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead 

  will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 

For this perishable body must put on imperishability, 

  and this mortal body must put on immortality. 

When this [takes place], 

    then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: 

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 

  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 

    But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through 

      our Lord Jesus Christ. 

John 14:1-6

[Jesus, speaking to his disciples said]: 

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. 

  Believe in God, believe also in me. 

    In my Father’s house there are many mansions. 

      If it were not so, would I have told you 

    that I go to prepare a place for you? 

  And if I go and prepare a place for you, 

I will come again and will take you to myself, 

  so that where I am, there you may be also. 

And you know the way to where I am going.” 

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. 

  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

SERMON Pastor Phil Wold

HYMN OF THE DAY        "Amazing Grace"

APOSTLE'S CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,

   who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary,

   suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried;

he descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven,

   he is seated at the right hand of the Father,

    and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church,

  the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

  the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.   

THE PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Let us pray.

Almighty God, in holy baptism you have knit your chosen people together into one communion of saints in the body of Christ. Give to your whole church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ's death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to share the new life in Christ. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Give courage and faith to all who mourn, and a sure and certain hope in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may have strength for the days ahead. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that, where this world groans in grief and pain, your Holy Spirit may lead us to bear witness to your light and life. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Help us, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. 

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

            The prayers conclude 

God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection he opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

 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

HYMN "How Great Thou Art"

COMMENDATION

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Christian Leonard Skretteberg

Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, 

a sheep of your own fold, 

a lamb of your own flock, 

a sinner of your own redeeming.  

Receive him into the arms of your mercy, 

into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, 

and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen

Let us go forth in peace. In the name of Christ. Amen

RECESSIONAL