Order of Worship
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 12, 2021
+GATHERING+
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
HYMN Oh, Praise the Gracious Power (vs. 1-3) ELW 651
Oh, praise the gracious pow'r
that tumbles walls of fear
and gathers in one house of faith
all strangers far and near:
Refrain
We praise you, Christ!
Your cross has made us one!
Oh, praise persistent truth
that opens fisted minds
and eases from their anxious clutch
the prejudice that blinds: Refrain
Oh, praise inclusive love,
encircling ev'ry race,
oblivious to gender, wealth,
to social rank or place: Refrain
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father: We give you thanks, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and you created heaven and earth. By the gift of water you nourish and sustain us and all living things.
Blessed be God now and forever.
By the waters of the flood you condemned the wicked and saved those whom you had chosen, Noah and his family. You led Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, out of slavery into the freedom of the promised land.
Blessed be God now and forever.
In the waters of the Jordan your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Spirit. By the baptism of his own death and resurrection your beloved Son has set us free from the bondage to sin and death, and has opened the way to the joy and freedom of everlasting life. He made water a sign of the kingdom and of cleansing and rebirth. In obedience to his command, we make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God now and forever.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, so that those who are baptized may be given new life. Wash away the sin of all those who are cleansed in baptismal waters and bring them forth as inheritors of your glorious kingdom.
To you be given praise and honor and worship through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the glory of the cross you transform our lives. In the waters of baptism you have drawn us to yourself so that for the sake of the gospel, we may turn from the lure of sin and evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+WORD +
PSALM 116:1-9 (read responsively by full verse)
1I love the LORD, because he has heard
my voice and my supplications.
2Because he inclined his ear to me,
therefore I will call on him as long as I live.
3The snares of death encompassed me;
the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me;
I suffered distress and anguish.
4Then I called on the name of the LORD:
"O LORD, I pray, save my life!"
5Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
our God is merciful.
6The LORD protects the simple;
when I was brought low, he saved me.
7Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
8For you have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling.
9I walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
GOSPEL: Mark 8:27-38
This story provides the turning point in Mark’s gospel. Peter is the first human being in the narrative to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, but he cannot accept that as the Messiah Jesus will have to suffer. Moreover, Jesus issues a strong challenge to all by connecting discipleship and the cross.
The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.
27Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" 28And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."
34He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus ELW 451
We are baptized in Christ Jesus,
we are baptized in his death;
that as Christ is raised victorious,
we might live a brand new life.
And if we have been united
in a dreadful death like his,
we will all be reunited, for he lives.
In the water and the witness,
in the breaking of the bread,
in the waiting arms of Jesus
who is risen from the dead,
God has made a new beginning
from the ashes of our past;
in the losing and the winning we hold fast.
Glory be to God the Father,
glory be to Christ the Son,
glory to the Holy Spirit,
ever three and ever one;
as it was in the beginning,
glory now resounds again
in a song that has no ending. Amen
+ THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM +
In baptism our gracious heavenly Father frees us from sin and death by joining us to the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are born children of a fallen humanity; by water and the Holy Spirit we are reborn children of God and made members of the church, the body of Christ. Living with Christ and in the communion of saints, we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God.
PRESENTATION
I present Olivia Hazel Rojas for baptism.
Called by the Holy Spirit, trusting in the grace and love of God, do you desire to have your child baptized into Christ?
We do.
As you bring your child to receive the gift of baptism, you are entrusted with responsibilities:
to live with her among God’s faithful people,
bring her to the word of God and the holy supper,
teach her the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments,
place in her hands the holy scriptures,
and nurture her in faith and prayer,
so that your child may learn to trust God,
proclaim Christ through word and deed,
care for others and the world God made,
and work for justice and peace.
Do you promise to help your child grow in the Christian faith and life?
We do.
Sponsors, do you promise to nurture her in the Christian faith as you are empowered by God’s Spirit, and to help her live in the covenant of baptism and in communion with the church?
We do.
People of God, do you promise to support Olivia and pray for her in her new life in Christ?
We do.
PROFESSION OF FAITH
I ask you to profess your faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the church.
Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God?
We renounce them.
Do you renounce the power of this world that rebel against God?
We renounce them.
Do you renounce the ways of sin that draw you from God?
We renounce them.
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
We thank you, Holy God, for the waters of Baptism. In them we are buried with Christ in his death. By them we share in his resurrection. Through them we are reborn by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, in joyful obedience to the command of your Son, in faith we bring Olivia for Holy Baptism. Now, sanctify this water by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who are or have been cleansed from sin and are born again may continue forever in the risen life of Jesus, our Lord. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, ow and forever. Amen.
BAPTISM
Olivia Hazel Rojas, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
You belong to Christ, in whom you have been baptized. Alleluia.
Let us pray.
We give you thanks, O God, that through water and the Holy Spirit you give your daughters and sons new birth, cleanse them from sin, and raise them to eternal life.
Sustain Olivia with the gift of your Holy Spirit: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord, the spirit of joy in your presence, both now and forever.
Amen.
Olivia, child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever.
Amen.
Hymn Cradling Children in His Arm ELW 444
Cradling children in his arm,
Jesus gave his blessing.
To our babes a welcome warm
he is yet addressing.
Take them, Lord, give life anew
in the living waters!
Keep them always near to you
as your sons and daughters!
WELCOME
Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Let us welcome the newly baptized.
We welcome you into the body of Christ and into the mission we share: join us in giving thanks and praised to God and bearing God’s creative and redeeming word to all the world.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Made children and heirs of God’s promise, we pray for the church, the world, and all in need.
A brief silence.
Revealing God, you have made yourself known through bread and wine, water and word. Continue to nurture your church, that it is a place where your presence is experienced and shared. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Creating God, you brought life into being and called it good. Bring new creation to lands devastated by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and other disasters. Restore forests and curb overflowing waters. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Protecting God, you desire all people to live in peace and safety. Provide for all who are in danger. Strengthen first responders to help meet to the complex needs of others. Provide care and compassion as they face trauma themselves. Heal those are suffering, particularly Alena, Jenna, Marilyn, Margaret, Anna Mae, Julie, Alan, Ken, Carol, Anne, Allen, JoAnn, Beth, Betty, Dione, Dottie, Theresa, Dottie, Tim, Glenn, Ruth, Henry, Mary, Greg, Ann Joyce, Barbara, & Shelby.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Transforming God, you announce release to the captives and freedom to the oppressed. Break chains of discrimination and injustice. Amplify voices that go unheard and inspire us to advocate for the those who are overlooked. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Forming God, you gather this community together. Shape our communal life, that in our prayer, praise, and worship, we honor you and encourage one another. Keep our disagreements civil and increase our joy in working together. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Living God, in the waters of Baptism, you draw us to yourself in communion with each other. We give you thanks for our sister Olivia and her family. Grow us all in faith and love of you and each other. Shape our life together, that in our prayer, praise, and worship, we honor you and encourage one another. Let our disagreements be expressed in love and our joy increased as we work together to serve you and your people. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Receive these prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GREETING OF PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
+ MEAL +
During this time of pandemic, we are not passing offering plates during our worship service. Instead, they are placed at the back of the sanctuary. You may place your offerings there either before or after the service. Alternatively, some are using Tithe.ly for online giving or are using their bank’s online banking option. Whichever way you choose to give, we are grateful for your stewardship and generosity.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of abundance, you cause streams to break forth in the desert and manna to rain from the heavens. Accept the gifts you have first given us. Unite them with the offering of our lives to nourish the world you love so dearly; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection openn.ed to us the way of everlasting life. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the
highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord, heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son, who reached out to heal the sick and suffering, who preached good news to the poor, and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Remembering, therefore, his death, resurrection, and ascension, we await his coming in glory.
Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all glory and honor, now and forever. Amen.
THE LORD'S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to the Table ELW 481
Come to the table of mercy,
prepared with the wine and the bread.
All who are hungry and thirsty,
come, and your souls will be fed.
Come at the Lord's invitation;
receive from his nail-scarred hand.
Eat of the bread of salvation;
drink of the blood of the Lamb.
DISTRIBUTION
In Holy Communion, the baptized children of God are invited by the Lord to the Lord's Table where we receive Jesus' very body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. We commune at the head of the aisle receiving the host and then moving to receive wine or grape juice by the individual cup. The ushers will direct you. Gluten free bread is available. If you wish to commune but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. For those who do not wish to commune, they are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing from Pastor.
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord of life, in the gift of your body and blood you turn the crumbs of our faith into a feast of salvation. Send us forth into the world with shouts of joy, being witness to the abundance of your love in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+SENDING+
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN Oh, Praise the Gracious Power, (vs 4,6,7) ELW 651
Oh, praise the word of faith
that claims us as God's own,
a living temple built on Christ,
our rock and cornerstone:
Refrain
We praise you, Christ!
Your cross has made us one!
Oh, praise the pow'r, the truth,
the love, the word, the tide.
Yet more than these, oh, praise their source,
praise Christ the crucified: Refrain
Oh, praise the living Christ
with faith's bright songful voice!
Announce the gospel to the world
and with these words rejoice: Refrain
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
COMMEMORATION
Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen, died 1179
A mystic who was widely influential within the church, Hildegard advised and reproved kings and popes, wrote poems and hymns, and produced treatises in medicine, theology, and natural history. She was also a musician and artist.
Dag Hammarskjöld, renewer of society, died 1961
A Swedish diplomat, Hammarskjöld served as the second Secretary General of the United Nations until his death in a plane crash while trying to negotiate peace in present-day Zambia. His journal, published as Markings, revealed the depth of his Christian faith.
Oh, Praise the Gracious Power, Text: Thomas H. Troeger, b. 1945, Text from New Hymns for the Lectionary © 1984 Oxford University Press, Inc. Music: Carol Doran, b. 1936, Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006 and 2020 Augsburg Fortress, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
We Are Baptized in Christ Jesus, Text and music: John C. Ylvisaker,1937-2017, Text and music © 1985 John C. Ylvisaker, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Cradling Children in His Arm,Text: Nicolai F. S. Grundtvig, 1783-1872; tr. Johannes H. V. Knudsen, 1902-1982, Text © 1976 Johannes H. V. Knudsen, admin. Augsburg Fortress., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Johann Horn, 1490-1547. Public domain.
Come to the Table, Text: Claire Cloninger, b. 1942; Music: Martin J. Nystrom, b. 1956. Text and Music © 1991 Integrity's Hosanna! Music | Curb Word Music, Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
