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Sunday Morning Worship 09 19 2021
Pam Smith
Pam Smith
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Notes
Playlist

Order of Worship
Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 19, 2021

+GATHERING+

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRELUDE    

HYMN  
     Making Their Way      ACS 979

Making their way down through the ages,
sinners and saints have heard God's call:
wealthy and poor, powerful, lowly,
Jesus' disciples, one and all.
Gathered for worship, offering thanks,
the greatest with the least
have come to share this feast.

Making their way all the world over,
Christians assemble on this day,
hearing the Word, sharing the Banquet,
learning to walk in Jesus' way.
Members of Christ, united in love,
they seek our God to know,
and so together grow.

Making our way season by season,
pilgrims, we journey till life's end,
traveling light, sharing the riches,
caring for stranger as for friend,
till in the joy of longing fulfilled,
together we will come
to our eternal home.

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.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity + one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever.
Amen.
  
Let us confess our sins to the one who welcomes us with an open heart.
   
    Silence is kept for reflection.

God our comforter:
like lost sheep, we have gone astray.
We are surrounded with abundance and see scarcity.
We turn away from injustice and oppression that we don’t want to see.
We exploit the earth and its resources with our apathy and greed.
Free us from our sin, gracious God.
Listen when we call out to you for help.
Lead us by your love to love our neighbors as ourselves.
Amen.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
By the gift of grace in + Christ Jesus, God makes you righteous.
Receive with glad hearts the forgiveness of all your sins.
Amen.    
                                                    
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, our teacher and guide, you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children. Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition, that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. 
Amen.

+WORD +

READING    Jeremiah 11:18-20
Today’s reading tells of the suffering of the prophet Jeremiah, who announced God’s word to Judah but was met with intense opposition and persecution. Jeremiah continues to trust in God in the midst of his suffering. 

18It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew;
 then you showed me their evil deeds.
 19But I was like a gentle lamb
 led to the slaughter.
 And I did not know it was against me
 that they devised schemes, saying,
 "Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
 let us cut him off from the land of the living,
 so that his name will no longer be remembered!"
 20But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously,
 who try the heart and the mind,
 let me see your retribution upon them,
 for to you I have committed my cause.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

PSALM 54    (read responsively by full verse)

 1Save me, O God, by your name,
 and vindicate me by your might.
 2Hear my prayer, O God;
 give ear to the words of my mouth.
 3For the insolent have risen against me,
 the ruthless seek my life;
 they do not set God before them.
Selah
 4But surely, God is my helper;
 the LORD is the upholder of my life.
 5He will repay my enemies for their evil.
 In your faithfulness, put an end to them.
 6With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you;
 I will give thanks to your name, O LORD, for it is good.
 7For he has delivered me from every trouble,
 and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

GOSPEL:      Mark 9:30-37
 Jesus’ teaching and action in this text are directed to the church whenever it is seduced by the world’s definition of greatness: prestige, power, influence, and money. The antidote to such a concern for greatness is servanthood. 

The holy gospel according to Mark.
Glory to you, O Lord.

30They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." 32But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
33Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" 34But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." 36Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.

The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN    
     Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service   (vs. 1,3)     ELW 712

Lord, whose love in humble service
bore the weight of human need,
who upon the cross, forsaken,
worked your mercy's perfect deed:
we, your servants, bring the worship
not of voice alone, but heart;
consecrating to your purpose
ev'ry gift which you impart.

As we worship, grant us vision,
till your love's revealing light
in its height and depth and greatness
dawns upon our quickened sight,
making known the needs and burdens
your compassion bids us bear,
stirring us to ardent service,
your abundant life to share.

APOSTLES’ 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.

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.

God of relationships, we pray for the church around the world. Unite us in our love for you. Help us overcome our divisions, that we are encouraged to work together for your sake. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.  

God of creation, we pray for the earth. Awaken in us a new desire to care for this world and empower us to support agencies, organizations, and individual efforts to protect and  heal our environment. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.  

God of cooperation, we pray for nations of the world embroiled in conflict. Inspire leaders to listen to each other and work towards peaceful solutions to disagreements. Protect the vulnerable, especially children, who cannot find safety in their home or country. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.  

God of comfort, we pray for all who live with any kind of illness, 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.  Help them find needed care  and treatment. Bring healing and wholeness when the days seem bleak. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.  

God of compassion, we pray for the young people of our community. Renew in us your call to welcome the children into our midst. As they grow, strengthen their faith and our commitment to them. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.  

God of consolation, we give you thanks for our loved ones who have died and pray for all who grieve today. Shine your grace on all your saints. 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 God, you alone are holy, you alone are God.  The universe declares your praise:  beyond the stars; beneath the sea; within each cell; with every breath.
          We praise you, O God.

Generations bless your faithfulness:  through the water; by night and day; across the wilderness; out of exile; into the future.
          We bless you, O God.

We give you thanks for your dear Son:  at the heart of human life; near to those who suffer; beside the sinner; among the poor; with us now.
          We thank you, O God.

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 his love for us on the way, at the table, and to the end, we proclaim the mystery of faith.
           Christ has died.  
           Christ is risen.  
           Christ will come again.

We pray for the gift of your Spirit:  in our gathering; within this meal; among your people; throughout the world.

Blessing, praise, and thanks to you, holy God, through Christ Jesus, by your Spirit, in your church, without end.
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     
     Abide, O Dearest Jesus   (vs 1,2,4)     ELW 539

Abide, O dearest Jesus,
among us with your grace,
that evil may not harm us
nor we to sin give place.

Abide, O dear Redeemer,
among us with your word
and thus now and hereafter
true peace and joy afford.

Abide with richest blessings
among us, bounteous Lord;
let us in grace and wisdom
grow daily through your word.

DISMISSAL 

Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.

POSTLUDE  

COMMEMORATION

Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Matthew (or Levi) was a tax collector in Capernaum for the Roman government. Tax collectors were frequently despised for dishonesty and for assisting the occupiers. Jesus nevertheless showed love for them, and chose Matthew to be a disciple. 


Making Their Way, Text: Delores Dufner, OSB, b. 1939, Text © 2011 GIA Publications, Inc.,  Music: A. Valerius, Nederlandtsch Gedenckclank, 1626; arr. Adrian Engels, 1906-2003,  Arr © 1967 Gooi en Sticht, BV, Baarn, The Netherlands, admin. OCP Publications, Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved. 

Liturgical Text, Music, and Images from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006 and 2020 Augsburg Fortress and SundaysandSeasons.com. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761.  All rights reserved.

Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service, Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984, Text © 1961 Oxford University Press;  Music: The Sacred Harp, Philiadelphia, 1844; arr. Selected Hymns, 1985, Arr © 1985 Augsburg Fortress. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274.  All rights reserved.

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.

Abide, O Dearest Jesus , Text: Josua Stegmann, 1588-1632; tr. August Crull, 1845-1923; Music: Melchior Vulpius, 1570-1615.  Public domain.