ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 11, 2022
+ GATHERING +
A Litany of Remembrance
Lord of the nations, God of our strength, the images and remembrances of the tragedy of September 11th are imprinted on our minds and in our senses. What we saw, how we felt, what we said is not forgotten. Yet with a gentle and caring hand you have lifted us over these years from despair and fear and have brought us to this time of remembrance on the anniversary these years later. With grateful hearts, we thank you, O Lord.
You have given us strength beyond our expectations to meet the challenges of living in this post-9/11 world. With grateful hearts, we thank you, O Lord.
You have touched us with your healing power and eased the pain of that horrific day so many years ago. You have turned despair to hope. With grateful hearts, we thank you, O Lord.
As we look back, we remember the lives of the thousands who died so tragically. We remember the heroism of firefighters, police, nurses, doctors, clergy and the many ordinary citizens who gave of themselves for others. We remember with thanksgiving, O Lord.
We remember the courageous leadership of our elected officials and all in public service who have helped us move forward over these years. We remember with thanksgiving, O Lord.
As we look forward, O God, we see that our daily lives continue to be affected in many ways. Continue to diminish our fear and help us place our trust and hope in you. Lord, hear our prayer.
Guide and inspire us and our leaders to make wise decisions for our future, for our homeland, and for our people. Keep us from self-righteousness, arrogant pride and prejudice. Unite us to champion justice, peace and freedom. Lord, hear our prayer.
You know the hurts and wounds and scars that remain. Send us your healing Spirit. Comfort those who mourn. Bring us all to the fullness of health and joy that comes from your love. Lord, hear our prayer.
God of all creation, Author of all good, Provider of all our needs, to you we give our praises, our prayers and our thanksgivings on this day of remembrance. All honor and glory be yours, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
CHOIR ANTHEM
In Memoriam
by Lee Dengler & Susan Naus Dengler
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
In the name of the Father, and of the +Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.
In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
Holy God, We Praise Your Name
ELW 414
Holy God, we praise your name;
Lord of all, we bow before you.
All on earth your scepter claim,
all in heav'n above adore you.
Infinite your vast domain,
everlasting is your reign.
Hark! The glad celestial hymn
angel choirs above are raising;
cherubim and seraphim,
in unceasing chorus praising,
fill the heav'ns with sweet accord:
"Holy, holy, holy Lord!"
Lo, the apostolic train
join your sacred name to hallow;
prophets swell the glad refrain,
and the white-robed martyrs follow;
and from morn to set of sun
through the church the song goes on.
Holy Father, holy Son,
Holy Spirit, three we name you,
though in essence only one;
undivided God we claim you
and, adoring, bend the knee
while we own the mystery.
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.
HYMN OF PRAISE
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
ELW 836
Joyful, joyful we adore thee,
God of glory, Lord of love!
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before thee,
praising thee, their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the gloom of doubt away.
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All thy works with joy surround thee,
earth and heav'n reflect thy rays,
stars and angels sing around thee,
center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
chanting bird, and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our brother,
all who live in love are thine;
teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the joy divine!
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, overflowing with mercy and compassion, you lead back to yourself all those who go astray. Preserve your people in your loving care, that we may reject whatever is contrary to you and may follow all things that sustain our life in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28
The sinfulness of the people will surely bring their destruction. God’s searing wind of judgment, in the form of a massive foreign army, will reduce the land to its primeval state of waste and void, as it was at the beginning of Genesis.
11At that time it will be said to this people and to Jerusalem: A hot wind comes from me out of the bare heights in the desert toward my poor people, not to winnow or cleanse — 12a wind too strong for that. Now it is I who speak in judgment against them.
22"For my people are foolish,
they do not know me;
they are stupid children,
they have no understanding.
They are skilled in doing evil,
but do not know how to do good."
23I looked on the earth, and lo, it was waste and void;
and to the heavens, and they had no light.
24I looked on the mountains, and lo, they were quaking,
and all the hills moved to and fro.
25I looked, and lo, there was no one at all,
and all the birds of the air had fled.
26I looked, and lo, the fruitful land was a desert,
and all its cities were laid in ruins
before the LORD, before his fierce anger.
27For thus says the LORD: The whole land shall be a desolation; yet I will not make a full end.
28Because of this the earth shall mourn,
and the heavens above grow black;
for I have spoken, I have purposed;
I have not relented nor will I turn back.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 14 (spoken responsively by full verse)
1Fools say in their hearts, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good.
2The LORD looks down from heaven on humankind
to see if there are any who are wise,
who seek after God.
3They have all gone astray, they are all alike perverse;
there is no one who does good,
no, not one.
4Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon the LORD?
5There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.
6You would confound the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.
7O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.
SECOND READING: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
The letters to Timothy and Titus are called the pastoral epistles because they contain advice especially intended for leaders in the church. Here the mercy shown to Paul, who once persecuted the church, is cited as evidence that even the most unworthy may become witnesses to the grace of God.
12I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he judged me faithful and appointed me to his service, 13even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a man of violence. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, 14and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the foremost. 16But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. 17To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Celtic Alleluia
ELW 174
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Cantor:
Speak, Lord, your servant is list'ning.
Speak your words of wisdom,
for the words you speak are everlasting life.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Luke 15:1-10
Jesus tells two stories that suggest a curious connection between the lost being found and sinners repenting. God takes the initiative to find sinners, each of whom is so precious to God that their recovery brings joy in heaven.
The holy gospel according to Luke.
Glory to you, O Lord.
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3So he told them this parable: 4Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound
ELW 779
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me;
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun.
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
As scattered grains of wheat are gathered together into one bread, so let us gather our prayers for the church, those in need, and all of God’s good creation.
A brief silence.
Your grace overflows into the lives of all your people. Fill your church with faith and love. Give understanding hearts to those who strive to strengthen our work with our ecumenical partners. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
The beauty of your creation suffers the impacts of pollution and lack of care. As the seasons change, renew in us the will to protect plants, animals, and habitats. Bless us with bountiful harvests that all may share. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Around the world there is brokenness and anger and fear. Remember us in your mercy. Teach wisdom to our elected leaders so that we know peace in our world, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Your children wander homeless and the hungry cry for bread. Seek out those who are lost or lonely, anxious or depressed, or struggling with addiction or illness. Provide for those in any need, particularly Toni, Arlene, Lori, Anna Mae, Julie, Carol, Anne, Allen, JoAnn, Lydia, Clarene, Albert, Betty, Marian, Dottie, Theresa, Ian, Tim, Julie, Ruth, Henry, Mary, Greg, Barbara, Max, and Shelby. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
In this congregation, we strive to do your work with our hands, feet, voices, minds, and hearts. Bless our efforts and expand our vision that we serve our neighbors and welcome the stranger in your name. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
Your blessed saints who have died now rest in your presence. Give us thankful hearts for those who have been examples of faith in our lives, and receive us with joy when we come to share eternal life with you. God of grace,
hear our prayer.
(A brief silence for personal petitions)
Gathered together in the sweet communion of the Holy Spirit, gracious God, we offer these and all our prayers to you; through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
We safely share the peace of Christ with each other.
+ MEAL +
OFFERING
You may place your offerings in the offering plate as it is passed during 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.
MUSICAL OFFERING
OFFERING SONG
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow
ELW 885
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heav'nly host;
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Merciful God, as grains of wheat scattered upon the hills were gathered together to become one bread, so let your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom, for yours is the glory through Jesus Christ, now and forever.
Amen.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
DIALOGUE
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 opened 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:
SANCTUS
Holy, Holy, Holy
ELW 192
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.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
O God most mighty, O God most merciful, O God our rock and our salvation, hear us as we praise, call us to your table, grant us your life.
When the world was a formless void, you formed order and beauty. When Abraham and Sarah were barren, you sent them a child. When the Israelites were enslaved, you led them to freedom. Ruth faced starvation, David fought Goliath, and the psalmists cried out for healing, and full of compassion, you granted the people your life.
You entered our sorrows in Jesus our brother. He was born among the poor, he lived under oppression, he wept over the city. With infinite love, he granted the people your life.
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 death, we cry out Amen. Amen.
Celebrating his resurrection, we shout Amen. Amen.
Trusting his presence in every time and place, we plead Amen. Amen.
O God, you are Breath: send your Spirit on this meal. O God, you are Bread: feed us with yourself. O God, you are Wine: warm our hearts and make us one. O God, you are Fire: transform us with hope.
O God most majestic, O God most motherly, O God our strength and our song, you show us a vision of a tree of life with fruits for all and leaves that heal the nations. Grant us such life, the life of the Father to the Son, the life of the Spirit of our risen Savior, life in you, now and forever.
Amen.
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.
DISTRIBUTION
This holy meal is for all the baptized children of God. We commune at the altar rail. The ushers will direct you down the center aisle. Please go to an open spot at the altar rail. After you have received the host, the first chalice is for intinction and the second chalice is for drinking. A third chalice of grape juice is also offered. Please let the Pastor know if you wish to receive gluten-free wafers. You may wish to remain at the rail for a time of personal prayer following which you may return to your pew down the side aisle.
LAMB OF GOD
O Christ, Lamb of God
ELW 196
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
O Christ, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace. Amen.
HYMNS DURING COMMUNION
One Bread, One Body
ELW 496
Refrain
One bread, one body, one Lord of all;
one cup of blessing which we bless,
and we, though many throughout the earth,
we are one body in this one Lord.
Gentile or Jew, servant or free,
woman or man, no more. Refrain
Many the gifts, many the works,
one in the Lord of all. Refrain
Grain for the fields, scattered and grown,
gathered to one for all. Refrain
As the Grains of Wheat
ELW 465
Refrain
As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill
were gathered into one to become our bread;
so may all your people from all the ends of earth
be gathered into one in you.
As this cup of blessing is shared within our midst,
may we share the presence of your love. Refrain
Let this be a foretaste of all that is to come
when all creation shares this feast with you. Refrain
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.
Amen.
SONG AFTER COMMUNION
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise
ELW 204
Thankful hearts and voices raise: tell ev'ryone what God has done.
Let ev'ryone who seeks the Lord rejoice and bear the name of Christ.
Send us with your promises and lead your people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia, alleluia.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O God, our life, our strength, our food, we give you thanks for sustaining us with the body and blood of your Son. By your Holy Spirit, enliven us to be his body in the world, that more and more we will give you praise and serve your earth and its many peoples, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
ELW 807
Come, thou Fount of ev'ry blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
While the hope of endless glory
fills my heart with joy and love,
teach me ever to adore thee;
may I still thy goodness prove.
Here I raise my Ebenezer:
"Hither by thy help I've come";
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wand'ring from the fold of God;
he, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
Oh, to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be;
let that grace now like a fetter
bind my wand'ring heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
prone to leave the God I love.
Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.
BENEDICTION
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Remember the poor!
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
Commemoration
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
A Litany of Remembrance. Based in part by work of the Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel.
Holy God, We Praise Your Name Text: source unknown; tr. Clarence A. Walworth, 1820-1900. Music: Katholisches Gesangbuch, Vienna, 1774. Public doamin.
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee, Text: Henry van Dyke, 1852-1922. Music: Ludwig van Beethover, 1770-1827, adapt. Public domain.
Celtic Alleluia, Music: Finian O'Carroll and Christopher Walker, Music © 1985 Finian O'Carroll and Christopher Walker, admin. OCP Publications, Inc. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved..
Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound, Text: John Newton, 1725-1807, alt., sts. 1-4; anonymous, st. 5. Music: W. Walker, Southern Harmony, 1835; arr. Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921, alt.. Public domain.
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow. Text: Thomas Ken, 1637-1711, alt.. Music: Louis Bourgeois, 1510-1561, attr., Genevan Psalter, 1551. Public domain.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Music: A Community Mass, Richard Proulx, b. 1937. Music © 1971, 1977 GIA Publications, Inc.. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved..
O Christ, Lamb of God, Music: J. Bugenhagen, Christliche Ordnung, 1528. Public domain.
One Bread, One Body, Text and music: John Foley, SJ, b. 1939, Text and music © 1978 John B. Foley, SJ and OCP Publications, Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved..
As the Grains of Wheat. Text: Didache, 2nd cent.; Marty Haugen, b. 1950, Music: Marty Haugen, Text and music © 1990 GIA Publications, Inc., Text and muisic reprinted and streamed with permission under One License A-722274. All right reserved.
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise, Text: John W. Arthur, 1922-1980, Music: Richard W. Hillert, b. 1923.Text © 1978, 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved..
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Text: Robert Robinson, 1735-1790, alt.. Music: J. Wyeth, Respository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813. Public domain.
