ORDER OF WORSHIP
Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Septemer 10, 2023
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Martin Luther's Morning Prayer
Martin Luther / Carl Schalk
I thank you, heav'nly Father,
through Je-sus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
You kept me safely through the night,
and brought me to the morning light.
Be with me through this day, I pray,
and keep me safe from Satan's sway
that all I think or do or say
please only you, my Strength and Stay.
Into your hands I now commend
my body and soul until life's end.
Your angel keep me safe from harm
until I rest in Jesus' arm.
Amen, amen.
PRELUDE
A New Hallelujah
Michael W. Smith
CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, let us sing to the Lord.
Let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
Come, let us worship and bow down
Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.
For the Lord is our God
and we are the people of God’s pasture
and the sheep of God’s hand.
GATHERING HYMN
Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven
ELW 864
Praise, my soul, the God of heaven;
joyfully your tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
evermore God's praises sing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praises everlasting ring!
God be praised for grace and favor to our forebears in distress.
God be praised, the same forever,
slow to chide and swift to bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glorious is God's faithfulness!
Frail as summer's flow'r we flourish,
blows the wind and it is gone;
but, as mortals rise and perish,
God endures unchanging on.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the great Eternal One!
Angels sing in adoration,
in God's presence, face to face.
Sun and moon and all creation,
all who dwell in time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise with us the God of grace!
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
Glory to God
ELW 163
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God's people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
First Reading Ezekiel 33:7-11
God appointed Ezekiel as a sentinel for the house of Israel. Ezekiel must faithfully convey God’s warnings to the people. Remarkably, God—who is about to attack Jerusalem—gives a warning with the hope that repentance will make the attack unnecessary.
7So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8If I say to the wicked, "O wicked ones, you shall surely die," and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. 9But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.
10Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: "Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?" 11Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?
Psalm 119:33-40 (sung)
Refrain:
Lead me in the path of your commandments.
33Teach me, O Lord, the way | of your statutes,
and I shall keep it | to the end.
34Give me understanding, and I shall | keep your teaching;
I shall keep it with | all my heart.
35Lead me in the path of | your commandments,
for that is | my desire.
36Incline my heart to | your decrees
and not to | unjust gain. R
37Turn my eyes from be- | holding falsehood;
give me life | in your way.
38Fulfill your promise | to your servant,
which is for | those who fear you.
39Turn away the reproach | that I dread,
because your judg- | ments are good.
40Behold, I long for | your commandments;
by your righteousness en- | liven me. R
SECOND READING: Romans 13:8-14
The obligation of Christians is to love one another and so fulfill the heart and goal of the law. Clothes make the person as we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” and live today in light of the future God has in store for us.
8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (sing twice)
Alleluia.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eteral life.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus offers practical advice to his disciples on how individuals—and the church as a whole—should go about restoring relationships when one member has sinned against another.
The holy gospel according to Matthew.
Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:]15If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY
Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace
ELW 716
Lord of all nations, grant me grace
to love all people, ev’ry race;
and in each person may I see
my kindred, loved, redeemed by thee.
Break down the wall that would divide
thy children, Lord, on ev’ry side.
My neighbor’s good let me pursue;
let Christian love bind warm and true.
Forgive me, Lord, where I have erred
by loveless act and thoughtless word.
Make me to see the wrong I do
will crucify my Lord anew.
Give me thy courage, Lord to speak
whenever strong oppress the weak.
Should I myself the victim be,
help me forgive, rememb’ring thee.
With thine own love may I be filled
and by thy Holy Spirit willed,
that all I touch, where’er I be,
may be divinely touched by thee.
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
Remembering the caring and generous works of God, we pray for the church, creation, and the needs of our neighbors.
Hear Our Prayer
ELW 178
Hear our prayer, hear our prayer,
Lord make us whole:
peace to all people,
hope for each soul.
God of grace, in this place,
hear now our prayer.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Inspire us to lead with honor, O God. Guide judges and legislators, police, and government officials to create and uphold just laws. Move us to treat all people with dignity and guide our conversations with one another. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Help us comfort those who suffer, O God. Reassure any who are harmed by the wicked acts of others. Bring peace to all who are vulnerable, frightened, despairing, or sick, particularly Arlene, Sherry, Mabel, Mike, Anna Mae, Kaden, Michael, Julie, Carol, Anne, Lydia, Paul, Wil, Amy, Betty, Bob, Jane, Marian L., Scott, Ron, Flo, Doris, Dottie, Theresa, Marian, Tim, Betty, Henry, Mary, Greg, Ann Joyce, and Max. Guard their waking and their sleeping. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Awaken us, O God. Challenge and encourage your people to value the vocation to which each is called. We pray for all discerning new possibilities or changing employment. In all our diverse callings, teach us to love our neighbor above all else. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Other petitions may be offered.
Be our hope, O God. We remember with thanksgiving your disciples who died in faith. May their trust in your promise be our protection and our hope. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Remember us according to your steadfast love as we offer these and the prayers of our heart, trusting in your compassion made known through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
EXCHANGE OF PEACE
Peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
+ 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.
OFFERING SONG
When We Eat This Bread
Thomas Keesecker
Refrain (sung by all)
When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus.
Oh, come to us in this holy meal,
as we gather 'round this table.
Verses (sung by band)
Fruit from the vine and grain from the field:
God, fill us with your blessing and grant us your grace.
You have sent your Son to free us all from sin.
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again. Refrain
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good,
and happy are the people who delight in God's love.
Oh, bless the Lord, let your mouth be full of praise.
God has blessed us and saved us and called us by name. Refrain
Reveal yourself in this breaking of bread.
Raise us up! Make us the body of Christ for the world. Into us breathe life!
Send us forth with hearts aflame.
Let justice and mercy find freedom to reign. Refrain
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray.
God of power, God of plenty, God of abundance, all things are yours. We bring to you that which you have entrusted to us. Use them so that all may be fed. Shape us into the very body of Christ and use us for the sake of the world. In the name of Jesus.
Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION
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,
Lord God of pow'r and might,
Heav'n 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
You are indeed holy, almighty and merciful God. You are most holy, and great is the majesty of your glory.
You so loved the world that you gave your only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.
We give you thanks for his coming into the world to fulfill for us your holy will and to accomplish all things for our salvation.
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.
For as often as we eat of this bread and drink from this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Christ has died.
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Remembering, therefore, his salutary command, his life-giving passion and death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, and the promise of his coming again, we give thanks to you, O Lord God Almighty, not as we ought but as we are able; we ask you mercifully to accept our praise and thanksgiving and with your Word and Holy Spirit to bless us, your servants, and these your own gifts of bread and wine, so that we and all who share in the body and blood of Christ may be filled with heavenly blessing and grace, and, receiving the forgiveness of sin, may be formed to live as your holy people and be given our inheritance with all your saints.
To you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory in your holy church, now and forever. Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER (sung)
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and 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 pow'r,
and the glory are yours
now and forever.
Amen.
DISTRIBUTION
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 where we receive the host. Then to either side of the pastor is first, a chalice for intinction and second, a common cup for drinking. Please indicate to Pastor if you prefer grape juice as a chalice for intinction is available as well. Gluten free bread is available. If you wish to commune, but cannot come forward, let an usher know and Pastor will come to you. If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward to receive a blessing. 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
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace, grant us peace.
HYMNS DURING COMMUNION
Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am
ELW 814
Take, oh, take me as I am;
summon out what I shall be;
set your seal upon my heart
and live in me.
HYMN AFTER COMMUNION
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise
ELW 206
Thankful hearts and voices raise:
tell ev'ryone what God has done.
Let all who seek the Lord rejoice
and bear Christ's holy name.
Send us with your promises, O God,
and lead us forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia.
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
And now may the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ preserve us on to life everlasting.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son. By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
Go, My Children, with My Blessing
ELW 543
“Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love’s baptismal river
I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.”
“Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.
Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.
Here you heard my dear Son’s story,
here you touched him, saw his glory.
Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.”
“Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.
Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.
Here my Spirit’s power filled you,
here my tender comfort stilled you.
Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.”
CHARGE AND BENEDICTION
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Follow the way of Jesus.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
All The People Said Amen
Matt Maher, Paul Moak, & Trevor Morgan
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 New Hallelujah, Words and Music: Michael W. Smith,Paul Baloche, & Debbie Smith, Words and music © 2003 Smittyfly Music | Word Music, LLC | This Is Your Time Music | Leadership Songs | Integrity's Hosanna! Music., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven, Text: Henry F. Lyte, 1793-1847, alt. Walter R. Bouman, 1927-2005. Music: Dale Wood, 1934-2003. Text and music © 1974 Augsburg Publishing House., Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Glory to God, Music: Thomas Pavlechko, b. 1962. Music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Psalm Refrain 113A: Words and Music: Kathy Wonson Eddy © 2011 Kathy Wonson Eddy, admin. Faith Alive Christian Resources, Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Psalm Tone 113A, © 2011 Faith Alive Christian Resources. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace,Text: Olive Wise Spannaus, 1916-2018, alt.Text © 1969 Concordia Publishing House.Duplication .. Music: Šamotulský Kancionál, 1561. Public domain.
Hear Our Prayer, Text and music: Paul Andress, b. 1956. Text and music © 2006 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
When We Eat This Bread, Liturgical text adapt. Thomas Keesecker, b. 1956, Music: Thomas Keesecker. Music © 2008 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Lord's Prayer, Music: Jack S. Upton, Jr. Used by permission.
Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am, Text and music: John L. Bell, b. 1949, Text and music © 1995 Iona Community, GIA Publications, Inc., agent. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise, Text: John W. Arthur, 1922-1980, Text © 1978, 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Music: Bread of Life, Jeremy Young, b. 1948. Music © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Go, My Children, with My Blessing, Text: Jaroslav J. Vajda, b. 1919, alt. Text © 1983 Concordia Publishing House. Music: Welsh traditional, arr. Ralph Vaughn Williams, 1872-1958. Arr. © Oxford University Press. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Brazilian folk song. Public domain.
All the People Said Amen, Words and Music by Matt Maher, Paul Moak, and Trevor Morgan. © 2013 Universal Music | Brentwood Benson Publishing | Thankyou Music | Valley Of Songs Music | Trevor Morgan Music, admin. Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc. | Capitol CMG Publishing | Trevor Morgan Music. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
