ORDER OF WORSHIP
Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 13, 2026
In today’s second reading Paul questions why we judge one another, since we all stand before the judgment of God. Yet we do sin against one another, and Jesus’ challenge that we forgive seventy-seven times reveals God’s boundless mercy. When we hear the words of forgiveness in worship and sign ourselves with the cross, we are renewed in baptism to be signs of reconciliation in the world.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Martin Luther's Morning Prayer
Martin Luther / Carl Schalk
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
+ All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God,
who pours love into our hearts and healing upon the earth.
Amen.
Confident that God justifies us by grace through faith,
let us confess our sin.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Compassionate God,
we confess that we struggle to embody your goodness
in the world and in our own hearts.
Creation groans from overuse.
Jealousy and bitterness strain our relationships.
Indifference keeps us from seeking justice.
Divisions disrupt your call
to show genuine love to others.
Turn our hearts back to you.
Restore our world and reconcile us to one another.
Renew us to live as your holy people,
following the way of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Hear the good news:
We have peace with God through Jesus Christ,
in whom there is no condemnation,
but only forgiveness and the promise of eternal life.
Receive freely this healing gift of grace.
Amen.
GATHERING HYMN
All Creatures Worship God Most High!
ELW 835, v 1-4
All creatures, worship God most high!
Sound ev'ry voice in earth and sky: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Sing, brother sun, in splendor bright;
sing, sister moon and stars of night:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Sing, brother wind; with clouds and rain
you grow the gifts of fruit and grain: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear sister water, useful, clear,
make music for your Lord to hear:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Sing, brother fire, so mirthful, strong,
drive far the shadows, join the throng: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Dear mother earth, so rich in care,
praise God in colors bright and rare:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
All who for love of God forgive,
all who in pain and sorrow grieve: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Christ bears your burdens and your fears;
still make your song amid the tears:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
APOSTOLIC 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 you, God, for yours is the earth;
yours is the promise, the blessing, the birth.
Ours the rejoicing for Word given frame;
ours the thanksgiving to your holy name.
Ours be the telling of deeds greatly done;
yours be the glory, O God, yours alone.
Glory to you, God, for yours is the earth;
yours the hosannas, the dying, rebirth.
Ours the rejoicing for nature reclaimed;
ours the thanksgiving to your holy name.
Ours be the telling of deeds greatly done;
yours be the glory, O God, yours alone.
Glory to you, God, for yours is the earth;
yours the anointing, the radiant worth.
Ours the rejoicing for spirits aflame;
ours the thanksgiving to your holy name.
Ours be the telling of deeds greatly done;
yours be the glory, O God, yours alone.
PRAYER OF THE DAY.
Let us pray together.
O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the eternal fountain of forgiveness. Replace our hearts of stone with hearts that love and adore you, that we may delight in doing your will, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING:
Genesis 50:15-21
After Jacob’s death the brothers of Joseph begged for forgiveness for the crime they had done against him. You intended to do me harm, Joseph said, but God used this as an opportunity to do good and save many lives.
15 Realizing that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” 16 So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, 17 ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” 19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. 21 So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 103:1-13 (We will sing the Psalm responsively by whole verse.)
Psalm Refrain
Bless the Lord, my soul, and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul, who leads me into life.
1 Bless the Lord, | O my soul,
and all that is within me, bless God’s | holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, | O my soul,
and forget not | all God’s benefits—
3 who forgives | all your sins
and heals all | your diseases;
4 who redeems your life | from the grave
and crowns you with steadfast | love and mercy; R
5 who satisfies your desires | with good things
so that your youth is renewed | like an eagle’s.
6 O Lord, you provide | vindication
and justice for all who | are oppressed.
7 You made known your | ways to Moses
and your works to the chil- | dren of Israel.
8 Lord, you are full of compas- | sion and mercy,
slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love; R
9 you will not al- | ways accuse us,
nor will you keep your an- | ger forever.
10 You have not dealt with us according | to our sins,
nor repaid us according to | our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high a- | bove the earth,
so great is your steadfast love for | those who fear you.
12 As far as the east is | from the west,
so far have you removed our transgres- | sions from us.
13 As a father has compassion | for his children,
so you have compassion for those who fear | you, O Lord. R
SECOND READING:
Romans 14:1-12
1 Welcome those who are weak in faith but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2 Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3 Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat, for God has welcomed them. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on slaves of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6 Those who observe the day, observe it for the Lord. Also those who eat, eat for the Lord, since they give thanks to God, while those who abstain, abstain for the Lord and give thanks to God.
7 For we do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8 If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.”
12 So then, each one of us will be held accountable.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (sing twice)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 4:12-25
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 18th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
21 Peter came and said to [Jesus,] “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25 and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Dr. Olga-Maria Cruz
Silence is kept for reflection.
HYMN OF THE DAY
Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive
ELW 605
'Forgive our sins as we forgive,"
you taught us, Lord, to pray;
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.
How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?
In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly knew:
how trifling others' debts to us;
how great our debt to you!
Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
and bid resentment cease;
then, by your mercy reconciled,
our lives will spread your peace.
APOSTLE’S CREED
We now profess the faith we share using the words of the 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 INTERCESSION
Remembering the caring and generous works of God, we pray for the church, creation, and the needs of our neighbors.
A brief silence.
We pray for the church. Bless the missions and ministries of diverse congregations, that they uplift the good news of salvation in ways that can be understood. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suárez, and our synod staff.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We pray for creation. Send rain to lands experiencing drought and healing to rivers clogged with pollution. Enrich the soil for trees and plants. Protect the crops needed to feed those who hunger.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We pray for all who govern. Encourage those in positions of power to lead with empathy, practice forgiveness, and care for those who struggle.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We pray for our neighbors who face illness of any kind. For those strained financially; for all living with chronic pain, mental illness, the disease of addiction, or otherwise afraid or in harm’s way. Protect all who cry out for mercy, especially Mary, Anne, Mabel, June, Willah, Julie, Christen, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Philip, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Rich, Wil, Amy, Al, Al, Sharon, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, Michael, Art, John, Abby, Colline, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Natalie, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
We pray for this congregation. Open our hearts to practice intentional invitation. Help us to forgive each other, practice patience, and choose welcome over judgement. Move us to care for those in our community seeking refuge and safety.
Merciful God, receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give thanks for the saints who died in faith. Show us how to live faithfully, creatively, and lovingly in your church and world.
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.
SHARING OF THE PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always.
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.
OFFERTORY
You Are My All in All
Dennis Jernigan
OFFERING SONG (sing twice)
If We Live, We Live to the Lord
ACS 1025
If we live, we live to the Lord.
If we die, we die to the Lord.
So then, whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord's.
OFFERING PRAYER
God of creation,
you send rain and the earth springs forth abundantly.
All blessings are from you;
make us generous with what we have.
Use our gifts and our abilities,
and turn our hearts
to service to you
and love to our neighbors,
today and always.
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 Lord,
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
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 handed over,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks.
He 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 honor and glory, now and forever.
Amen.
LORD'S PRAYER (sung)
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, in 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 trials
and deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
are yours. Now and forever.
Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Christ invites you to this table.
All who are thirsty, all who are hungry, come!
Thanks be to God.
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 communion rail where we receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Gluten free bread and grape juice are 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.
COMMUNION HYMNS
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.
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.
POST-COMMUNION BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray.
Sustaining God, with this bread and cup,
you nourish us with mercy and abundant life.
By your Spirit, send us from this table to serve a needy world.
Make us living signs of your liberation, healing, and love,
following the way of Jesus, in whose name we pray.
Amen.
+ SENDING +
SENDING HYMN
God's Work, Our Hands
ACS 1000
God's work, our hands: working together,
building a future, repairing the world,
raising up homes, planting new gardens,
feeding the hungry and shelt'ring the cold.
Bless, God, our hands as we work in your name,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
God's work, our feet: trav'ling together,
following Jesus to places unknown,
walking as friends, marching for freedom,
running the race with God's future the goal.
Bless, God, our feet as we follow your way,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
God's work, our voice: singing together,
praising, proclaiming to all who will hear,
praying for peace, shouting for justice,
claiming God's love for the lost and the least.
Bless, God, our voice as we speak in your name,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
God is at work in and around us:
seedlings are sprouting and bread's on the rise!
Washed and set free, humbled and honored,
gifted by grace, we respond in God's love.
Bless, God, our lives as we answer your call,
sharing the good news of your gospel.
BENEDICTION
The God of love
draw you into full accord and one mind,
in the body of Christ Jesus.
Amen.
The God of hope
grant you strength and joy in all circumstances
through the interceding of the Spirit.
Amen.
The God of grace
bless you now and forever.
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go out in joy. Be led forth in peace.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
How Great is Our God
Tomlin, Reeves, & Cash
Liturgical Text and Music from Evangelical Lutheran Worship and All Creation Sings, © 2006, 2020, 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies License #SAS016761. All rights reserved.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Martin Luther's Morning Prayer, Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546, Public domain, paraphrase by Carl Schalk © 2011 Carl Schalk, Music: Carl Schalk, 1929-2021, Music © 2011 Carl Schalk, Text and music admin Birnamwood Publications, div. MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
All Creatures, Worship God Most High, Text: Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226; tr. composite Music: Geistliche Kirchengesänge, Köln, 1623. Public domain.
Bless the Lord, Text: Taizé Community, Music: Jacques Berthier, 1923-1994. Text and music © 1991 Les Presses de Taizé, GIA Publications Inc., agent. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive. Text: Rosamond E. Herklots, 1905-1987, alt. Text © 1969 Oxford University Press. Text reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: The Sacred Harp, Philadelphia, 1844. Public domain.
You Are My All in All, Words and music: Dennis Jernigan, b. 1959. Words and music © 1991 Shepherd's Heart Music, Inc. Words and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
If We Live, We Live in the Lord, Text and Music: Rolf Vegdahl, b. 1955. Text and Music © 2009, 2016 Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Lord's Prayer (major key version), Music: Jack S. Upton, Jr., 1944-2013, Used by permission.
Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace, Text: Olive Wise Spannaus, 1916-2018, alt. Text © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Music: Šamotulský Kancionál, 1561. Arr. © Concordia Publishing House. 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.
God's Work, Our Hands, Text: Wayne L. Wold, b. 1954. Music: David N. Johnson, 1922-1987. Text © 2019 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, admin. Augsburg Fortress, Music © 1968 Augsburg Publishing House, admin.Augsburg Fortress. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
How Great Is Our God, Words and Music: Chris Tomlin, b. 1972, Jesse Reeves, Ed Cash, b. 1971. Words and Music © 2004 worshiptogether.com songs | sixsteps Music | Alletrop Music. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
How Great Thou Art, Text: Carl G. Boberg, 1859-1940; tr. and adapt. Stuart K. Hine, 1899-1989. Music: Swedish folk tune; adapt. Stuart K. Hine. Text & Music © 1949 and 1953, The Stuart Hine Trust, admin. Hope Publishing Company. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
