ORDER OF WORSHIP
Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost
October 11, 2026
In Isaiah we are given a vision of the great feast to come, when God will wipe away death forever. In Jesus’ parable about a great banquet, those invited do not come, so the invitation is extended to others. In our liturgy God spreads a table before us. Even amid anxiety and hardship we rejoice in the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. With great joy we feast at the table of the Lord, and we go forth to share the wonderful invitation with others hungering and thirsting for the abundant life of God.
+ GATHERING +
WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
PRELUDE
Yours Lord, Is The Glory
Traditional
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
Son of God, Eternal Savior
ELW 655
Son of God, eternal Savior,
source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
hallows all our human race,
you our head, who, throned in glory,
for your own will ever plead:
fill us with your love and pity,
heal our wrong, and help our need.
As you, Lord, have lived for others,
so may we for others live.
Freely have your gifts been granted;
freely may your servants give.
Yours the gold and yours the silver,
yours the wealth of land and sea;
we but stewards of your bounty
held in solemn trust will be.
Come, O Christ, and reign among us,
King of love and Prince of peace;
hush the storm of strife and passion,
bid its cruel discords cease.
By your patient years of toiling,
by your silent hours of pain,
quench our fevered thirst of pleasure,
stem our selfish greed of gain.
Son of God, eternal Savior,
source of life and truth and grace,
Word made flesh, whose birth among us
hallows all our human race:
by your praying, by your willing
that your people should be one,
grant, oh, grant our hope's fruition:
here on earth your will be done.
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
PRAYER OF THE DAY.
Let us pray together.
Lord of the feast,
you have prepared a table before all peoples
and poured out your life with abundance.
Call us again to your banquet.
Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure,
and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace,
through Jesus Christ,
our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
+ WORD +
FIRST READING:
Isaiah 25:1-9
1 O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
2 For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of foreigners is a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
4 For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
5 the noise of foreigners like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
7 And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the covering that is spread over all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
9 It will be said on that day,
“See, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM 23 (We will sing the Psalm responsively by whole verse.)
Psalm Refrain
The Lord’s my shep-herd; I’ll not want. I shall have no fear.
1 The Lord | is my shepherd;
I shall not | be in want.
2 The Lord makes me lie down | in green pastures
and leads me be- | side still waters.
3 You restore my | soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways | for your name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall | fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they | comfort me. R
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence | of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is | running over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days | of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the | Lord forever. R
SECOND READING:
Romans 14:1-12
Philippians 4:1-9
1 My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
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 12:1-14
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 12th chapter:
Glory to you, O Lord.
1 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.” 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 How he entered the house of God, and they ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests? 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are guiltless? 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
9 He left that place and entered their synagogue; 10 a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?” so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
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
The Trumpets Sound, the Angels Sing
ELW 531
APOSTLES' 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
Seeking the Spirit of God who makes all things new, we pray for the church and the world.
A brief silence.
Holy God, we remember your promise of unity on your holy mountain. Empower the World Council of Churches and all those working across religious difference, that the world may know your undivided love. Please bless presiding Bishop Curry, Bishop Suárez, and our synod staff.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We remember your promise of green pastures and quiet waters. Preserve all places of natural beauty and restore our relationship with the land.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We remember your promise not to abandon us amid storm and disaster. Renew all communities facing disasters and give your courage to those leading relief efforts.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We remember your promise to wipe away every tear. Heal and console all who are sick or suffering, especially Mary, Anne, Mabel, June, Willah, Rickey, Julie, Carol, Judy, Jeff, Gloria, Brian, James & Gray, Wil, Amy, Al, Al, Bob & Jane, Scott, Lynda, Ron & Flo, Barbara, Monica, Avery, Art, John, Abby, Colline, Tim, Arleen & Richard, Betty, Linda, Sue, Natalie, Henry, Glenn, Gary, Connie, Greg, Beverly & Ray, Helen & Ron, and Max.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We remember your promise of a banquet open to all people. Challenge this congregation to open wide our doors and welcome everyone to the table.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We remember your promise to swallow up death forever. We give thanks for those who have gone before us. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Trusting in your boundless grace, O God, we lift up these spoken prayers and those in our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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
When We Eat This Bread
Thomas Keesecker
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
Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table
ACS 977
Look who gathers at Christ's table!
Hear the stories that they bring.
Some are weeping; some are laughing;
some have songs they want to sing.
Others ask why they're invited,
burdened by the wrong they've done.
Christ insists they all are welcome.
There is room for ev'ryone.
Clouds of light surround the table;
ancient followers appear,
saints confessing how they wrestled
with their guilt, their doubt and fear.
Peter tells of his denying
Christ was ever in his sight;
Paul relates his fruitless efforts
to obliterate the light.
Their sad stories are repeated
in a thousand diff'rent ways,
but they share one thing in common:
they all end in thanks and praise
for the host who has invited
north and south and east and west
to converge around this table,
where all life is fed and blest.
Bring your joy and bring your sadness,
and prepare to be surprised
by the host whose hands are wounded,
who will open wide your eyes
when he blesses bread and breaks it—
truth and manna from above!—
and then passes wine that wakens
in your heart the taste of love.
Come With Us, O Blessed Jesus
ELW 501
Come with us, O blessed Jesus,
with us evermore to be.
And, in leaving now thine altar,
let us nevermore leave thee!
Let thy bright celestial chorus
never cease the heav'nly strain;
but in us, thy loving children,
come with peace, good will to reign.
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
Sent Forth by God’s Blessing
ELW 547
Sent forth by God's blessing,
our true faith confessing,
the people of God from this dwelling take leave.
The supper is ended.
Oh, now be extended
the fruits of this service in all who believe.
The seed of Christ's teaching,
receptive souls reaching,
shall blossom in action for God and for all.
Your grace shall incite us,
your love shall unite us
to work for your kingdom and answer your call.
With praise and thanksgiving
to God ever-living,
the tasks of our ev'ryday life we will face—
our faith ever sharing,
in love ever caring,
embracing God's children, the whole human race.
With your feast you feed us,
with your light now lead us;
unite us as one in this life that we share.
Then may all the living
with praise and thanksgiving
give honor to Christ and his name that we bear.
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
All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises
Paul Baloche
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.
Yours, Lord, Is the Glory. Traditional, tr Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923. Tr © 1998 Augsburg Fortress. Music: Traditional, Public domain. Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Son of God, Eternal Savior, Text: Somerset C. Lowry, 1855-1932. Music: Oude en Nieuwe Hollantse Boerenlities en Contradansen, 1710; arr. Julius Röntgen, 1855-1932. Public domain.
Psalm 23 Refrain, based on The Lord's My Shepherd, Music: James L. Macbeth Bain; arr. Gordon Jacob, 1895-1984. Arr. © Oxford University Press. Music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
The Trumpets Sound, The Angels Sing, Text and music: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950. Text and music © 1989 Make Way Music, admin. by Music Services. 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.
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.
Look Who Gathers at Christ’s Table, Text: Thomas H. Troeger, 1945-2022. Text © 2002 Oxford University Press. Music: Michael Corzine, b. 1947. Music © 2000 Michael Corzine, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved.
Come With Us, O Blessed Jesus, Text: John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1820–1891. Music: Johann Schop, 1600–1665; arr. Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685–1750. Public domain.
Sent Forth by God's Blessing, Text: Omer Westendorf, 1916-1997, alt.Text © 1964 World Library Publications, Text Reprinted and/or streamed with permission under OneLicense #A-722274. All rights reserved. Music: Welsh folk tune. Public domain.
All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises, Words and Music: Paul Baloche, © 2003 Integrity's Hosanna! Music. Text and music reprinted and/or streamed with permission under CCLI License # 2241477. All rights reserved.
