—focus on Gratitude (Sept 24-Oct 22)
This Liturgy of Growth is drawn from many sources, edited by Dr DJ Cheek. Prelude
*** Love, Pray, Gather, Serve *** Welcome stand
P: WebeginourworshipgratefulthatGodhascalledusbynameandmadeushissonsand daughters.
C: We begin in the Name of Yahweh: Father, Son +, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
P: TheLordbewithyou.
C: And also with you.
A Thanksgiving Liturgy
P: EternalandrighteousFather,youcreatedtheheavensandtheearth,andwegiveyouthanks:
C: For breath that fills us with life,
P: forlovethatsoftensourhearts,
C: for the beauty all around us.
P: Christ,redeemingandforgivingSon,youarealwaysfaithfulandmercifultous.
C: We give you thanks, for resurrection power, transforming our lives,
P: Forpeacecalmingoursouls,
C: For hope that restores our faith.
P: Spirit,sustainingandcompassionate,youevercallustoLifeinthelivingGod.
C: We give you thanks, for caring when our hearts ache,
P: Forconsolingus,whenwedon’tknowwhattosay,orhowtopray,
C: for your generosity, lavish and overflowing!
P: Godwhocreatedtheearthandtheheavens,wegathertogethertogiveyouthanks,
C: We are full of gratitude, and we give you thanks… (especially for…all are invited to speak their thanks)
P: Fortheuniverseimmenseandunknown,fortheearth,forhumanitybearingyourimage.
C: Thanks and praise to you, Eternal Father our creator.
P: Forenteringhumanhistoryasoneofus,forthesacrificeofthecross,forrisinganewsowecouldlive.
C: Thanks and praise to you, Christ our redeemer,
P: Foryourindwellingpresence,foryourguidanceanddirection,fordrawingustogetherasone body.
C: Thanks and praise to you, Holy Spirit our sustainer.
P: Throughyourlovewearerenewed,throughyourabidingpresencewebecomeonecommunity.
C: Thanks and praise to God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer now and evermore. Amen. Psalm 95:1-7
AM: Ohcome,letussingtotheLORD;letusmakeajoyfulnoisetotherockofoursalvation!
C: We come into his presence with thanksgiving; we make a joyful noise to him!
AM: FortheLORDisagreatGod,andagreatKingaboveallgods.
C: In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also.
AM: Theseaishis,forhemadeit,andhishandsformedthedryland.
C: Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
AM: ForheisourGod,andwearethepeopleofhispasture,
C: We are the sheep of his hand.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
AM: LetusjoinourheartsingratitudeonthisdayforallGodhasgivenus.Werememberallofthose whodonothaveenough,whoareafraid,whoarelonely,andwhosuffer.
C: We wish for the abundance of this world to be shared, for fear to become love, for the lonely to feel welcomed, and for the suffering to know rest and joy.
AM: Forthework,thelove,thecarethatgaveusthedelightsofthisandeveryday,wesay “Thanks!”
C: For the nourishment of our spirit, the challenges that strengthen us, and the friends we have on the journey, we say “ Thanks!”
AM: Forallthatisours,wesay, “Thanks!”
C: Amen. (adapted from N King) Confession and Absolution
P: GraciousCreator,youhavegivenussomuch,buttoooftenwetakethosegiftsforgranted.
C: You call us to live in caring community, but too often we place our wants and needs first, with those of others a distant second.
P: Youcallustoshareyourgiftswiththosearoundus,butweareworriedthattheremaynotbe enough,andourworryinggetsinthewayofoursharing.
C: For all the times when we mistreat and misuse your gifts, for all the times we assume that we get what we have by ourselves, forgive us and lead us back to the path of wisdom.
P: Godisagraciousgiver.Godisgenerousinhisforgiveness.Hecallsustonewlife.Youareforgiven in theHolyNameofYahweh,generousandmerciful:Father,Son+,andHolySpirit!
C: Thanks be to God! Amen.
Prayer of the Day
LP: God of all who wander in the wilderness, you go before us as beacon and guide. Lead us through all danger, sustain us through all desolation, and bring us home to the land you have prepared for us.
C: Amen.
Readings
L: TheOldTestamentreadingisfrom Exodus 16:2-15 Pray,watch,andbethankful. (Col4:2)
L: ThewholecongregationoftheIsraelitescomplainedagainstMosesandAaroninthe wilderness.TheIsraelitessaidtothem,“IfonlywehaddiedbythehandoftheLORDinthelandof Egypt,whenwesatbythefleshpotsandateourfillofbread;foryouhavebroughtusoutintothis wildernesstokillthiswholeassemblywithhunger.”ThentheLORDsaidtoMoses,“Iamgoingto rainbreadfromheavenforyou,andeachdaythepeopleshallgooutandgatherenoughforthat day.InthatwayIwilltestthem,whethertheywillfollowmyinstructionornot.Onthesixthday, whentheypreparewhattheybringin,itwillbetwiceasmuchastheygatheronotherdays.”So MosesandAaronsaidtoalltheIsraelites,“IntheeveningyoushallknowthatitwastheLORDwho broughtyououtofthelandofEgypt,andinthemorningyoushallseethegloryoftheLORD, becausehehasheardyourcomplainingagainsttheLORD.Forwhatarewe,thatyoucomplain againstus?”AndMosessaid,“WhentheLORDgivesyoumeattoeatintheeveningandyourfillof breadinthemorning,becausetheLORDhasheardthecomplainingthatyouutteragainsthim whatarewe?YourcomplainingisnotagainstusbutagainsttheLORD.”ThenMosessaidtoAaron,
“SaytothewholecongregationoftheIsraelites,‘DrawneartotheLORD,forhehasheardyour complaining.’”AndasAaronspoketothewholecongregationoftheIsraelites,theylookedtoward thewilderness,andthegloryoftheLORDappearedinthecloud.TheLORDspoketoMosesand said,“IhaveheardthecomplainingoftheIsraelites;saytothem,‘Attwilightyoushalleatmeat, andinthemorningyoushallhaveyourfillofbread;thenyoushallknowthatIamtheLORDyour God.’”Intheeveningquailscameupandcoveredthecamp;andinthemorningtherewasalayer ofdewaroundthecamp.Whenthelayerofdewlifted,thereonthesurfaceofthewildernesswasa fineflakysubstance,asfineasfrostontheground.WhentheIsraelitessawit,theysaidtoone another,“Whatisit?”Fortheydidnotknowwhatitwas.Mosessaidtothem,“Itisthebreadthat theLORDhasgivenyoutoeat.” …ThisistheWordoftheLord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Ps 145 : 1-8
Iwillexaltyou,my | Godandking, andblessyournameforev- | erandever. Everyday | willIblessyou andpraiseyournameforev- | erandever.
GreatistheLORDandgreatly | tobepraised! Thereisnoend | toyourgreatness. Onegenerationshallpraiseyourworks | toanother andshallde- | clareyourpower.
Iwillspeakoftheglorioussplendor | ofyourmajesty andallyour | marvelousworks.
Theyshalltellofthemightofyour | wondrousacts, andIwillre- | countyourgreatness.
Theyshallpublishtheremembranceof | yourgreatgoodness; theyshallsingjoyfully | ofyourrighteousness.
TheLORDisgraciousandfull | ofcompassion, slowtoangerandaboundingin | steadfastlove.
L: TheNewTestamentreadingisfrom: Philippians 1:21-30 Pray,watch,andbethankful. (Col4:2)
L: Fortome,livingisChristanddyingisgain.IfIamtoliveintheflesh,thatmeansfruitfullaborfor me;andIdonotknowwhichIprefer.Iamhardpressedbetweenthetwo:mydesireistodepart andbewithChrist,forthatisfarbetter;buttoremaininthefleshismorenecessaryforyou.SinceI amconvincedofthis,IknowthatIwillremainandcontinuewithallofyouforyourprogressand joyinfaith,sothatImayshareabundantlyinyourboastinginChristJesuswhenIcometoyou again.Only,liveyourlifeinamannerworthyofthegospelofChrist,sothat,whetherIcomeand seeyouoramabsentandhearaboutyou,Iwillknowthatyouarestandingfirminonespirit, strivingsidebysidewithonemindforthefaithofthegospel,andareinnowayintimidatedby youropponents.Forthemthisisevidenceoftheirdestruction,butofyoursalvation.Andthisis God’sdoing.ForhehasgraciouslygrantedyoutheprivilegenotonlyofbelievinginChrist,butof sufferingforhimaswell sinceyouarehavingthesamestrugglethatyousawIhadandnowhear thatIstillhave.
…ThisistheWordoftheLord.
C: Thanks be to God.
P: TheGospelreadingisfrom Matthew chapter 20
C: Glory to you, O Lord
P: Jesussays: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)
P: Forthekingdomofheavenislikealandownerwhowentoutearlyinthemorningtohirelaborers forhisvineyard.Afteragreeingwiththelaborersfortheusualdailywage,hesentthemintohis vineyard.Whenhewentoutaboutnineo'clock,hesawothersstandingidleinthe marketplace;andhesaidtothem,'Youalsogointothevineyard,andIwillpayyouwhateveris right.'Sotheywent.Whenhewentoutagainaboutnoonandaboutthreeo'clock,hedidthe same.Andaboutfiveo'clockhewentoutandfoundothersstandingaround;andhesaidtothem, 'Whyareyoustandinghereidleallday?'Theysaidtohim,'Becausenoonehashiredus.'Hesaid tothem,'Youalsogointothevineyard.'Wheneveningcame,theownerofthevineyardsaidtohis manager,'Callthelaborersandgivethemtheirpay,beginningwiththelastandthengoingtothe first.'Whenthosehiredaboutfiveo'clockcame,eachofthemreceivedtheusualdailywage.Now whenthefirstcame,theythoughttheywouldreceivemore;buteachofthemalsoreceivedthe usualdailywage. 11Andwhentheyreceivedit,theygrumbledagainstthelandowner,saying, 'Theselastworkedonlyonehour,andyouhavemadethemequaltouswhohavebornethe burdenofthedayandthescorchingheat.'Butherepliedtooneofthem,'Friend,Iamdoingyouno wrong;didyounotagreewithmefortheusualdailywage?Takewhatbelongstoyouandgo;I choosetogivetothislastthesameasIgivetoyou.AmInotallowedtodowhatIchoosewith whatbelongstome?OrareyouenviousbecauseIamgenerous?'Sothelastwillbefirst,andthe firstwillbelast.”
…ThisistheGospeloftheLord
C: Glory to you, O Christ! sit
SermonAM:WestandtodeclareourfaithinGod.
C: We are not alone, we live in God's world. We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God. We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
AM:RememberingthecaringandgenerousworksofGod,weprayforthechurch,creation, andtheneedsofourneighbors.
Abriefsilence.
AM:AlmightyGod,wethankyouforourfaith.WearegratefulfortheELCALutheran DisasterResponsethatgivescareandhelpswithlong-termrecoveryindisasterareas aroundtheworld.WeprayforBishopEaton,BishopHazelwood,PastorDerek,andothers leadingustolivesofserviceinthespiritofChrist.WeaskyourblessingonourJewish friendswhobeginYomKippur,theholiestdayoftheiryear,atsundown.Lord,inyour mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
AM:HolyGod,yourspiritisinallcreation.Weprayforyourcontinuingcreativepower overtheearthandfordivinemercyforalllivingthings.Strengthenustoworkforan environmentthatsustainslife.Lord,inyourmercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
AM:LovingGod,yourarmsarewideenoughforallpeople.Wepraythoseresponsiblefor leadingthiscountryandallnationswillembraceyourunendinglovethatexcludesnoone fromthetable.Weprayforpeaceandunityintheworld.Lord,inyourmercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
AM:ShelteringGod,youarewiththoseinneedandinpain.Weprayforreliefforpeople sufferingorwhohavediedbecauseofdisastersinLibya,Morocco,andMaui,faminein Sudan,andwarsaroundtheworld.Weaskyourblessingonourfriendswhoareillorin distress,especiallyBob,Paul,Hannah,Nostradamus,Ryan,Al,Jeanne,John,Kelly,Pat,Carol, Tina,Amanda,Judy,Prudence,Peter,andthosewenownameoutloudorinthesilenceof ourhearts.Pause.Weprayforthosewhohavenoonetoprayforthem.Lord,inyourmercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
AM:EverlastingGod,wepraiseyouaswegathertodayatFirstLutheran.Wehaveheard youintheWordandwewillencounteryourspiritintheHolyMeal.Instillinusthe compassionatelovetoserveourneighborsinneed.Weaskyourblessingonthechildrenof ourchurch.Lord,inyourmercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
AM:EternalGod,wegivethanksforsaintscalledtothekingdomofheaven,especially Matthew.Unitedwiththeminspirit,holdusinloveaswelaborinthislifeandlooktothe lifetocome.Weaskyoutoplaceyourcomfortinghandonallwhomourn.Lord,inyour mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
P: Rememberusaccordingtoyoursteadfastloveasweoffertheseandtheprayersofour heart,trustinginyourcompassionmadeknownthroughJesusChrist.
C: Amen. stand The Peace
P: ThepeaceofourbountifulGodbewithyou.
C: And also with you. Amen! We Greet one another with the Peace of Christ
The Children’s collection is donated to a specific ministry or mission which will be announced; If you have a gift for the church please place it in the plate in the Narthex, not the kid’s globe.
The Holy Eucharist
P: TheLordbewithyou.
C: And also with you
P: Liftupyourhearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Letusgive eucharist: thanksgiving,toourGod.
C: It is right to give him our thanks and praise.
P: Itisourjoytogiveyouthanksandpraise,OGod,foratcreationyoufilledtheVoidwithlightand life,withplanetsandstars,withseasandmountains,withbeastsoffieldandairandwater,with menandwomen.Youcalledthosepeopletoheedyourvoice,andattimestheydid,andattimes theydidnot.SointhefullnessoftimeyoucametousinthemanJesus,whocalledwomenand mentofollowhim.
C: We follow him this day and lift our voices in praise for all your generous gifts to us. And so with all the saints and angels, we join our voices singing:
P: We give you
thanksthatourLordJesus,onthenightbeforehedied,tookbread,heblessedit,hebrokeit,and gaveittohisdisciples,saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in memory of me.
C: Thank you Lord for facing our greatest enemy: Death.
P: Inthesamewayhetookthecup,saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, remember me.
C: Thank you Lord that because of your death and resurrection we will live forever.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: OGod,sendyourSpirituponourheartsandonthesegiftsofbreadandwine,transformingthem intoasacredmeal.Satisfyourhungerandthirst,andsendusintotheworldtobeartheburdensof others.WejoinourheartsinprayingasJesustaughtus…
C: 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.
AM:
Rememberingallyourmightyandmercifulacts,wetakethisbreadandthiswine,and celebratewithjoytheredemptionwonforusinJesusChrist.Acceptoursacrificeofpraiseasa holyoffering,thatourlivesmayproclaimJesusChrist.
C: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory. Amen.
AM: Allthingsareready,wewelcomeallwhoaregratefulforGod’smanytoustocome,andreceive yetmoreblessingfromhisholyhands.
If you have need of gluten free bread, please come first to receive
Pleaseforma“circle”onthetransitionbetweenthetwoshadesofcarpet
Thewineisofferedbothforintinction(dipping),orinacommonchalicefordrinking. You are welcome to light a candle in the middle window after you have received Communion
Prayer after Communion
AM: Lord,wegiveyouthanksforallyourblessings.Wehavebeenfilledwiththisbreadandwine, ourheartsoverflowwithgratefulnessforyourloveandmercy.
C: Thank you Lord, Amen.
Benediction
P: Brothersandsisters,rejoice!Comfortoneanother,agreewithoneanother,liveinpeace;andthe Godofloveandpeacewillbewithyou. (2Co13:11)
C: Amen.
Announcements
AM:DepartinthePeaceofGod.
C: Thanks be to God!
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