19th Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
Gathering
Brief Order for Confession and Forgiveness
Please stand as you are able. The sign of the cross may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism.
P: In the name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.
P: Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
P: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Please kneel or sit as you are able.
Silence for reflection and self-examination.
P: Most merciful God,
C: we confess that we are in bondage 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.
The minister stands and addresses the congregation.
P: 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.
C: Amen.
Please stand as you are able.
Opening Hymn #446 (green hymnal)
“Whatever God Ordains Is Right”
1 Whatever God ordains is right;
his will is just and holy.
He holds us in his perfect might;
in him, our lives are godly.
He is our God and all we need,
the Father who preserves us still;
to him we bend each heart and will.
2 Whatever God ordains is right,
and he will not deceive us.
He leads us in the way of light
and will not ever leave us.
In him we rest, who makes the best
of all the stumbling turns we take
and loves us for his mercy’s sake.
3 Whatever God ordains is right;
all that he does is for us.
He heals our souls and gives us sight
and puts no ill before us.
Our God is true; he makes us new;
our lives are built upon his rock,
our cornerstone and building block.
4 Whatever God ordains is right;
he guides our joy and sadness.
He is our life and blessed light;
in him alone is gladness.
We see his face, the way of grace;
he holds us in his mighty arm
and keeps us safe from ev’ry harm.
Greeting
P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.
Hymn of Praise: Hymn #606 (blue hymnal)
“Glory to God” (Liturgy of Joy)
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
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.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
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.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
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.
Glory to God in the highest. Amen, amen.
Prayer of the Day
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for all this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Let us pray.
Bless Chet, O Lord, as he reads to us the scriptures. As rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return until the earth is watered, let your word not return empty, but accomplish your purpose and succeed in that for which it was sent; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Please be seated.
First Reading: Genesis 32:22-31
22 The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. 24 Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” 31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody
“Upward I Lift Mine Eyes” (Psalm 121)
1 Upward I lift mine eyes,
From God is all my aid;
The God who built the skies,
And earth and nature made,
God is the Tower
To which I fly;
His grace is nigh
In every hour.
2 My feet shall never slide
And fall in fatal snares,
Since God, my Guard and Guide,
Defends me from my fears.
Those wakeful eyes
That never sleep
Shall Israel keep
When dangers rise.
3 No burning heats by day,
Nor blasts of evening air,
Shall take my health away,
If God be with me there.
Thou art my Sun,
And Thou my Shade,
To guard my head
By night or noon.
4 Hast Thou not given Thy word
To save my soul from death?
And I can trust my Lord
To keep my mortal breath.
I’ll go and come,
Nor fear to die,
Till from on high
Thou call me home.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14–4:5
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, 15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: 2 proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. 5 As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation
♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 17)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the 18th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. 3 In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ 4 For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? 8 I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
P: The Gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Please be seated.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon: “Tenacious Prayer and Persistent Faith”
Silence for reflection and meditation.
Hymn of the Day #453 (green hymnal)
“If You But Trust in God to Guide You”
1 If you but trust in God to guide you
and place your confidence in him,
you’ll find him always there beside you,
to give you hope and strength within.
For those who trust God’s changeless love
build on the rock that will not move.
2 What gain is there in futile weeping,
in helpless anger and distress?
If you are in his care and keeping,
in sorrow will he love you less?
For he who took for you a cross
will bring you safe through ev’ry loss.
3 In patient trust await his leisure
in cheerful hope, with heart content
to take whate’er your Father’s pleasure
and all-discerning love have sent;
doubt not your inmost wants are known
to him who chose you for his own.
4 Sing, pray, and keep his ways unswerving,
offer your service faithfully,
and trust his word; though undeserving,
you’ll find his promise true to be.
God never will forsake in need
the soul that trusts in him indeed.
Please stand as you are able.
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again 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.
The Prayers
A: Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and for all people according to their needs.
After each petition:
A: Lord, in your mercy,
C: Hear our prayer.
After the last petition:
A: Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Peace
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The ministers and congregation may greet one another with a gesture of peace.
Offering
Offertory: Hymn #292 (maroon hymnal)
“Give Thanks”
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
Give thanks with a grateful heart,
give thanks to the Holy One,
give thanks because he’s given Jesus Christ, his Son.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,”
let the poor say, “I am rich,”
because of what the Lord has done for us.
And now let the weak say, “I am strong,”
let the poor say, “I am rich,”
because of what the Lord has done for us.
Give thanks!
Please stand as you are able.
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: Blessed are you, O Lord our God, maker of all things. Through your goodness you have blessed us with these gifts. With them we offer ourselves to your service and dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that you have made, for the sake of him who gave himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Meal
Dialogue
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
P: It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, holy Father, through Christ our Lord; 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 the Church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
Sanctus: Hymn #616a (blue hymnal)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power 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.
P: You are indeed holy, O God, the fountain of all holiness; you bring light from darkness, life from death, speech from silence.
We worship you for our lives and for the world you give us. We thank you for the new world to come and for the love that will rule all in all. We praise you for the grace shown to Israel, your chosen, the people of your promise: the rescue from Egypt, the gift of the promised land, the memory of the ancestors, the homecoming from exile, and the prophets’ words that will not be in vain.
In all this we bless you for your only-begotten Son, who fulfilled and will fulfill all your promises.
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.
C: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
P: Therefore, O God, with this bread and cup we remember the incarnation of your Son: his human birth and the covenant he made with us. We remember the sacrifice of his life: his eating with outcasts and sinners, and his acceptance of death. But chiefly we remember his rising from the tomb, his ascension to the seat of power, and his sending of the holy and life-giving Spirit.
We cry out for the resurrection of our lives, when Christ will come again in beauty and power to share with us the great and promised feast.
C: Amen, amen. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
P: Send now, we pray, your Holy Spirit, that we and all who share in this bread and cup may be united in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, may enter the fullness of the kingdom of heaven, and may receive our inheritance with all your saints in light.
C: Amen, amen. Come, Holy Spirit, come.
P: Join our prayers with those of your servants of every time and every place, and unite them with the ceaseless petitions of our great high priest until he comes as victorious Lord of all.
Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, almighty Father, now and forever.
C: Amen, amen, amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
P: Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
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.
Invitation to Communion
P: In Christ’s presence there is fullness of joy. Come to the banquet.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
♫ WOV Setting 4
(blue hymnal, p. 25)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
have mercy on us, have mercy on us, have mercy.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
grant us peace.
Communion
P: The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
Those who wish to commune at the altar rail may either bring forward their individual Communion kit, or receive the wafer and wine/grape juice by intinction (dipping) from the Communion Ministers, when they are directed forward by the usher. Those who wish to commune in their seat with their individual Communion kit may remain seated.
Communion Hymn
“All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly”
1 All who hunger gather gladly;
holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wand’ring.
Here in truth we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness,
all around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
2 All who hunger, never strangers;
seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming.
Here in joy we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered
in communion’s love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
3 All who hunger, sing together,
Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing.
Here in peace we have been fed.
Blest are those who from this table
live their days in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal.
Taste and see that God is good.
Communion Hymn
“Bread of Life from Heaven”
Refrain
Bread of life from heaven,
your blood and body given,
we eat this bread and drink this cup
until you come again.
1 Break now the bread of Christ’s sacrifice;
giving thanks, hungry ones, gather round.
Eat, all of you, and be satisfied;
in Christ’s presence the loaves will abound. Refrain
2 Seek not the food that will pass away;
set your hearts on the food that endures.
Come, learn the true and the living way,
that the fullness of life may be yours. Refrain
3 Love as the one who, in love for you,
gave himself for the life of the world.
Come to the one who is food for you,
that your hunger and thirst be no more. Refrain
4 Dwell in the one who now dwells in you;
make your home in the lifegiving Word.
Know only Christ, Holy One of God,
and believe in the truth you have heard. Refrain
5 Drink of this cup and declare his death;
eat this bread and believe Easter morn;
trust his return and, with ev’ry breath,
praise the one in whom you are reborn. Refrain
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Post-Communion Canticle: Hymn #624 (blue hymnal)
“Now, Lord” (Detroit Folk Mass)
Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of all people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.
Post-Communion Prayer
A: Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Please stand as you are able.
Blessing
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #433 (green hymnal)
“The Church of Christ, in Every Age” v. 1-3
1 The church of Christ, in ev’ry age
beset by change, but Spirit-led,
must claim and test its heritage
and keep on rising from the dead.
2 Across the world, across the street,
the victims of injustice cry
for shelter and for bread to eat,
and never live before they die.
3 Then let the servant church arise,
a caring church that longs to be
a partner in Christ’s sacrifice,
and clothed in Christ’s humanity.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor ** away
The Rev. Bob Browning, Presiding Minister
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
John Cathcart, Assisting Minister
Chet Laine, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, October 16: 19 Pentecost
9 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
Monday, October 17
7 pm Council meeting
Tuesday, October 18
5:30 pm Confirmation Class
Saturday, October 22
12 pm Fall Festival setup
2 pm Fall Festival
Sunday, October 23: 20 Pentecost
9 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship (in-person / livestreamed)
After worship: Quarterly Congregational Meeting
Monday, October 24
**Epistle articles deadline**
Tuesday, October 25
6:30 pm Venture Scouts
Thursday, October 27
6 pm Scouts BSA
Copyright Notices
Whatever God Ordains Is Right: Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Glory to God: Music by James Capers © 1993 Augsburg Fortress.
If You But Trust in God to Guide You: Text © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly: Text by Sylvia G. Dunstan © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Arr. © 2003 Augsburg Fortress
Bread of Life from Heaven: Text by Susan R. Briehl and music by Marty Haugen © 2001 by GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Now, Lord (Detroit Folk Mass): Music by Tillis Butler and James Harris © 1986 Fortress Press, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
The Church of Christ, in Every Age: Text by Fred Pratt Green © 1971 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Hymns/anthems: Music reprinted and streamed by permission under ONE LICENSE #A‐726103 and CCLI Licenses #21045423 and #21045416. All rights reserved.
Liturgical texts and service music: From SundaysandSeasons.com. Copyright © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.