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Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost

Prelude

Gathering

Confession and Forgiveness

Please stand as you are able. All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

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:  Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Please kneel or sit as you are able. Silence is kept for reflection.

P:  Most merciful God,

C:  we confess that we are captive 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.

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.

Entrance Hymn #136 (maroon hymnal)

“We Have Come into This House”

1  We have come into this house
and gathered in his name to worship him.
We have come into this house
and gathered in his name to worship him.
We have come into this house
and gathered in his name to worship Christ, the Lord;
worship him, Christ the Lord.

2  So forget about yourself
and concentrate on him and worship him.
So forget about yourself
and concentrate on him and worship him.
So forget about yourself
and concentrate on him and worship Christ, the Lord;
worship him, Christ the Lord.

3  Let us lift up holy hands
and magnify his name and worship him.
Let us lift up holy hands
and magnify his name and worship him.
Let us lift up holy hands
and magnify his name and worship Christ, the Lord;
worship him, Christ the Lord.

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.

Kyrie

♫ ELW Setting 8

Refrain
Kyrie eleison, on our world and on our way,
Kyrie eleison, ev’ry day.

  For peace in the world, for the health of the church, for the unity of all;
for this holy house, for all who worship and praise,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord  Refrain

  That we may live out your impassioned response to the hungry and the poor;
that we may live out truth and justice and grace,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord  Refrain

  For peace in our hearts, for peace in our homes, for friends and family;
for life and for love, for our work and our play,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord  Refrain

  For your Spirit to guide; that you center our lives in the water and the Word;
that you nourish our souls with your body and blood,
let us pray to the Lord, let us pray to the Lord  Refrain

Canticle of Praise

♫ ELW Setting 8

This is the feast of vict’ry for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength,
and honor, blessing, and glory are his.
This is the feast of vict’ry for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of vict’ry for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign. Alleluia.

Prayer of the Day

P:  The Lord be with you.

C:  And also with you.

P:  Let us pray.
Sovereign God, raise your throne in our hearts. Created by you, let us live in your image; created for you, let us act for your glory; redeemed by you, let us give you what is yours, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

C:  Amen.

The Word

Blessing of the Lector

P:  Let us pray.
Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from you. Bless Kathy, who will read to us the scriptures. Make us hunger for the Word of life, Jesus Christ our Lord.

C:  Amen.

Please be seated.

First Lesson: Isaiah 45:1-7

¹ Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus,
 whose right hand I have grasped
to subdue nations before him
 and strip kings of their robes,
to open doors before him—
 and the gates shall not be closed:
² I will go before you
 and level the mountains,
I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
 and cut through the bars of iron,
³ I will give you the treasures of darkness
 and riches hidden in secret places,
so that you may know that it is I, the Lord,
 the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
⁴ For the sake of my servant Jacob,
 and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
 I surname you, though you do not know me.
⁵ I am the Lord, and there is no other;
 besides me there is no god.
 I arm you, though you do not know me,
⁶ so that they may know, from the rising of the sun
 and from the west, that there is no one besides me;
 I am the Lord, and there is no other.
⁷ I form light and create darkness,
 I make weal and create woe;
 I the Lord do all these things.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Psalmody: #10 (maroon hymnal)

“Let the Heavens Rejoice” (Psalm 96)

Refrain (Leader)
Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad,
rejoice, rejoice, be glad.

Refrain (All)
Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad,
rejoice, rejoice, be glad.

¹ Sing to the Lord | a new song;*
 sing to the Lord, all | the whole earth.
² Sing to the Lord and | bless his name;*
 proclaim the good news of his salvation from | day to day.
³ Declare his glory a- | mong the nations*
 and his wonders a- | mong all peoples.
⁴ For great is the Lord and greatly | to be praised;*
 he is more to be feared | than all gods.

Refrain

⁵ As for all the gods of the nations, they | are but idols;*
 but it is the Lord who | made the heavens.
⁶ Oh, the majesty and magnificence | of his presence!*
 Oh, the power and the splendor of his | sanctuary!
⁷ Ascribe to the Lord, you families | of the peoples;*
 ascribe to the Lord hon- | or and power.
⁸ Ascribe to the Lord the honor | due his name;*
 bring offerings and come in- | to his courts.
⁹ Worship the Lord in the beau- | ty of holiness;*
 let the whole earth trem- | ble before him.

Refrain

¹⁰ Tell it out among the nations: “The | Lord is king!*
 He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved;
 he will judge the peo- | ples with equity.”
¹¹ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
let the sea thunder and all | that is in it;*
 let the field be joyful and all that | is therein.
¹² Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord | when he comes,*
 when he comes to | judge the earth.
¹³ He will judge the | world with righteousness*
 and the peoples | with his truth.

Refrain

Second Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

¹ Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
  To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
  Grace to you and peace.
 ² We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly ³ remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. ⁶ And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, ⁷ so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. ⁸ For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it. ⁹ For the people of those regions report about us what kind of welcome we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath that is coming.

  The word of the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Please stand as you are able.

Gospel Acclamation

♫ ELW Setting 8

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22

P:  The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 22nd chapter.

C:  Glory to you, O Lord.

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. ¹⁶ So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. ¹⁷ Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” ¹⁸ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰ Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” ²¹ They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” ²² When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

P:  The Gospel of the Lord.

C:  Praise to you, O Christ.

Please be seated.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Silence for reflection and meditation.

Hymn of the Day #437 (green hymnal)

“Not Alone for Mighty Empire”

1  Not alone for mighty empire,
Stretching far o’er land and sea;
Not alone for bounteous harvests
Do we praise you gratefully.
Standing in the living present,
Memory and hope between,
Lord, we would with deep thanksgiving
Praise you most for things unseen.

2  Not for battleship and fortress,
Not for conquests of the sword;
But for conquests of the spirit
We give thanks to you, O Lord;
For the heritage of freedom,
For the home, the church, the school;
For the open door to justice
In a land the people rule.

3  For the armies of the faithful,
Those who passed and left no name;
For the glory that illumines
Patriot lives of deathless fame;
For our prophets and apostles,
Loyal to the living Word;
For the strong and free in spirit,
We give thanks to you, O Lord.

4  God of justice, save the people
From the clash of race and creed,
From the strife of class and faction:
Make our nation free indeed.
Keep its faith in simple justice
Strong as when its life began,
Till it find complete fruition
By the guiding of your hand.

Please stand as you are able.

The Apostles’ Creed

A:  Let us confess our common faith with all Christians throughout time and place, using the words of 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.

Prayers of Intercession

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.

The Peace

P:  The peace of Christ be with you always.

C:  And also with you.

The people may greet one another with a sign of Christ’s peace, and may say, “Peace be with you,” or similar words.

Please be seated.

Gathering of Statement of Intent Cards

Special Music

“Light of Hope”
Mark Patterson

Kathryn Keith, soloist

Please stand as you are able.

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!

Offering Prayer and Dedication of Statement of Intent Cards

P:  Lord of all creation, we know that all we have comes from your loving hand. We dedicate these Statement of Intent Cards, our offering today, and our offerings in the coming year to you. Set us free from the love of money and the fear of the future. Help us to be trustworthy and to trust that you will give us all that we need and work through all that we give.

C:  Give us grace to honor you with all of our being: draw our hearts to you, guide our minds, fill our imaginations, and control our wills so that we may be wholly yours. Use us as you will, always to your glory and to shine the Light Of Hope in Jesus Christ to all people. 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, 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

♫ ELW Setting 8

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.

P:  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.

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: Jesus invites you to this table. Come, eat and live.

Please be seated.

Agnus Dei

♫ ELW Setting 8

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, Lamb of God.

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 #205 (green hymnal)

“Now the Silence”

Communion Hymn #415 (green hymnal)

“God of Grace and God of Glory”

1  God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient church’s story;
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.

2  Lo! The hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days,

3  Cure your children’s warring madness;
bend our pride to your control;
shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
lest we miss your kingdom’s goal,
let we miss your kingdom’s goal.

4  Save us from weak resignation
to the evils we deplore;
let the gift of your salvation
be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
serving you whom we adore,
serving you whom we adore.

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.
We give you thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us through the healing power of this gift of life. In your mercy, strengthen us through this gift, in faith toward you and in fervent love toward one another; for the sake of 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 #526 (green hymnal)

“Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

1  Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise!

2  Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3  To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
in all life thou livest, the true life of all;
we blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4  Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all laud we would render; oh, help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee!

Dismissal

A:  Go in peace. Serve the Lord.

C:  Thanks be to God.

Postlude

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Worship Leaders

The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Addy Kruse, Assisting Minister
Kathy Hirt, Reader

Upcoming Events

Copyright Notices

We Have Come into His House: Text and music by Bruce Ballinger © 1976 Sound III, Inc. admin. MCA Music Publishing.

Let the Heavens Rejoice: Refrain © 1999 Augsburg Fortress; tone © 1997 Augsburg Fortress.

Not Alone for Mighty Empire: Music by George H. Day © 1966 The Church Pension Fund.

Light of Hope: Text and music by Mark Patterson © 2011 Choristers Guild. All rights reserved.

Give Thanks: Text and music by Henry Smith © 1978 Integrity’s Hosanna! Music/ASCAP. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured.

Now the Silence: Text by Jaroslav J. Vajda and music by Carl F. Schalk © 1969 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

God of Grace and God of Glory: Arr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Now, Lord (Detroit Folk Mass): Music by Tillis Butler and James Harris © 1986 Fortress Press, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

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 © 2023 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.