Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Prelude
Gathering
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 is kept for reflection.
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.
P: Almighty God, in his mercy, has given his Son to die for us and, for his sake, 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 #245 (green hymnal)
“All People That on Earth Do Dwell” vv. 1, 3, 5
1 All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell;
come ye before him and rejoice.
3 Oh, enter then his gates with praise;
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
5 To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
the God whom heav’n and earth adore,
from us and from the angel host
be praise and glory evermore.
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
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal. p. 78)
L: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
C: Lord, have mercy.
L: Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
C: Amen.
Hymn of Praise
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 79)
L: This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain,
whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power and riches and wisdom and strength,
and honor and blessing and glory are his.
This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God,
and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing and honor and glory and might
be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God,
for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.
Alleluia. Alleluia.
Prayer of the Day
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 82)
P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us pray.
O Lord God, merciful judge, you are the inexhaustible 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.
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: Genesis 50:15-21
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.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody: Hymn #519 (green hymnal)
“My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker!”
1 My soul, now praise your maker!
Let all within me bless his name
who makes you full partaker
of mercies more than you dare claim.
Forget him not whose meekness
still bears with all your sin,
who heals your ev’ry weakness,
renews your life within;
whose grace and care are endless
and saved you through the past;
who leaves no suff’rer friendless,
but rights the wronged at last.
2 He offers all his treasure
of justice, truth, and righteousness,
his love beyond our measure,
his yearning pity o’er distress;
nor treats us as we merit,
but sets his anger by.
The poor and contrite spirit
finds his compassion nigh;
and high as heav’n above us,
as break from close of day,
so far, since he has loved us,
he puts our sins away.
3 For as a loving mother
has pity on her children here,
God in his arms will gather
all those who him like children fear.
He knows how frail our powers,
who but from dust are made.
We flourish as the flowers,
and even so we fade;
the wind but o’er them passes,
and all their bloom is o’er.
We wither like the grasses;
our place knows us no more.
4 His grace remains forever,
and children’s children yet shall prove
that God forsakes them never
who in true fear shall seek his love.
In heav’n is fixed his dwelling,
his rule is over all;
you hosts with might excelling,
with praise before him fall.
Praise him forever reigning,
all here who hear his word–
our life and all sustaining.
My soul, oh, praise the Lord!
Second Lesson: 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 servants 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 in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.
7 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 of us will be accountable to God.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Please stand as you are able.
Gospel Acclamation
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 83)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 83)
P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew, the 18th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
21 Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church 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, his 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.”
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
“Forgive Our Sin as We Forgive”
1 ”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.
2 How can your pardon reach and bless
The unforgiving heart
That broods on wrongs and will not let
Old bitterness depart?
3 In blazing light your cross reveals
The truth we dimly knew:
How trifling others’ debts to us;
How great our debt to you!
4 Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls
And bid resentment cease;
Then, by your mercy reconciled
Our lives will spread your peace.
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 the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The ministers and congregation may greet one another with a gesture of peace.
Invitation to Offering
A: “We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves” (Rom. 14:7). Let us give our offering to Christ who is the Lord of the dead and the living (Rom. 14:8).
Offertory: Hymn #362 (green hymnal)
“We Plow the Fields and Scatter” vv. 1, 3
1 We plow the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God’s almighty hand.
He sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine,
and soft refreshing rain.
Refrain
All good gifts around us
are sent from heav’n above.
Then thank the Lord, oh, thank the Lord
for all his love.
3 We thank you, our creator,
for all things bright and good,
the seedtime and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food.
No gifts have we to offer
for all your love imparts,
but what you most would treasure–
our humble, thankful hearts. Refrain
Offertory Prayer
A: Let us pray.
C: Merciful Father, we offer with joy and thanksgiving what you have first given us—our selves, our time, and our possessions, signs of your gracious love. Receive them for the sake of him who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Meal
Dialogue
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 88)
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 him 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
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 89)
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of pow’r 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.
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: All people are called to Christ’s table. Come, eat what is good.
Please be seated.
Agnus Dei
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 92)
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
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 #211 (green hymnal)
“Here, O My Lord, I See Thee”
1 Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand the eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.
2 Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
here drink with thee the royal wine of heav’n;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv’n.
3 This is the hour of banquet and of song;
this is the heav’nly table spread for me;
here let me feast and, feasting, still prolong
the brief bright hour of fellowship with thee.
4 I have no help but thine; nor do I need
another arm save thine to lean upon;
it is enough, O Lord, enough indeed;
my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.
5 Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness;
mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing blood;
here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace:
thy blood, thy righteousness, O Lord, my God.
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
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 92)
Thank the Lord and sing his praise; tell ev’ryone what he has done.
Let ev’ryone who seeks the Lord rejoice and proudly bear his name.
He recalls his promises and leads his people forth in joy
with shouts of thanksgiving. Alleluia. Alleluia.
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; and we pray that in your mercy you would 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
♫ LBW Setting II
(green hymnal, p. 94)
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #196 (green hymnal)
“Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing”
1 Praise the Lord, rise up rejoicing,
worship, thanks, devotion voicing:
glory be to God on high!
Christ, your cross and passion sharing,
by this eucharist declaring
yours the final victory.
2 Scattered flock, one shepherd sharing,
lost and lonely, one voice hearing,
ears attentive to your word;
by your blood new life receiving,
in your body, firm believing,
we are yours, and you the Lord.
3 Sins forgiven, wrongs forgiving,
we go forth alert and living
in your Spirit, strong and free.
Partners in your new creation,
seeking peace in ev’ry nation,
may we faithful foll’wers be.
Dismissal
A: Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Worship Leaders
The Rev. Emily Beckering, Pastor
Kris Keith, Music Director
Kate Wollenburg, Organist
Carroll Mayhugh, Assisting Minister
Kathy Hirt, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 17: 16 Pentecost
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
Monday, September 18
**Epistle items due**
7 pm Council meeting
Wednesday, September 20
2:30 pm Bible study
Saturday, September 23
5 pm Setup for Movie Night
7:30 pm Community Movie Night
Sunday, September 24: 17 Pentecost
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum
10:30 am Worship Service
4 pm Greater Cincinnati Youth Group Kickoff (Great Heron Shelter, Winton Woods)
Wednesday, September 27
2:30 pm Bible study
Copyright Notices
Forgive Our Sin as We Forgive: Text by Rosamond E. Herklots © 1969 Oxford University Press.
Here, O My Lord, I See Thee: Arr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House.
Praise the Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing: Text by H. C. A. Gaunt © Oxford University Press. Setting © 1972 Contemporary Worship 4: Hymns for Baptism and Holy Communion, 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.