Gathering
Prelude
Opening Hymn #290 (green hymnal)
“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”
1 There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in his justice
which is more than liberty.
There is no place where earth’s sorrows
are more felt than up in heav’n.
There is no place where earth’s failings
have such kindly judgment giv’n.
2 There is welcome for the sinner,
and a promised grace made good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in his blood.
There is grace enough for thousands
of new worlds as great as this;
there is room for fresh creations
in that upper home of bliss.
3 For the love of God is broader
than the measures of our mind;
and the heart of the eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
There is plentiful redemption
in the blood that has been shed;
there is joy for all the members
in the sorrows of the head.
4 ’Tis not all we owe to Jesus;
it is something more than all:
greater good because of evil,
larger mercy through the fall.
If our love were but more simple,
we should take him at his word;
and our lives would be all sunshine
in the sweetness of our Lord.
Confession and Forgiveness
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.
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.
Greeting and Prayer of the Day
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.
P: Let us pray. O God, our teacher and guide, you draw us to yourself and welcome us as beloved children. Help us to lay aside all envy and selfish ambition, that we may walk in your ways of wisdom and understanding as servants of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
C: Amen.
The Word
Blessing of the Lector
P: Let us pray. God Almighty, we ask your blessing upon Sherry as she reads to us the scriptures. May the words of her mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer.
C: Amen.
First Reading: Jeremiah 11:18-20
18 It was the LORD who made it known to me, and I knew;
then you showed me their evil deeds.
19 But I was like a gentle lamb
led to the slaughter.
And I did not know it was against me
that they devised schemes, saying,
“Let us destroy the tree with its fruit,
let us cut him off from the land of the living,
so that his name will no longer be remembered!”
20 But you, O LORD of hosts, who judge righteously,
who try the heart and the mind,
let me see your retribution upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Psalmody
“Surely My God Is With Me” (Psalm 54)
Stephen J. Pearson
Kate
Surely my God is with me.
My God, my Life, my Hope.
My God, save me!
Hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer, O my God.
Congregation
Surely my God is with me.
My God, my Life, my Hope.
My God, save me!
Hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer, O my God.
Kate
Save me, O God, through Your Name.
Vindicate me through Your might.
Strangers are attacking me.
Ruthless men now seek my light.
Congregation
Surely my God is with me.
My God, my Life, my Hope.
My God, save me!
Hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer.
Hear my prayer, O my God.
Kate
I will praise Your name, O my Lord.
Offer sacrifices to You.
You have saved me from my troubles.
You are faithful; You are true.
Congregation
Surely my God is with me.
My God, my Life, my Hope.
My God saved me!
Hear my thanks.
Hear my thanks.
Hear my thanks, O my God.
Second Reading: James 3:13–4:3, 7-8a
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.
4:1 Those conflicts and disputes among you, where do they come from? Do they not come from your cravings that are at war within you? 2 You want something and do not have it; so you commit murder. And you covet something and cannot obtain it; so you engage in disputes and conflicts. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, in order to spend what you get on your pleasures. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8a Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
The word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37
P: The holy gospel according to St. Mark, the 9th chapter.
C: Glory to you, O Lord.
30 Jesus and the disciples went on and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.
33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
Children’s Sermon
Sermon
Silence for meditation
Hymn of the Day
“All Are Welcome”
Kate
Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live,
a place where saints and children tell
how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace;
here the love of Christ shall end divisions:
Refrain
All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.
Congregation
Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true,
where all God’s children dare to seek
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God’s grace;
here as one we claim the faith of Jesus: Refrain
Congregation
Let us build a house where love is found
in water, wine and wheat:
a banquet hall on holy ground
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space;
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us: Refrain
Congregation
Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone
to heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
bear the image of God’s face;
let us bring an end to fear and danger: Refrain
Congregation
Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard
and loved and treasured, taught and claimed
as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace,
let this house proclaim from floor to rafter: Refrain
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.
Peace
P: The peace of Christ be with you always.
C: And also with you.
The Meal
Invitation to Offering
Offering Prayer
P: Let us pray.
C: God of all creation, all you have made is good, and your love endures forever. You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine. Nourish us with these gifts, that we might be for the world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
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: 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.
Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:
The Lord’s Prayer
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: Taste and see that the Lord is good.
The Body of Christ, broken for you.
The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
All eat bread and drink wine or juice at their seat.
Communion Hymn #212 (green hymnal)
“Let Us Break Bread Together”
1 Let us break bread together on our knees;
let us break bread together on our knees.
Refrain
When I fall on my knees,
with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.
2 Let us drink wine together on our knees;
let us drink wine together on our knees. Refrain
3 Let us praise God together on our knees;
let us praise God together on our knees. Refrain
Table Blessing
P: The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
C: Amen.
Prayer after Communion
A: Let us pray. God of abundance, with this bread of life and cup of salvation you have united us with Christ, making us one with all your people. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
C: Amen.
Sending
Announcements for God’s Mission in the World
Blessing
P: Almighty God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you now and forever.
C: Amen.
Closing Hymn #723 (blue hymnal)
“The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”
1 The Spirit sends us forth to serve;
we go in Jesus’ name
to bring glad tidings to the poor,
God’s favor to proclaim.
2 We go to comfort those who mourn
and set the burdened free;
where hope is dim, to share a dream
and help the blind to see.
3 We go to be the hands of Christ,
to scatter joy like seed
and, all our days, to cherish life,
to do the loving deed.
4 Then let us go to serve in peace,
the gospel to proclaim.
God’s Spirit has empowered us;
we go in Jesus’ name.
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
Noah Moorhouse, Assisting Minister
Sherry Bronner, Reader
Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 19: 17 Pentecost
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum (in-person/Zoom)
10:30 am Worship Service (in-person/livestreamed)
2 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Monday, September 20
**Epistle Articles Deadline**
7 pm Council Meeting
Tuesday, September 21
4 pm Reading Church Council Meeting with Reading WeThrive
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Wednesday, September 22
5 pm Reading Bridal District “Fall in Love” Bridal Show
7 pm Bell Choir
Thursday, September 23
10:30 am Bible Study (in-person/Zoom)
6 pm BSA Troop Meeting
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Friday, September 24
7 pm Youth Group
Sunday, September 26: 18 Pentecost
9 am Sunday School / Adult Forum (in-person/Zoom)
10:30 am Worship Service (in-person/livestreamed)
After worship: Evangelism Committee
2 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Tuesday, September 28
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Wednesday, September 29
7 pm Bell Choir
Thursday, September 30
10:30 am Bible Study (in-person/Zoom)
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
Copyright Notices
“There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”: Arr. © 1969 Concordia Publishing House.
“All Are Welcome”: Text and music © 1994 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358.
“Surely My God Is With Me”: Text and music by Stephen J. Pearson © 1996 Psalmistry Music.
“Let Us Break Bread Together”: Arr. © 1972 Contemporary Worship 4, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
“The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve”: Text © 1993 Delores Dufner. Published by OCP Publications, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland OR 97213.
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 © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS010308.