Worship Service: September 26, 2021, 18 Pentecost

Gathering

Prelude

Opening Hymn #249 (green hymnal)

“God Himself Is Present”

1  God himself is present;
let us now adore him
and with awe appear before him!
God is in his temple;
all within keep silence,
prostrate lie with deepest rev’rence.
Him alone God we own,
him, our God and Savior;
praise his name forever!

2  God himself is present;
hear the harps resounding;
see the hosts the throne surrounding!
“Holy, holy, holy!”
Hear the hymn ascending,
songs of saints and angels blending.
Bow your ear to us here:
hear, O Christ, the praises
that your church now raises.

3  Light of light eternal,
all things penetrating,
for your rays our soul is waiting.
As the tender flowers,
willingly unfolding,
to the sun their faces holding:
even so would we do,
light from you obtaining,
strength to serve you gaining.

4  Come, celestial Being,
make our hearts your dwelling,
ev’ry carnal thought dispelling.
By your Holy Spirit
sanctify us truly,
teaching us to love you only.
Where we go here below,
let us bow before you
and in truth adore you.

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. Generous God, your Son gave his life that we might come to peace with you. Give us a share of your Spirit, and in all we do empower us to bear the name of 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 Kathy 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: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29

The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the LORD became very angry, and Moses was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the LORD, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? 12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child, to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors’? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. 15 If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.”
16 So the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you.”
24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.
26 Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD‘s people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!”

  The word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Psalmody: Special Music

“Heaven Declares” (Psalm 19)
Stephen J. Pearson

1  Heaven declares the glory of our God!
The skies proclaim the works of Your hand.
There is no speech devoid of their voices.
They spread Your glory over the land.

   Like a champion in heaven,
triumphantly sweeps Your sun:
shedding warmth upon us all,
touching ev’ryone.

2  Your law, O Lord, is perfect, life giving.
Your precepts, Lord, bring joy to the heart.
Your law, O Lord, is pure and enduring.
Radiant, indeed, the Light it imparts!

   Your laws are more precious,
more precious than pure gold, O Lord!
Sweeter they than honey, Lord—
their guidance, my reward!

3  Who can discern the error of their way?
Forgive me, Lord, of my hidden flaws.
Keep me, O Lord, from willful transgressions.
Keep me tucked safely within Your Law.

Second Reading: James 5:13-20

13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

  The word of the Lord.

C: Thanks be to God.

Gospel: Mark 9:38-50

P: The holy gospel according to St. Mark, the 9th chapter.

C: Glory to you, O Lord.

38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
42 “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
49 “For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

P: The gospel of the Lord.

C: Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Silence for meditation

Hymn of the Day #423 (green hymnal)

“Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”

1  Lord, whose love in humble service
Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken,
Worked your mercy’s perfect deed:
We, your servants, bring the worship
Not of voice alone, but heart:
Consecrating to your purpose
Ev’ry gift which you impart.

2  Still your children wander homeless;
Still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom;
Still in grief we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
Healed the sick and freed the soul,
By your Spirit send your power
To our world to make it whole.

3  As we worship, grant us vision,
Till your love’s revealing light,
In its height and depth and greatness
Dawns upon our quickened sight:
Making known the needs and burdens
Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to ardent service,
Your abundant life to share.

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

Offertory: Hymn #235 (maroon hymnal)

“All to Jesus I Surrender”

1  All to Jesus I surrender,
all to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
in his presence daily live.

Refrain
I surrender all, (I surrender all),
I surrender all, (I surrender all),
all to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

2  All to Jesus I surrender,
humbly at his feet I bow;
worldly pleasures all forsaken,
take me, Jesus, take me now.  Refrain

3  All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to thee;
fill me with thy love and power,
let thy blessings fall on me.  Refrain

Offering Prayer

A: 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 #126 (maroon hymnal)

“Taste and See”

Refrain
Taste and see, taste and see
the goodness of the Lord.
Oh, taste and see, taste and see
the goodness of the Lord, of the Lord.

1  I will bless the Lord at all times.
Praise shall always be on my lips;
my soul shall glory in the Lord;
for God has been so good to me.  Refrain

2  Glorify the Lord with me.
Together let us all praise God’s name.
I called the Lord, who answered me;
from all my troubles I was set free.  Refrain

3  Worship the Lord, all you people.
You’ll want for nothing if you ask.
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
in God we need put all our trust.  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 #158 (maroon hymnal)

“Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises”

Refrain
Hallelujah! We sing your praises,
all our hearts are filled with gladness.
Hallelujah! We sing your praises,
all our hearts are filled with gladness.  Repeat

1  Christ the Lord to us said:
I am wine, I am bread,
I am wine, I am bread,
give to all who thirst and hunger.  Refrain

2  Now he sends us all out,
strong in faith, free of doubt,
strong in faith, free of doubt.
Tell to all the joyful gospel.  Refrain

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
John Cathcart, Assisting Minister
Kathy Hirt, Reader

Upcoming Events

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

Sunday, October 3: 19 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, October 4

6 pm Worship & Music Committee (Zoom)

Tuesday, October 5

6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal
7 pm Bible study (in-person/Zoom)

Wednesday, October 6

7 pm Bell Choir

Thursday, October 7

10:30 am Bible Study (in-person/Zoom)
6:30 pm “The Game’s Afoot” rehearsal

Copyright Notices

“God Himself is Present”: Text st. 3 and 4 © Augsburg Publishing House, admin. Augsburg Fortress.

“Heaven Declares”: Text and music by Stephen J. Pearson © 1996 Psalmistry Music.

“Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”: Text by Albert F Bayly © 1988 Oxford University Press; Setting © 1978, 1985 Augsburg Fortress Publishers.

“Taste and See”: Text and music © 1983 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358.

“Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises”: Text and arr. © 1984 Utryck, admin. Walton Music Corp.

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.