*Worship for Sunday October 11, 2020*
Preservice Music
Welcome to Worship & Prayer Concerns
Flowers on Oct. 11
Praise Song: “Seek Ye First” (2x)
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Allelu, alleluia.
Confession & Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. (Silence is kept for reflection.)
Faithful God, have mercy on us.
We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves. We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world. Amen.
Greeting
Leader: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
ALL: And also with you.
Hymn: “O Savior, Precious Savior” ELW# 820
1. O Savior, precious Savior whom yet unseen we love; O name of might and favor all other names above we worship thee we bless thee to thee alone we sing we praise thee and confess thee our holy Lord and King.
2. O bringer of salvation who wondrously hast wrought thyself the revelation of love beyond our thought we worship thee we bless thee to thee alone we sing we praise thee and confess thee our gracious Lord & King.
3. In thee all fullness dwelleth all grace and power divine the glory that excelleth O Son of God is thine We worship thee we bless thee to thee alone we sing we praise thee and confess thee our glorious Lord and King.
4. Oh, grant the consummation of this our song above in endless adoration and everlasting love, then shall we praise and bless thee where perfect praises ring, and evermore confess thee our Savior and our King.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray: Lord of the feast, you have prepared a table before all peoples and poured out your life with abundance. Call us again to your banquet. Strengthen us by what is honorable, just, and pure, and transform us into a people of righteousness and peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
*We Hear from God’s Word*
First Reading: Isaiah 25: 1-9 After a hymn of praise acknowledging God as a shelter for the poor, the prophet portrays a wonderful victory banquet at which death—which in ancient Canaan was depicted as a monster swallowing up everyone—will be swallowed up forever. The prophet urges celebration of this victory of salvation.
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you, I will praise your name;
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
2For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the palace of aliens is a city no more,
it will never be rebuilt.
3Therefore strong peoples will glorify you;
cities of ruthless nations will fear you.
4For you have been a refuge to the poor,
a refuge to the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat.
When the blast of the ruthless was like a winter rainstorm,
5the noise of aliens like heat in a dry place,
you subdued the heat with the shade of clouds;
the song of the ruthless was stilled.
6On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear.
7And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
8he will swallow up death forever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
9It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Word of God! Word of Life! ALL: Thanks be to God!
Psalm of the Day – Psalm 23
1The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not be in want.
2The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures
and leads me beside still waters.
3You restore my soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways for your name’s sake.
4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Second Reading: Philippians 4: 1-9
Though writing from prison and facing an uncertain future, Paul calls on the Philippians to rejoice and give thanks to God no matter what the circumstance. God’s peace is with us and binds together our hearts and minds in Jesus Christ, especially when things around us do not seem peaceful.
1My brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
Word of God! Word of Life! ALL: Thanks be to God
Praise Song: “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” ELW# 172
Halle, halle, hallelujah, Halle, halle, hallelujah,
Halle, halle, hallelujah, Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
The Holy Gospel Matthew Matthew 22: 1-14
Jesus tells a parable indicating that the blessings of God’s kingdom are available to all, but the invitation is not to be taken lightly.
L: The Holy Gospel of Matthew chapter 22 and I read in Jesus name. All: Glory to you, O Lord (Reading of the Text)
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: 2“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. 3He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. 4Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ 5But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, 6while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 7The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ 10Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.
11“But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, 12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. 13Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14For many are called, but few are chosen.”
The Gospel of the Lord. ALL: Praise to you O Christ!
Children’s Message: “Jesus Loves the Little Children”
Sermon
HYMN: “Savior, like a Shepherd Lead Us” ELW#789
1. Savior like a shepherd lead us much we need your tender care. In your pleasant pastures feed us, for our use your fold prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have bought us we are yours. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus you have bought us we are yours.
2. We are yours in love befriend us, be the guardian of our way, keep your flock from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray. Blessed Jesus blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, hear us children when we pray.
3. You have promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be, You have mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and pow’r to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, early let us turn to you. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus early let us turn to you.
4. Early let us seek your favor early let us do your will, blessed Lord and only Savior with your love our spirits fill. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus, you have loved us, love us still. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus you have loved us love us still.
Statement of Faith: Apostles’ Creed ELW page 105
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come 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 the People
With confidence in God’s grace and mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.
A brief silence.
Gracious host, fill your church with a spirit of joyous hospitality. We pray for bishops, teachers, church leaders, and all children of God as they invite others to your table of boundless grace. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Gracious host, as creation waits with eager longing for redemption, protect your creatures that are mistreated. Restore valleys, mountains and pastures, and still and running waters. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Gracious host, as you set a table in the presence of enemies, so bless the efforts of diplomats, international peace workers, and world leaders who navigate conflict. May they proceed with dialogue and understanding, so that justice and peace prevails. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Gracious host, let your gentleness be known among those who are weary or ill (especially). Strengthen doctors, medical care workers, and caretakers who see to their needs. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Gracious host, when we are quick to judge outward appearance, remind us how you clothe all in your mercy. We pray for ministries that provide needed clothing and other personal care assistance in this community (local ministries can be named). Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Gracious host, as we remember those who have died and are gathered at the heavenly banquet, comfort us with your presence. Assure us of your peace at all times. Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Listen as we call on you, O God, and enfold in your loving arms all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Share an expression of the Peace of the Risen Lord!
*We Give Our Tithes and Offering*
Offering & Special Music & Announcements
Prayer of Blessing
Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich food and drink, and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world, through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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
Hymn “Day by Day” ELW # 790
1. Day by day your mercies Lord attend me bringing comfort to my anxious soul. Day by day the blessings Lord you send me draw me nearer to my heav’ly goal. Love divine beyond all mortal measure brings to naught the burdens of my quest, Savior lead me to the home I treasure where at last I’ll find eternal rest.
2. day by day I know you will provide me strength to serve and wisdom to obey, I will seek your loving will to guide me o’er the paths I struggle day by day. I will fear no evil of the morrow I will trust in your enduring grace. Savior help me bear life’s pain and sorrow till in glory I behold your face.
3. Oh what joy to know that you are near me when my burdens grow too great to bear; oh, what joy to know that you will hear me when I come O Lord to you in prayer Day by day no matter what betide me, you will hold me ever in your hand. Savior with your presence here to guide me, I will reach at last the promised land.
BENEDICTION Leader: Go in peace. ALL: Remember the poor!
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