WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be God, the one who forms us, ☩ Jesus who bears the cross, the Spirit who makes our joy complete. Amen.
Let us bow before God in humility, confessing our sin. Silence is kept for reflection.
Steadfast and faithful God, you have revealed the ways of justice, yet we fail to follow you. We are overwhelmed by the world’s violence and suffering. We are afraid to risk what we have for the sake of others. For the harm we have caused,
known and unknown, forgive us. For the unjust demands we place on others
and your creation, forgive us. For the ways we turn away from you and our neighbor, forgive us. Lead us back to you and set us on the right path; in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen
Beloved in Christ, God’s justice stretches beyond all understanding. God’s compassion is beyond compare. In Jesus, God is always making a new way for us. In ☩ Christ, you are already and always forgiven. Amen.
OPENING HYMN #603 God, When Human Bonds Are Broken (v.1-4)
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
KYRIE page 147 (front of hymnal)
HYMN OF PRAISE page 149-150
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
FIRST READING: EZEKIEL 33:7-11
7So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8If I say to the wicked, “O wicked ones, you shall surely die,” and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. 9But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life. 10Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: “Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?” 11Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel? Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 119:33-40 (please read responsively)
33Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
34Give me understanding, and I shall keep your teaching; I shall keep it with all my heart.
35Lead me in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire.
36Incline my heart to your decrees and not to unjust gain.
37Turn my eyes from beholding falsehood; give me life in your way.
38Fulfill your promise to your servant, which is for those who fear you.
39Turn away the reproach that I dread, because your judgments are good.
40Behold, I long for your commandments; by your righteousness enliven me
SECOND READING: ROMANS 13:8-14
8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. 11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: MATTHEW 18:15-20
“The Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew the 18th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 15“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS (insert)
CHILDREN SERMON Josh Krage
SERMON Pastor Kurt Bockoven
HYMN OF THE DAY: #744 Lord, Be Glorified
APOSTLES’ CREED
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 INTERCESSION (please answer “Hear Our Prayer”)
PASSING OF THE PEACE
OFFERATORY
Please be seated Offering plates will be passed during this time.
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray: God of power, God of plenty, all things belong to you. We bring your gifts to the table, that all might be fed. Form us into the body of your Beloved, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.
HOLY COMMUNION / LORD’S PRAYER
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy… and join their unending hymn: (Please sing: page173) Holy, holy, holy Lord, Lord God of power and might, heaven 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.
In the night he was betrayed…. Do this for the remembrance of me. Our Father who art in heaven….
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Jesus invites you to this table. Come, eat and live.
(All who hunger for God’s grace are welcome at this meal. White grape juice and gluten free wafers are available for those who need them. Children who have not had first communion training are welcome to come for a blessing.)
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray: Blessed be your name, O God, for we have feasted on your Word, Christ Jesus, the joy and delight of our hearts. Strengthened by this food, send us to gather the world to your banquet, where none are left out and all are satisfied. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
BLESSING
The God of glory, ☩ Jesus Christ, name above all names, and the Spirit who lives in you, bless you now and forever. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: #466 In the Singing
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. God is at work in you. Thanks be to God.
Mike Reick’s Famous Chicken Dinner Fundraiser Sunday October 1st
Tickets are available. Advance tickets only.
WE NEED HELP SELLING TICKETS AND WORKING THE EVENT!!
• Bible Study with Pastor Wednesdays at 8:15 am at Gabby Lou’s – Come for a short scripture reflection with Pastor. Coffee’s on us! Treats are on you!
• Confirmation Classes September 13, meal at 6:00 pm and class at 6:30 pm
Coffee Fellowship TODAY and every Sunday. WE NEED YOU! Servers are needed please contact Pastor or the office to help.
Lutheran Disaster Response US Fire donations slips available outside sanctuary.
Church Choir practices Sundays after service. All are welcome, See Stephanie for details.
Thank You to Today’s Assistants: Whitehill and Timmerman Family for helpers/acolytes; Linda Snyder for Reader; Ross Kiehne for Video; Kris Torgerson and Peter Olafson for Coffee Fellowship and Offering Counter; Reagan Rose for Organ/Piano.
Please remember our homebound and senior care residents: Merle Roelofs, Carla Erickson, Joyce Hanlon, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Mel Mikkelson.
Please keep in prayers: David Wangen, Bernie Hurley, the family of Thelma Applen.
Liturgy taken from sundaysandseasons.com. Copyright 2014 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SB134626. CCLI Streaming License #20959486
