WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who is eager to forgive and who loves us beyond our days. Amen.
Dear friends, together let us acknowledge our failure to love this world as Jesus does.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God of mercy and forgiveness, we confess that sin still has a hold on us. We have harmed your good creation. We have failed to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with you. Turn us in a new direction. Show us the path that leads to life. Be our refuge and strength on the journey, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend. Amen.
Beloved of God: your sins are forgiven ☩ and you are made whole. God points the way to new life in Christ, who meets us on the road. Journey now in God’s abiding love through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
CHOIR: Come Follow Me
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.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray: Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen
FIRST READING: JEREMIAH 31:31-34
31The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the LORD. 33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the LORD,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the LORD; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM 46 (please read responsively by whole verse)
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains shake in the depths of the sea;
3though its waters rage and foam, and though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.
5God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be shaken; God shall help it at the break of day.
6The nations rage, and the kingdoms shake; God speaks, and the earth melts away.
7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
8Come now, regard the works of the LORD, what desolations God has brought upon the earth;
9behold the one who makes war to cease in all the world; who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
10“Be still, then, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
SECOND READING: ROMANS 3:19-28
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.21But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL: JOHN 8:31-36
The Holy Gospel according to John the 8th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
31Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word,
you are truly my disciples; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make
you free.” 33They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?” 34Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave
to sin. 35The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has
a place there forever. 36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
”The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
CHILDREN’S SERMON
SERMON
HYMN OF THE DAY: #631 Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (v. 1, 2 and 4)
(Remain Seated while the offering plates are passed at this time)
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”)
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray, Gracious God, in your great love you richly provide for our needs.
Make of these gifts a banquet of blessing, and make us ready to share with all in need; through Jesus Christ, who sets a table for all. 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:)
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
Receive what you are, become what you receive.
(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: God of the abundant table, you have refreshed our hearts in this meal
with bread for the journey. Give us your grace on the road that we might serve our neighbors with joy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
God, who gives life to all things and frees us from despair, bless you with truth and peace. And may the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, guide you always in faith, hope, and love. Amen.
CLOSING HYMN: #774 What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. With Christ beside you. Thanks be to God.
Children’s Halloween party and parade after service today
Next Sunday is All Saint’s Sunday where we light a candle for loved ones who have passed
Also reminder that November 6 is Daylight Savings Time and clocks fall back one hour
Condolences to the Peters family, services were held on October 29th
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Thank You to Today’s Assistants: Tieskotter family and Kaase Family, Ross Kiehne for video, and Paul Hemenway and Tim Ostrom for Counters
Please remember our homebound and senior care residents: Merle Roelofs, Carla Erickson, Paula Michel, Joyce Hanlon, Lee Fishbaugher, Walt Ward, Betty Storlie, Mel Mikkelson, Thelma Applen.
Please keep in prayers: Amy Timmerman Carrie Donney, David & Kim Wangen, Diane Bigalk, Bob Peters, Sandy & Bernie Hurley. Sandy Strozyk, Family of Phyllis Gregerson.
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
