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GATHERING |
WELCOME
CONGREGATION SONG How Majestic Is Your Name
Oh Lord our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth
Oh Lord our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth
Oh Lord we praise Your name, Oh Lord we magnify Your name
Prince of Peace Mighty God, Oh Lord God Almighty
(repeat)
Prince of Peace Mighty God, Oh Lord God Almighty!
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God;
who created us as bold witnesses to the power of love,
whose mercy extends beyond our imagination. Amen.
In hope, let us trust God with the truth of our shortcomings.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God, lift us up with your justice.
Too often, we act out of fear and insecurity, keeping score and judging others,
or out of self-interest, neglecting the needs of our neighbor.
Lift us up with your justice.
God, lift us up with your compassion.
Too often, we listen to the voices of shame and isolation,
who trick us into believing we are stuck in the tomb, who tell us not to ask for help.
Lift us up with your compassion.
People of God, hear these words of assurance:
We are never alone in our broken places, because Christ promises to roll away the stone.
By grace, we are freed and lifted up, forgiven our sins and sent to live again.
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, we join in community and proclaim:
God, you lift us up in new life! Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Love Divine, All Loves Excelling ELW 631
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. O Lord God, your mercy delights us, and the world longs for your loving care. Hear the cries of everyone in need, lift us with your love, and turn our hearts to lift our neighbors in their time of need; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song
FIRST READING Deuteronomy 30:9-14
Moses calls the people who are about to enter the promised land to renew the covenant God made with their ancestors. Through this covenant God gives life and asks for obedience. God’s commandment is neither burdensome nor too far off, but dwells in the people’s hearts.
A reading from Deuteronomy.
9 The Lord your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all your undertakings, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your soil. For the Lord will again take delight in prospering you, just as he delighted in prospering your ancestors, 10 when you obey the Lord your God by observing his commandments and decrees that are written in this book of the law, because you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
11 “Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?’ 14 No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Psalm 25:1-10
A reading from Psalms.
1 To you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
3 Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.
Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Jess
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Halle, Halle, Hallelujah ELW 172
GOSPEL Luke 10:25-37
Jesus is challenged to explain what is involved in obeying the greatest commandment. He tells a parable rich in surprises: those expected to show pity display hard hearts while the lowly give and receive unexpected and lavish mercy.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jess
HYMN OF THE DAY God’s Work, Our Hands ACS 1000
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 THE PEOPLE
Hear My Prayer
Hear my prayer O Lord, from the ends of the earth I cry
Your peace will lead me to the rock that is higher than I
Gracious God, we come to you in prayer for the church, the world, and all in need.
We pray for the church to follow in your ways, that it may be a witness to your love for all people. Help us choose all that is life-giving and confront the forces of death.
We pray for creation, that it may be cherished and nurtured. Sustain farmlands, animals, and waters; shield coastlands from rising seas; and restore places affected by natural disasters. Bring your healing comfort to all families who have lost homes or their loved ones in the earthquake in Afghanistan this last week.
We pray for those in authority. Grant them wisdom to govern justly and compassion to care for the marginalized. Equip them for actions that further the common good. Bring peace to places filled with violence and an end to war.
We pray for those who are sick, hungry, unhoused, or lonely especially Nancy, Bert, Michael, Bill, Gail, Doug, Erin, Butch, Jennifer, Gretchen, Lloyd & Sue, all those affected by addiction, all those affected by mental illness, and all military personnel and first responders. May they find healing through your love and the care of those around them. Lead us to be your hands and feet in the world.
We pray for this congregation, that we may be united in love and faith. Refresh our hearts in Christ, and deepen our support of one another. Lift our spirits with your surprising love, and empower us to share that love and faith with the world.
We thank you for those who have died and now dwell with the saints. Surround them with your divine mercy, that they find peace and rest in your loving embrace
We entrust these prayers to you, O God, in the name of Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of Christ be with you always. And also with you.
OFFERING INVITATION (Gifts may be made online via debit or credit card using the QR code on the back of the bulletin)
SPECIAL MUSIC Pop-Up Choir
PRESENTATION
OF GIFTS Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful ELW 184
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Gracious God, you are the giver and provider of all things. We give thanks for who you are and what you have given. Receive these gifts we offer, and transform them into seeds of love that lift up our world. Amen.
MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ
DIALOGUE
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.
PREFACE
It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, through our Savior Jesus Christ:
our Good Samaritan, who greets brokenness with compassion and need with abundance;
the Sun of righteousness, who lifts us to life with unfailing hope.
And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven,
we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
To you, O Lord, we lift up our souls
and gather around this meal you prepare again and again, in your unfailing faithfulness.
Your Spirit meets us here, in hope incarnate at the table.
We remember how that same Spirit hovered over the waters of creation,
until you scattered the stars in the night sky, and formed us from the dust in your own image,
teaching us to care for all the beauty you make.
We lift our gifts up to you.
We remember how the generations of prophets, seekers, teachers, and dreamers
grasped your abundant hope even in their despair,
and followed your calling from bondage to freedom, from death to resurrection.
We lift our need up to you.
And we remember the story of your beloved son, Jesus,
whose love stretched beyond human boundaries, even as he lived a human life.
He sought out the lost and the broken, naming them beloved, beautiful and brave.
With Jesus’ help, we lift our hearts up to you.
At his table, we tell the story of the night in which he was betrayed,
when 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.
Obedient to his command, we lift up all that we are in gratitude for your presence.
Send your Spirit on this bread and cup, so that in this meal,
we taste and see your love reaching down to dwell among us.
Make us one community at this table, and make us one with you: Creator, Son and Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.
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.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
You are invited to this table, where the lowly are lifted up and God comes to dwell among us!
Taste and see the transformation love prepares.
COMMUNION
At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all who hunger and thirst for his presence.
We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.
Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer), and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray (the cups in the center contain white grape juice).
If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.
If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.
No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.
AGNUS DEI
COMMUNION HYMN God Welcomes All ACS 978
COMMUNION MUSIC Randy Gomez, piano
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. Holy Spirit, in this meal you have welcomed us into your presence, nourished us with words of mercy, and fed us at your table. In our daily lives, strengthen us to love you with all our heart, serve our neighbors with a willing spirit, and seek your justice and peace; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SENDING SONG The Trees of the Field Steffi Geiser Rubin/Stuart Dauermann
CCLI#20546
BLESSING OF OUR HANDS FOR GOD’S WORK
We assemble ourselves in the shape of a heart outside the front doors of the church. After an all-church photo, we extend our hands in blessing towards the church building.
As we begin this new program year of ministry, we pray God’s blessing on the work that we do! God has called us to this place. God has gathered us as the people of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. God beckons us to use our hands to show forth love.
God, bless the hands that praise you and worship you.
Bless the hands that prepare the altar and serve communion.
Bless the hands that lead music that makes our hearts soar.
Bless the hands that play instruments and the voices that sing.
Bless the hands that welcome others.
Bless the hands that pass our bulletins and share the peace with handshakes and hugs.
Bless the hands that teach our children about your love.
Bless the hands that get sticky with glue from Sunday school crafts.
Bless the hands that feed one another.
Bless the hands that make meals, prepare coffee, and clean up the kitchen.
Bless the hands that organize us for doing your work.
Bless the hands that make phone calls, send emails, and seal envelopes.
Bless the hands that care for the church building.
Bless the hands that clean the bathrooms and make repairs, hands that rake leaves and shovel snow.
God, bless the works of grace and faith that you have called us to do in your name.
Bless us with your love. Amen!
We turn around, and extend our hands in blessing towards the street and our neighbors.
As we live in partnership with people of Westborough, Grafton, and surrounding towns; as we work together for the needs of our neighbors,
May our hands be instruments of peace and love
For those who are in need of food or company,
May our hands prepare feasts and share them.
When a stranger is in our midst,
May our hands extend welcome and a spirit of joy.
When injustice is in the world and in our communities,
May our hands write letters and peacefully join others.
In times of sorrow, sickness and great suffering,
May our hands embrace the broken and offer compassion and care.
For those who are living in fear,
May our hands reach out with love.
God, may we be reminded whatever the need, large or small, you are at work in our hands. May we serve generously, lovingly, and faithfully.
Amen.
We turn back towards the church, place one hand over our heart, and one hand on the shoulder of someone near us.
God who sets forth the law of love,
Jesus who shows us the ways of love,
and the Spirit through whom we are called to love, ☩ bless you this day,
that you may be God’s hands and heart and voice at work in the world. Amen.
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Lift each other with God’s love!
Thanks be to God!
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Josh Pajak
Lector Dana Gillin
Communion Presenters Tate & Morgan Allen
Ushers Jim Scanlon and John Moran
New Direction Praise Team Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati,
Jim Molloy, Linda Frederico & Josh Nadar
Altar Care Holly Pavlak and Linda Frederico
Livestream Operator Justin Mayotte
Upcoming Commemorations
Peter Claver, priest, missionary to Colombia, died 1654
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
Born into Spanish nobility, Claver became a Jesuit missionary, and served in present-day Colombia. His ministry was focused on the enslaved people who arrived there. He gave them food and medicine, learned their dialects, and taught them Christianity.
John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, died 407
Saturday, September 13, 2025
John was a priest in Antioch and an outstanding preacher. His eloquence earned him the nickname “Chrysostom” (“golden mouth”). Appointed bishop of Constantinople, seat of the empire, he criticized corruption in the court. As a result, he was exiled by the empress.
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| From Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2024 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27028. New Revised Standard Version Bible, ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI#1313879. OneLicense # A-716488 7 September 2025- Welcome Home 13th Pentecost.docx | |
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