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GATHERING |
WELCOME
CONGREGATION SONG
Glorious Day Passion CCL#7081388
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 heals all our brokenness,
whose mercy extends beyond our imagination. Amen.
In courage, let us trust God with the truth of our shortcomings.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Gracious God, have mercy on us.
There are times when we try to honor you,
but instead make judgements against our neighbor.
We hide our fears, resentments, and insecurities, choosing conflict and competition
instead of vulnerable reconciliation.
In our desire to be first, we make distinctions among ourselves,
and we neglect the needs of the poor and suffering.
In your great mercy, forgive us our sins. Draw near to us with grace in times of need.
Make us braver followers of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
God promises to forgive our iniquity and to remember our sin no more.
By grace you have been freed!
In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, the source of eternal healing, your sins are forgiven. Amen.
GATHERING HYMN Lord of All Nations, Grant Me Grace ELW 716
GREETING
The grace and peace of God our Creator, Jesus our Healer, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide, be with you all. And also with you.
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Faithful God, we thank you for always welcoming us home, for the ways you surprise us with hope and joy, and for the gifts that you give us through relationship. Restore us, renew us, and fill us with courage so we may proclaim your promises to the whole world, through Jesus Christ, our healer and Lord. Amen.
WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song
FIRST READING Isaiah 35:4-7a
These verses are a word of hope to the exiles in Babylon. Isaiah 34 portrays God’s vengeance on Edom, Israel’s age-old enemy, which makes the path from Babylon to Zion safe for the exiles’ return. The desert itself will flow with water to give drink to the returning exiles.
A reading from Isaiah.
4Say to those who are of a fearful heart,
“Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God.
He will come with vengeance,
with terrible recompense.
He will come and save you.”
5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped;
6then the lame shall leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;
7athe burning sand shall become a pool,
and the thirsty ground springs of water.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALMODY Praise the Lord!
The Psalm for the day is Psalm 146. The music below is a direct paraphrase of Psalm 146. As we sing, we encourage to pay close attention to the words!
SECOND READING Colossians 3:12-14
Just as newly baptized Christians in the early church were clothed with new garments upon arising from the baptismal waters, so all who have received God’s gift of life in Jesus Christ are clothed with the character of Christ.
A reading from Colossians.
12As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Jeff
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Halle, Halle, Hallelujah ELW 172
GOSPEL Luke 6:27-36
Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a point about spiritual leadership. Those who listen to Jesus are led to abundant life.
The Holy Gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord.
Jesus said: 27But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON Pastor Jeff
HYMN OF THE DAY Good Courage Is Our Call Sarah Sherry & Cooper Sherry
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
Drawn together in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray with confidence
for the church, God’s good creation, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Awaken in our communities of faith a spirit of radical hospitality that embraces people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. Deepen our commitment to ecumenical and interreligious partnerships, especially the interfaith clergy network in Westborough that meets again this week.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Bring forth water to nourish plants and animals in places suffering from drought. Renew our commitments to protect wetland habitats and the creatures that make their homes there. Make us good stewards of water in our homes and communities. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Inspire leaders of cities, nations, and tribes to lead with wisdom and humility. Bring peace among peoples in conflict, especially in Ukraine and Russia, Palestine and Israel. Guide all who seek refuge from war to a safe haven, including the refugee families sheltering at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in East Boston. Sustain lawmakers and activists in efforts to reduce gun violence, as we mourn the lives lost and injuries sustained this week at Apalachee High School in Georgia.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Comfort all who live with chronic illness. Surround them in your tender embrace and sustain all who provide ongoing care and support. Bring hope and healing to people struggling with addiction and nourish the spirits of all who are in recovery. Be present with those in need, especially Larry, Bill, Andrew, Michael, the friends and family of Lois Hall, Gina, Chit, Jean, Connie, Anna Marie, Christine, Michael, Carole, Al, Mary, Jim, and all military personnel and first responders.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Nurture in all people the gift of your creating Spirit. Inspire artists and musicians, woodworkers and quilters, poets and dancers. Use all the gifts of our congregation in becoming courageous community.
Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give you thanks for all who have died and now find their rest in you, especially Richard Lowery, whom we remember with altar flowers offered today by the Lowery-Corkran family. May their faithful witness guide us in our daily life with you. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.
We entrust these and all our prayers to you, holy God,
in the name of your beloved child, Jesus Christ, our Savior. 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 10,000 Armies Influence Music CCL #7172653
PRESENTATION
OF GIFTS Let the Vineyards be Fruitful, Lord
OFFERING PRAYER
Let us pray. Source of Life, all that we are and all that we have comes from you. You bless us as a community with all that we need. By these gifts and with our lives, help us care for our neighbors near and far. May all have enough and no one have too much.
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
Generous Love, you set the table long and wide and beautiful, with places not just for us alone,
but for everyone, saints and sinners of all times and places.
For you know how much we need each other,
how much the consolation of company means to us, how good it is to join the present and the past.
You know how much deeper the love, sharper the vision, more complete the memory,
and more authentic the witness is when we are not alone.
United as one community of faith, we join our voices on earth with the choirs of heaven,
together singing our praise:
SANCTUS
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
When Jesus calls his friends to eat, God’s Spirit searches far and wide;
she finds us all and brings us home side by side.
Holy God, in this communion, we are one:
One in the witness with those who testify to your healing presence,
your saving grace, your resurrecting power.
One in the work you have given us to be agents of reconciliation in this world of polarization.
One in your worship, true and living God,
whose good news of all-inclusive love we celebrate and announce to all in word and deed.
Holy God, in this communion, we are one:
One in the community of disciples, who overcome fear through faith,
who allow the truth about ourselves to make us free.
One in the community of freedom fighters,
whose conviction and courage bring down the strongholds of injustice and iniquity.
One in the community of believers,
whose loving relations in the household of faith make this communion holy.
Holy God, in this communion, we are one.
As one body of Christ, we remember that 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.
Trusting in the promise of grace, we confess the mystery of faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!
Generous giver of life, pour out your Spirit on these gifts of food and drink.
Make them for us the very presence of Jesus, so that as we receive and share them,
we become peace builders, justice makers, and love bearers.
Let us become courageous community! 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
Come to this table. Notice your neighbors who come too. Together, taste and see.
Savor and be glad. For in this bread and cup, you are fully known and fully loved by God!
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 Build a Longer Table ACS 1062
COMMUNION SONG
Made for More Josh Baldwin CCL#7207758
TABLE BLESSING
The body and blood of our Liberator Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in God’s grace. Amen
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Let us pray. We thank you, O God, for a foretaste of the feast without end.
As we leave this table, leaven us with your unconditional love for all creation.
Mix in your hunger for justice, and warm our hearts in fervent devotion;
so that, as one in you, we rise to be your people.
Together, we enter with good courage into your promise of new life. Amen.
SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING
Like water flowing to the sea,
God calls us into new journeys.
Wherever the path takes you, go with confidence
knowing that you and each being you encounter
Are blessed and beloved by God, ☩ Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
SENDING SONG Fear Not
Chorus:
Fear not, for I am with you; fear not, for I am with you
Fear not, for I am with you says the Lord
Fear not, for I am with you; fear not, for I am with you
Fear not, for I am with you says the Lord
Verse:
I have redeemed you, I have called you by name. Child, you are mine
When you walk through the waters, I will be there; and through the flame
You’ll not be drowned, you’ll not be burned; for I am with you
(chorus)
(verse)
(chorus)
Fear not!
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Become courageous community!
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE Sortie Léon Boëllmann
Yeon Soh, organ
Thank you to those who helped with worship today…
Worship Assistant Caryn F
Lector Kris S
Communion Presenters Patty & Benet B
Ushers Jim S & Carl M
New Direction Praise Team Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati,
Linda Frederico & Sam Augustus
Altar Care Stephanie L
Livestream Operator Justin M
Upcoming Commemorations
Peter Claver, priest, missionary to Colombia, died 1654
Monday, September 9, 2024
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
Friday, September 13, 2024
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.
Holy Cross Day
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Helena, mother of Constantine, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and found what may be the actual site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Her son built two churches there, and the dedication of one of them gave rise to this celebration of our Lord’s victory on the cross.
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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 September 8 2024- Welcome Home 16th Pentecost.docx | |
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