February 3, 1949 ~ September 2, 2023
September 23, 2023
4:00 pm
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Westborough, MA
GATHERING MUSIC I Shall Be Released Bob Dylan
INTRODUCTION
Welcome in the name of Jesus, the Savior of the world. We are gathered to worship, to proclaim Christ crucified and risen, to remember before God our brother Richard, to give thanks for his life, to commend him to our merciful redeemer, and to comfort one another in our grief.
THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM
When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Eternal God, maker of heaven and earth, who formed us from the dust of the earth, who by your breath gave us life, we glorify you.
We glorify you.
Jesus Christ, the resurrection, and the life, who suffered death for all humanity, who rose from the grave to open the way to eternal life, we praise you.
We praise you.
Holy Spirit, author and giver of life, the comforter of all who sorrow, our sure confidence and everlasting hope, we worship you.
We worship you.
To you, O blessed Trinity, be glory and honor, forever and ever. Amen.
GATHERING SONG Here I Am, Lord ELW 574
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 God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother Richard. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us your aid, so we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
FIRST READING Micah 6:1-8 Jennifer Morazes
A reading from Micah.
1Hear what the LORD says:
Rise, plead your case before the mountains,
and let the hills hear your voice.
2Hear, you mountains, the controversy of the LORD,
and you enduring foundations of the earth;
for the LORD has a controversy with his people,
and he will contend with Israel.
3“O my people, what have I done to you?
In what have I wearied you? Answer me!
4For I brought you up from the land of Egypt,
and redeemed you from the house of slavery;
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
5O my people, remember now what King Balak of Moab devised,
what Balaam son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the saving acts of the LORD.”
6“With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND READING Proverbs 3:3-8 Kevin Dowd
A reading from Proverbs.
3Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4So you will find favor and good repute
in the sight of God and of people.
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
8It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
REMEMBRANCES
Ryan Weber
Rev. Dr. Derek Engfelt
Mark Thibedeau & Molly McGrath
Joan Murray
Jennifer Morazes
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Halle, Halle, Hallelujah ELW 172
GOSPEL Matthew 11:25-30 The Rev. Jeffrey Goodrich
The Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
25At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SERMON The Rev. Jeffrey Goodrich
SERMON SONG Like an Eagle Carl Strommen
Verse 1:
Now is the time to follow the wind, to walk alone
And a star will show the way, above the clouds, beyond the sea
And now is the time, now and farewell; and as we part
You taught me well, you gave me strength, you showed the way; I’ll not forget you
Chorus 1:
Like and eagle I will soar above the clouds; I will spread my wings and fly into the sun
Like an eagle I will race above the stars; I will fly to places yet unseen
Go beyond my wildest dream, know that you are watching over me
Verse 2:
And all alone I follow the stars above as my guide.
As my guide, I trust in you to show the way to me, beyond the sea.
And now is the time, now and farewell, and as we part
You taught me well, you gave me strength, you showed the way; I’ll not forget you
Chorus 2:
Like and eagle I will soar above the clouds; I will spread my wings and fly into the sun
Like an eagle I will race above the stars; I will fly to places yet unseen
Go beyond my wildest dream, know that you are watching over me, alone.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Trusting in God’s promises, we pray for ourselves, for the needs of others, and the world around us.
Almighty God, in holy baptism you have knit your chosen people together into one communion of saints in the body of Christ. Give to your whole church in heaven and on earth your light and your peace. Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to share the new life in Christ.
God of all creation, we pray for the natural world around us. Teach us to care for the earth and the needs of plants, animals, and the land around us. Send helping hands to those suffering from natural disasters in Morocco and Libya and remind them that they are not alone.
Give courage and faith to those who are ill, those struggling with their mental health, those who wonder where they will safely sleep tonight, and those who don’t know when their next meal will come. Affirm the dignity and beauty of those who are oppressed or seen as outcasts. Tend to those who mourn with your loving care. Lead them to cast their sorrow on you, that they may have strength for the days ahead.
Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that, where this world groans in grief and pain, your Holy Spirit may lead us to bear witness to your light and life. Help us, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.
God of all grace, we give you thanks because by his death our Savior Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and by his resurrection he opened the kingdom of heaven to all. Make us certain that because he lives we shall live also, and that neither death nor life, nor things present nor things to come, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy 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.
OR
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.
PRAYER OF COMMENDATION
Let us commend Richard to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant, Richard. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
SONG OF BLESSING Beloved Friend, Your Work is Done
BLESSING
The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord’s face shine upon you with grace and mercy.
The Lord look upon you with favor and ☩ give you peace. Amen.
SENDING SONG My Sweet Lord George Harrison
My sweet Lord, Hmm my Lord; Hmm my Lord
I really want to see you, really want to be with you
Really want to see you, Lord; but it takes so long, my Lord
My sweet Lord, Hmm my Lord; Hmm my Lord
I really want to know you, really want to go with you
Really want to show you Lord
But it won’t take long, my Lord (hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (hallelujah); Hmm, my Lord (hallelujah)
My sweet Lord (hallelujah)
Really want to see you, really want to see you
Really want to see you Lord, really want to see you Lord
But it takes so long, my Lord (hallelujah); my sweet Lord (hallelujah)
Hmm, my Lord (hallelujah); my, my Lord (hallelujah)
I really want to know you (hallelujah)
Really want to go with you (hallelujah)
Really want to show you Lord; and it won’t take long, my Lord (hallelujah)
Hmm, hmm, hmm (hallelujah); my sweet Lord (hallelujah)
My, my Lord (hallelujah)
DISMISSAL
Let us go forth in peace. In the name of Christ. Amen
Memorial gifts in Richard’s memory may be sent to
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 183 West Main St, Westborough MA 01581.
Memorial gifts may also be made via debit or credit card using this QR code.
PARTICIPANTS
Celebrant/Preacher Rev. Jeffrey Goodrich
Lectors Jennifer Morazes, Kevin Dowd
Remembrances Ryan Weber, Rev. Dr. Derek Engfelt, Mark Thibedeau & Molly McGrath
Joan Murray, and Jennifer Morazes
Ushers Kym Schuler & Carl Miett
New Direction Praise Team Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati,
Linda Frederico & Sam Augustus
Altar Care Holly Pavlak & Linda Martin
Livestream Operator Ernie Zimmermann
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27028.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 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.
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