Order of Worship Service for Sunday, October 23, 2022:
Devoted to Generosity
Prelude Hymn: WOV 713- “Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil.” Handchimes: Ava Bobb; Amaya, Abbigail and Zoe Lee; Bells: Claire Gustafson.
Meditation
Genuine repentance and pretentious piety stand in stark contrast in the gospel and all around us. All creation stands in need of God’s forgiveness. Keep the faith. God’s people shall be accounted righteous for Jesus’ sake. Our God is merciful to sinners. For this we worship and glorify God forever.
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.
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.
Opening Hymn: ELW 657- “Rise, O Sun of Righteousness.”
Kyrie
Hymn of Praise
Prayer of the Day
Holy God, our righteous judge, daily your mercy surprises us with everlasting forgiveness. Strengthen our hope in you, and grant that all the peoples of the earth may find their glory in you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.
First Reading: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22
In a time of drought, the people pray for mercy, repenting of their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They appeal to God to remember the covenant, to show forth God’s power, and to heal their land by sending life-giving rain.
7Although our iniquities testify against us,
act, O Lord, for your name’s sake;
our apostasies indeed are many,
and we have sinned against you.
8O hope of Israel,
its savior in time of trouble,
why should you be like a stranger in the land,
like a traveler turning aside for the night?
9Why should you be like someone confused,
like a mighty warrior who cannot give help?
Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us,
and we are called by your name;
do not forsake us!
10Thus says the Lord concerning this people:
Truly they have loved to wander,
they have not restrained their feet;
therefore the Lord does not accept them,
now he will remember their iniquity
and punish their sins.
19Have you completely rejected Judah?
Does your heart loathe Zion?
Why have you struck us down
so that there is no healing for us?
We look for peace, but find no good;
for a time of healing, but there is terror instead.
20We acknowledge our wickedness, O Lord,
the iniquity of our ancestors,
for we have sinned against you.
21Do not spurn us, for your name’s sake;
do not dishonor your glorious throne;
remember and do not break your covenant with us.
22Can any idols of the nations bring rain?
Or can the heavens give showers?
Is it not you, O Lord our God?
We set our hope on you,
for it is you who do all this.
Psalm: Psalm 84:1-7
Happy are the people whose strength is in you. (Ps. 84:5)
1How dear to me is your dwelling,
O Lord of hosts!
2My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
3Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young,
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts, my king and my God.
4Happy are they who dwell in your house!
They will always be praising you.
5Happy are the people whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way.
6Those who go through the balsam valley will find it a place of springs,
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
7They will climb from height to height,
and the God of gods will be seen in Zion.
Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
The conclusion of this letter to a young minister offers a final perspective on life from one who faced death. Though others let him down, Paul was sure of his faith in the Lord, who stood by him and lent him strength.
6As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
16At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gospel: Luke 18:9-14
The coming reign of God will involve unexpected reversals of fortune with judgment rooted in mercy. Jesus tells a parable in which the one who humbles himself is exalted and the one who exalts his own righteousness is humbled.
9Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt:10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Sermon: Pastor Chris Lee
Hymn of the Day: ELW 513- “Listen, God is Calling.”
Apostles’ Creed
Prayers of Intercession
In gratitude and humility, let us join together in prayer on behalf of all of God’s creation.
God of mercy, you are in the midst of us and we are called by your name. Inspire your church to serve and love all people with the unceasing grace you extend to us. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of all creation, you formed a world where even the sparrow finds a home. Preserve the beauty and diversity of all creatures with whom we share the earth. Lead us to protect all living things. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of peace, you are an ever-present help in time of trouble. Rescue families and nations torn apart by violence and warfare. Unite all people toward common goals of reconciliation and peace for every person. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of hope, you stand with the suffering and give strength. Comfort your people filled with fear or anger, anxiety or shame. Bring healing to all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit especially Carol Lear; Libby Hofsas; Carol Garner; Lucas Roney; Noah Stoutt; Kelly Taylor; Pastor Greg Mayer; Kim Engels; Krisan Koble; Joyce Anderson; Jeanna LaRue; Karen Bemowski; Nan Hibbs; Julie Peters; Kenneth Bobb; Andrea Bobb; Richard Mowery; Gary Berg; Bruce and Sandy Wright; Julie Prenatt; Sheri Stoutt; Richard Hotchkiss; Randy McIntyre; Marilyn Hubbard; and all those we name before you now, aloud or in our hearts…
Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of restoration, you call us to trust in you and not ourselves alone. Make this congregation a community of humility and repentance, ready to encounter you in love and follow in your ways. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
God of eternal life, to you be the glory forever. We give you thanks for (James of Jerusalem and) all who have fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith, and now live with you. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
With grateful hearts we commend our spoken and silent prayers to you, O God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Peace
OFFERING OF GIFTS: DEVOTED TO GENEROSITY
OFFERING PRAYER
Most Holy God, we share the gifts of our hearts this day and pray that you receive these offerings as a sign of our intention to be one with your will. Inspired by Your mercy, open the doors of our sanctuary to be a place of healing and hope, as we endeavor to be hospitable to one
another and generously devoted to You, we pray, Amen.
Great Thanksgiving
The Lord’s Prayer
Communion Hymns:
ACS 1078- “There is a Longing in Our Hearts.”
ELW 599- “Lord Jesus, Think On Me.”
Prayer after Communion
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.
Sending Hymn: ELW 208- “Praise to You, O God of Mercy.”
Dismissal
Go in peace, with Christ beside you.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude: TFF 184- “Wonderful Grace of Jesus.”
Facebook link to Sunday, October 23, 2022 Worship Service
https://www.facebook.com/190629367619921/videos/644600640448635
Image credits: Prospect Park 2022 and Prospect Park 2021, photos by Therese Guise; and St. James of Jerusalem, satucket.com
Music and other credits:
Assisting Minister and Lector: Brittany Anderson
Music Director/ Organist/ Pianist: Pam Edwards
“Lord, Let My Heart Be Good Soil.” Words and Music – ©1985 Changing Church Inc.. Contributors: Handt Hanson.All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Rise, O Sun of Righteousness.” Words – ©2003 Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Contributors: Renewing Worship. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Listen, God is Calling.” (Neno lake Mungu) Text: Tanzanian traditional; tr. Howard S. Oldson, b. 1922. Music: Tanzanian tune; arr. Austin C. Lovelace, b. 1919. Text copyright 1968 Lutheran Theological College, Makumira, Tanzania, admin. Augsburg Fortress. Arr. copyright 1968 Austin C. Lovelace. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“There is a Longing in Our Hearts.” Words and Music – ©1992 OCP. Contributors: Anne Quigley. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Lord Jesus, Think On Me.” Text: Synesius of Cyrene, 375 – 430; tr. Allen W. Chatfield, 1808 – 1896, alt.. Music: W. Daman, The Psalmes of David, 1579, alt.. Public domain.
“Praise to You, O God of Mercy.” Now the Feast and Celebration: Thanks Be to You. Words and Music ©1990 GIA Publications, Inc.. Contributors: Marty Haugen. All rights reserved. Permission to podcast/stream and print the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-704843.
“Wonderful Grace of Jesus.” Text: Haldor Lillenas, 1885 – 1959. Music: WONDERFUL GRACE, Haldor Lillenas, 1885 – 1959. Public domain.
Upcoming Commemorations
James of Jerusalem, martyr, died around 62
Sunday, October 23, 2022
One of three early-church leaders named James, this man is identified in the New Testament and by a historian of the time as a brother of Jesus. Scholars are uncertain whether this means a blood brother. He was a leader of the church in Jerusalem.
Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. 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. Reprinted/ streamed with permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS006904. Duplication in any form is prohibited without permission or valid license from the copyright administrator.