{"id":2034,"date":"2020-10-04T21:37:23","date_gmt":"2020-10-05T02:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=2034"},"modified":"2020-10-06T15:10:42","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T20:10:42","slug":"sunday-worship-service-4-october-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/firstlutheranri.org\/?p=2034","title":{"rendered":"Sunday Worship Service: 4 October 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Order of Worship for October 4, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prelude:<\/strong> ELW 796- “How Firm a Foundation,” Early American. Pam Edwards, pianist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confession and Forgiveness<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessed be the holy Trinity, \u2629 one God,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faithful God,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

have mercy on us.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We confess that we are captive to sin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

and cannot free ourselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We turn from your loving embrace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

and go our own ways.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We pass judgment on one another<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

before examining ourselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We place our own needs before those of our neighbors.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make us humble, cast away our transgressions,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

and turn us again to life in you<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God hears the cries of all who call out in need,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and through his death and resurrection,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christ has made us his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hear the truth that God proclaims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your sins are forgiven in the name of \u2629 Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to do God\u2019s work in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opening Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 654- “The Church’s One Foundation,” verses 1 and 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer of the Day:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beloved God, from you come all things that are good. Lead us by the inspiration of your Spirit to know those things that are right, and by your merciful guidance, help us to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Readings: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The prophet sings a sad, parable-like love song about the relationship between God and Israel. In this song Israel is compared to a promising vineyard. Despite God\u2019s loving care, the vineyard that is Israel has brought forth \u201cwild grapes\u201d of injustice and distress, when fine grapes of justice and righteousness were expected.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u20031<\/sup>Let me sing for my beloved
\u2003\u2003my love-song concerning his vineyard:
\u2003My beloved had a vineyard
\u2003\u2003on a very fertile hill.
\u20032<\/sup>He dug it and cleared it of stones,
\u2003\u2003and planted it with choice vines;
\u2003he built a watchtower in the midst of it,
\u2003\u2003and hewed out a wine vat in it;
\u2003he expected it to yield grapes,
\u2003\u2003but it yielded wild grapes.

\u20033<\/sup>And now, inhabitants of Jerusalem
\u2003\u2003and people of Judah,
\u2003judge between me
\u2003\u2003and my vineyard.
\u20034<\/sup>What more was there to do for my vineyard
\u2003\u2003that I have not done in it?
\u2003When I expected it to yield grapes,
\u2003\u2003why did it yield wild grapes?

\u20035<\/sup>And now I will tell you
\u2003\u2003what I will do to my vineyard.
\u2003I will remove its hedge,
\u2003\u2003and it shall be devoured;
\u2003I will break down its wall,
\u2003\u2003and it shall be trampled down.
\u20036<\/sup>I will make it a waste;
\u2003\u2003it shall not be pruned or hoed,
\u2003\u2003and it shall be overgrown with briers and thorns;
\u2003I will also command the clouds
\u2003\u2003that they rain no rain upon it.

\u20037<\/sup>For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
\u2003\u2003is the house of Israel,
\u2003and the people of Judah
\u2003\u2003are his pleasant planting;
\u2003he expected justice,
\u2003\u2003but saw bloodshed;
\u2003righteousness,
\u2003\u2003but heard a cry!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm: Psalm 80:7-15<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u20037<\/sup>Restore us, O God of hosts;
\u2003\u2003let your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
\u20038<\/sup>You have brought a vine out of Egypt;<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003you cast out the nations and planted it.<\/strong>
\u20039<\/sup>You cleared the ground for it;
\u2003\u2003it took root and filled the land.
\u200310<\/sup>The mountains were covered by its shadow<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.<\/strong> 
\u200311<\/sup>You stretched out its tendrils to the sea
\u2003\u2003and its branches to the river.
\u200312<\/sup>Why have you broken down its wall,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?<\/strong>
\u200313<\/sup>The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it,
\u2003\u2003and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
\u200314<\/sup>Turn now, O God of hosts,<\/strong>
\u2003\u2003look down from heaven;<\/strong>
\u200315<\/sup>behold and tend this vine;
\u2003\u2003preserve what your right hand has planted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second Reading: Philippians 3:4b-14<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Paul reviews some of his supposed credentials, which no longer have any bearing in comparison to the right relationship he has been given through the death of Christ. The power of Christ\u2019s resurrection motivates him to press on toward the ultimate goal, eternal life with Christ.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul writes: 4b<\/sup>If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: 5<\/sup>circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6<\/sup>as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
\u2003 7<\/sup>Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. 8<\/sup>More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9<\/sup>and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. 10<\/sup>I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11<\/sup>if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
\u2003 12<\/sup>Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13<\/sup>Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14<\/sup>I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gospel: Matthew 21:33-46<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jesus tells a parable to the religious leaders who are plotting his death, revealing that their plans will, ironically, bring about the fulfillment of scripture.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus said to the people: 33<\/sup>\u201cListen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. 34<\/sup>When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. 35<\/sup>But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36<\/sup>Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way. 37<\/sup>Finally he sent his son to them, saying, \u2018They will respect my son.\u2019 38<\/sup>But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, \u2018This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.\u2019 39<\/sup>So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. 40<\/sup>Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?\u201d 41<\/sup>They said to him, \u201cHe will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time.\u201d
\u2003 42<\/sup>Jesus said to them, \u201cHave you never read in the scriptures:
\u2003\u2018The stone that the builders rejected
\u2003\u2003has become the cornerstone;
\u2003this was the Lord\u2019s doing,
\u2003\u2003and it is amazing in our eyes\u2019?
43<\/sup>Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. 44<\/sup>The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.\u201d
\u2003 45<\/sup>When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. 46<\/sup>They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sermon:<\/strong> Pastor Chris Lee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hymn of the Day:<\/strong> ELW 727- “Lord Christ, When First You Came to Earth,” verses 1 and 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayers of Intercession and Lord\u2019s Prayer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With confidence in God\u2019s grace and mercy, let us pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Holy God, you call us to work for peace and justice in your vineyard. Refresh the church with your life, that we may bear fruit through work and service. Lord, in your mercy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

hear our prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for the abundant harvest of the earth. Bless and care for those whose hands bring the fruits of the earth to the tables of all who hunger. May we be inspired by your servants who cared deeply for your creation especially Francis of Assisi, whom we commemorate today. Lord, in your mercy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

hear our prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Curb the impulses of greed and pride that lead us to take advantage of others. Grant that world leaders especially President Trump, the World Health Organization, and the US Senate, seek the fruits of the kingdom for the good and welfare of all people. Lord, in your mercy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

hear our prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustain all who suffer with the promise of new life. Assured of your presence, heal our pain and suffering, and equip us to embrace all bodies aching for wholeness of mind, body, and soul. We call to mind those who are struggling today especially Sky Stoutt, Jeanna LaRue, Louise Larson, Lauren Bloomquist, Dan Wolever, and Karen Bemowski. Lord, in your mercy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

hear our prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We pray for all managers in our community and for all who seek employment. Give hope and a future to those who lack meaningful work, those who have been marginalized or abused in the workplace, and those who desire new opportunities. Lord, in your mercy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

hear our prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thank you for the saints who teach us to live faithfully in your vineyard especially Bernice Wille, who was laid to rest on September 26th and Betty Westensee, who was laid to rest on October 2nd. May our chorus join theirs until our labor is complete. Lord, in your mercy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

hear our prayer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen as we call on you, O God, and enfold in your loving arms all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peace<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Lord\u2019s Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Communion Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 595- “Jesus Loves Me!,” instrumental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prayer after Communion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We give you thanks, gracious God,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

the body and blood of Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

into your beloved vineyard<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blessing<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Father, \u2629 Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life. Amen.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sending Hymn:<\/strong> ELW 538- “The Lord Now Sends Us Forth,” (Enviado soy de Dios<\/em>) all verses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postlude:<\/strong> ELW 538 The Lord Now Sends Us Forth, Anonymous, Central America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hymn leader: Mike McCalester<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>