Sunday, September 6, 2015A Life By Faith Holy Communion

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS  Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, the creator of wind and rain, field and ocean, the bread of life coming down from above, the power at work within us and this world. Amen.

In this earthly sanctuary, we confess our sins before God and one another. God of promise, C: We worship you in this holy place and bring our offering of

confession and devotion to you. For the wrongs we have done, for the people we have hurt, and for the good we have failed to do, forgive us. Restore us to wholeness in you, and rejoice with us in your holy sanctuary. Amen.

In this holy house, God does rejoice in what we bring. Today our sins are forgiven, and we are made new in Christ. Amen.

PEACE  The peace of Christ be with you always.And also with you.

GATHERING SONG: THE GATHERED SHALL CHOOSE! 

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.

KYRIE   (Red Hymnal p. 147)In peace, let us pray to the Lord.Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above,and for our salvation,let us pray to the Lord.Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the whole world,for the well-being of the Church of God,and for the unity of all,let us pray to the Lord.Lord, have mercy.

For this holy house,and for all who offer here their worship and praise,let us pray to the Lord.Lord, have mercy.

Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.Amen.

CANTICLE OF PRAISE (Red Hymnal p. 149)

This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.Power and riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.This is the feast of victory for our God. Alleluia.

Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymn of all creation:

Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.

This is the feast of victory for our God, for the Lamb who was slain has begun his reign.

Alleluia. Alleluia.

PRAYER OF THE DAY 

Let us pray. God of great witnesses, C: You have set before us many examples of faith and righteousness. Open our eyes to see what they saw, to live as they lived, and to walk in faith as they walked in faith. Amen.

NARRATIVE READING Hebrews 11:1-16; 12:1-2

A reading from Hebrews.Chapter 111Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.2Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

4By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain's. Through this he received approval as righteous, God himself giving approval to his gifts; he died, but through his faith he still speaks.5By faith Enoch was taken so that he did not experience death; and "he was not found, because God had taken him." For it was attested before he was taken away that "he had pleased God."

6And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.7By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.

8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.9By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.10For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.11By faith he received power of procreation,

even though he was too old — and Sarah herself was barren — because he considered him faithful who had promised.12Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, "as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore."13All of these died in faith without having received the promises,

but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth,14for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.15If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return.16But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.

Chapter 121Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.

The word of the Lord.Thanks be to God.

PSALM   Psalm 146

  1 Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, O my soul!

  2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

  3 Put not your trust in rulers, in mortals in whom there is no help.

  4 When they breathe their last, they return to earth, and in that day their thoughts perish. 

5 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help, whose hope is in the Lord their God;

  

6 who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps promises forever;

  7 who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger. The LORD sets the captive free.

8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 

  9 The LORD cares for the stranger; the LORD sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.

  10 The LORD shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah! 

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION - FAITH Celtic Alleluia (Red Hymnal # 174)

Alleluia, alleluia.Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION  (Red Hymnal p. 151)

Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?You have the words of eternal life.Alleluia.

GOSPEL Luke 12:22-23, 30-34The holy gospel according to Luke.Glory to you, O Lord.

22He said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,

what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.30For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.31Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to

you as well. 32Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.33Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves

that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Children’s Sermon

Sermon

Pastor Michael Peuse

HYMN OF THE DAY  The God of Abraham Praise 

(Red Hymnal # 831)

1 The God of Abr'ham praise,who reigns enthroned above;Ancient of everlasting days,

and God of love--"I Am the One I Am"--

by earth and heav'n confessed;I bow and bless the sacred name

forever blest.

3 The God of Abr'ham praise!Your all-sufficient grace

shall guide me all my pilgrim daysin all my ways.

You deign to call me friend;you call yourself my God!

And you will save me to the endthrough Jesus' blood.

6 The goodly land I see,with peace and plenty blest;

a land of sacred libertyand endless rest.

There milk and honey flow,and oil and wine abound,

and trees of life forever growwith mercy crowned.

8 The whole triumphant hostgive thanks to God on high.

"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"they ever cry.

Hail, Abr'ham's God and mine!I join the heav'nly lays:

to you be glory, might divine,and endless praise!

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION  With confidence in God’s compassion and generosity, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of God’s creation.God of grace and faith, fill us with the assurance of your love and presence, so that we might live and act with faith and joy. Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer.

Into your loving hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your abundant mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

OFFERTORY RESPONSE   (Red Hymnal #188)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me.Cast me not away from your presence,and take not your Holy Spirit from me.Restore unto me the joy of your salvation,and uphold me with your free Spirit.

OFFERING PRAYER  Holy God, by your great generosity you have given us so much. You have filled our lives with people who love us and who love you. C: You have planted the seed of your word on our hearts. You have given us faith beyond imagination. Receive these gifts that we gratefully return to you; signs of our great love and hopeful faith. Amen.

DIALOGUE (Red Hymnal p. 152)

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; who on this day overcame death and the grave, and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life.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:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY (Red Hymnal p. 153)

Holy, holy, holy Lord,Lord God of pow’r and might:Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE 

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.

LORD’S PRAYER   Lord, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray.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.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION  Jesus said, “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

COMMUNION  The body of Christ, given for you.The blood of Christ, shed for you.Amen.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Wise and generous God,

C: we thank you that at this holy table you have fed us againwith the food of everlasting life. Send us with your blessing to seek the good of our neighbor and call others to your feast; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.Amen.

BLESSING

Almighty and merciful God, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep youthis day and forevermore. Amen.

SENDING SONG  Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer (Red Hymnal # 618)

1 Guide me ever, great Redeemer,pilgrim through this barren land.I am weak, but you are mighty;hold me with your pow'rful hand.Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,feed me now and evermore,feed me now and evermore.

2 Open now the crystal fountainwhere the healing waters flow;let the fire and cloudy pillarlead me all my journey through.Strong deliv'rer, strong deliv'rer,shield me with your mighty arm,shield me with your mighty arm.

3 When I tread the verge of Jordan,bid my anxious fears subside;death of death and hell's destruction,land me safe on Canaan's side.Songs and praises, songs and praises,I will raise forevermore,I will raise forevermore.

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Live in love, as Christ loved us.

Thanks be to God.

Copyright © 2015 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #25422.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.