The Season after Pentecost

September 6, 2020 | 11 am

St. John’s Lutheran Church | Salisbury, NC

2Jesus called a child, whom he put among them 3and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-3

Untitled painting by Jared Barnes

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Welcome to St. John’s!

You’ll notice that our worship follows a simple pattern that has guided the church’s worship since the first century — Gather, Word, Meal, Sending — a pattern designed to nourish and

strengthen us for the week ahead. Welcome to worship!

Gathering The Holy Spirit gathers us as the people of God

Call to Worship Build My Life Written by Pat Barrett, Kirby Kaple, Karl Martin, Matt Redman and Brett Younker

Bradley Chestnut, Soloist

Prayers of Confession

We make the sign of the cross as a reminder of our baptism.

In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let us pray. God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence for reflection and self-examination. Gracious God, You are holy, You are mighty, You are worthy of praise! Holy Father, You are majestic, You are powerful, You are awesome in every way! We have seen Your glory, And experienced Your joy. But often our hearts are fickle, and the awe and wonder of Your saving grace becomes common and mundane. In Your mercy, please forgive our sin; cleanse us from our unrighteousness and heal our wayward and feckless hearts. We find hope and comfort in Your promise to forgive. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

God’s Promise of Forgiveness

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. May Almighty God strengthen you with his light, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

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Hymn 825 You Servants of God LYONS (See Page 8)

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. Let us pray.

O Lord God, enliven and preserve your church with your perpetual mercy. Without your help, we mortals will fail; remove far from us everything that is harmful, and lead us toward all that gives life and salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Word We hear God’s word in scripture reading, preaching, and song

Reading: Romans 13:8-10 8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Word of God. Word of Life. Thanks be to God! The Holy Gospel: Matthew 18:1-7 1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a child, whom he put among them, 3and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. 6If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes!”

The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

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Sermon Pastor Rhodes Woolly Hymn To Be Your Presence ENGLEBERG

(See Page 9)

Apostle’s Creed. Gathered as God’s people across time and space, let us confess our faith using the words of the 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. Solo Every Season Written by Nichole Noredman

Based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Lauren Stephenson, Soloist

Every evening sky an invitation to trace the patterned stars. And early in July a celebration for freedom that is ours.

And I notice You in children’s games, in those who watch the shade, Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder; You are summer.

And even when the trees have surrendered to the harvest time, Forfeiting their leaves in late September, and sending us inside,

Still I notice You when change begins, and I am braced for colder winds, I will offer thanks for what has been and what’s to come; You are autumn.

And everything in time and under heaven finally falls asleep. Wrapped in blankets white, all creation shivers underneath.

And still I notice You when branches crack and in my breath on frosted glass, Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter; You are winter.

Continued on next page...

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And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced, teaching us to breathe. And what was frozen through is newly purposed, turning all things green. So it is with You, and how You make me new with every season’s change.

And so it will be as You are recreating me; summer, autumn, winter, spring.

© Copyright 2000 Ariose Music, CCLI #949521

Prayers of Intercession. Each petition ends: Lord in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Lords Prayer 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.

Sending Forgiven and nourished, we are now sent into the world to share God’s love.

Benediction Sending Hymn 669 Rise Up, O Saints of God FESTAL SONG

(See page 10)

Dismissal Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! Thanks be to God! Postlude

Unless otherwise indicated, today’s service is from Evangelical Lutheran Worship

and is reproduced by permission of Augsburg Fortress Liturgies annual license #26999.

Let’s connect faith and life. Together.

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Worship Participants

SONG LEADERS: Rosemary Kinard and Randy Overcash GUEST SOLOIST: Lauren Stephenson GUEST MUSICIAN: Aleksandr Witt, trombone READER: Elizabeth Trick SOUND: Mike Agee VIDEO: Taylor Hutchins

Join Us In Prayer For The Following:

CONDOLENCES — Nancy Lippard and family on the passing of Sonny Lippard on Saturday, Aug. 22. His funeral was held at St. John’s on Wednesday, Aug. 26. THIS WEEK’S PRAYER CONCERNS — Leon Williams, Steve Summers, Natalee Taylor, Audrey Bradshaw, Dottie Bedford ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS — Cathy (Wayne Norris), Lee Wagoner, Jack Connery, Gerald Jones, Phyllis Edwards, Betty Denker, Nancy Austin, Rachel Safrit, John Myers, Bob Melton, Jane Shuping, Barbara Rufty, Hal Furr, Walter Tatum, Jim Rabon, Matt Stahl, Nancy Parrish, Thomas Livesay, David and Paula Kafitz, Karen Shelton, Gene Myers, Kent Brown HOMEBOUND — Anita Foreman, Peggy Taylor, Lois and Paul Carter, Alda Smith, Nan Graeber, Margaret Ketner, Steve Summers, Sonny Allen, Benny Banks, Dottie Bedford, Audrey Bradshaw, Hal Furr, Fran Hoke, Sherry Morgan, Ermine Peeler, Rachel Safrit, Shirley Smith, Peggy Smith, Fran Tannehill

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St. John’s Lutheran Church 200 West Innes Street ● Salisbury, North Carolina 28144 ● 704.636.3431

stjohns-salisbury.org ● To contact a staff member: first name@stjohns-salisbury.org

Pastoral Ministry Senior Pastor…………………………………………………………………………………..……....................Rhodes Woolly Pastor for Youth and Discipleship……………..……………………………………..…….………………….. Laura Henrik Visitation………………….……………………………………………………………….……………….…...………..Wade Rouzer Worship and Music Ministry Minister of Worship and the Arts.……………………………...………………………………..Rob Durocher, deacon Associate Parish Musician ………………………………………………………………….….…………....Rosemary Kinard 9:27 Worship Leader…………………………………………………..……………………………….………Bradley Chestnut 8:30 Organist………………………..……………………………….…………………………….…………..Deanna Boksleitner Production Manager…………………….…………………………………………………….………………....Taylor Hutchins Director of Music Emeritus………………………………………………………………..………..…...Karl Kinard, deacon Program Ministry Youth……………………...………………………………………………………………………..………………………. Laura Henrik Children……………………………………………………………………………………………………...….………...Stacey Shafer Adults…………………………………………………………………..………….…………………………………..…….Danny Hines Senior Adults …………...……………………………………………….………………………………………………..Diane Poole St. John’s Kindergarten (4 and 5 year olds) ……………………………………………….……………....Teresa Stoner Administrative Team Business Manager ………………………………………………………………………….………………..……..Ruth Ann Diehl Office Manager…………………………….…………………………………………………………………..……..Deborah Cross Accounting……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...Mark Bias Communications Specialist………………………..…………………………………………………..…………..Angel Owens Facilities Manager…………...……………………………………………………………………..……………………...Jon Koppe Maintenance...……………………..………………………………………………………………………..……...David Ellenburg

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