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Sunday, September 27th, 2020, 10:00am

17th Sunday after Pentecost

“Turn, then, and Live”

Welcome to worship today!

GATHERING____________________________________________________________________________________ The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God.

Please join in singing as we gather for worship

Prelude – “O Master, Let Me Walk with You” 1 O Master, let me walk with you in lowly paths of service true; tell me your secret; help me bear the strain of toil, the fret of care. 2 Help me the slow of heart to move by some clear, winning word of love; teach me the wayward feet to stay, and guide them in the homeward way. 3 Teach me your patience; share with me a closer, dearer company, in work that keeps faith sweet and strong, in trust that triumphs over wrong, 4 In hope that sends a shining ray far down the future's broad'ning way, in peace that only you can give; with you, O Master, let me live. Text: Washington Gladden, 1836-1918, alt.

Prelude continues on next page. Please join in singing as we gather for worship!

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Prelude – “O Blessed Spring” 1 O blessed spring, where word and sign embrace us into Christ the Vine: here Christ enjoins each one to be a branch of this life-giving Tree. 2 Through summer heat of youthful years, uncertain faith, rebellious tears, sustained by Christ's infusing rain, the boughs will shout for joy again. 3 When autumn cools and youth is cold, when limbs their heavy harvest hold, then through us, warm, the Christ will

move with gifts of beauty, wisdom, love. 4 As winter comes, as winters must, we breathe our last, return to dust; still held in Christ, our souls take wing and trust the promise of the spring. 5 Christ, holy Vine, Christ, living Tree, be praised for this blest mystery: that word and water thus revive and join us to your Tree of Life.

Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, b. 1953

Text © 1993 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg Fortress

Prelude – “God is Here!” 1 God is here! As we your people meet to offer praise and prayer, may we find in fuller measure what it is in Christ we share. Here, as in the world around us, all our varied skills and arts wait the coming of the Spirit into open minds and hearts. 2 Here are symbols to remind us of our lifelong need of grace; here are table, font, and pulpit; here the cross has central place. Here in honesty of preaching, here in silence, as in speech, here, in newness and renewal, God the Spirit comes to each. 3 Here our children find a welcome in the Shepherd's flock and fold; here as bread and wine are taken, Christ sustains us as of old. Here the servants of the Servant seek in worship to explore what it means in daily living to believe and to adore. 4 Lord of all, of church and kingdom, in an age of change and doubt, keep us faithful to the gospel; help us work your purpose out. Here, in this day's dedication, all we have to give, receive; we, who cannot live without you, we adore you! We believe!

Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000

Text © 1979 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL

60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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Welcome and Announcements ............................................................ Pastor Micah Pearson Confession and Forgiveness All may make the sign of the cross, the sign marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who creates, redeems, and sustains us and all of creation. Amen. Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Silence is kept for reflection. Faithful God, have mercy on us. We confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We turn from your loving embrace and go our own ways. We pass judgment on one another before examining ourselves. We place our own needs before those of our neighbors. We keep your gift of salvation to ourselves. Make us humble, cast away our transgressions, and turn us again to life in you through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. God hears the cries of all who call out in need, and through his death and resurrection, Christ has made us his own. Hear the truth that God proclaims: Your sins are forgiven in the name of

☩ Jesus Christ. Led by the Holy Spirit, live in freedom and newness to do God’s work in the world. Amen.

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Opening Hymn – “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word”

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 God of love, giver of life, you know our frailties and failings. Give us your grace to overcome them, keep us from those things that harm us, and guide us in the way of salvation, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

WORD__________________________________________________________________________________________

God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.

Reading ................................................................................................. Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 1The word of the LORD came to me: 2What do you mean by repeating this proverb

concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"? 3As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. 4Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die.

25Yet you say, "The way of the LORD is unfair." Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28Because they considered

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and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the LORD is unfair." O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

30Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God!

Hymn of Praise – “Create in Me a Clean Heart”

Children’s Message .............................................................................. Pastor Micah Pearson Gospel Reading ......................................................................................... Matthew 21:23-32

The holy gospel according to St. Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord 23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him

as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?" 24Jesus said to them, "I will also ask you one question; if you tell me the answer, then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things. 25Did the baptism of John come from heaven, or was it of human origin?" And they argued with one another, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' 26But if we say, 'Of human origin,' we are afraid of the crowd; for all regard John as a prophet." 27So they

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answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

28What do you think? A man had two sons; he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29He answered, 'I will not'; but later he changed his mind and went. 30The father went to the second and said the same; and he answered, 'I go, sir'; but he did not go. 31Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him; and even after you saw it, you did not change your minds and believe him.

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

Message – “Turn, then, and Live” ........................................................ Pastor Micah Pearson

Hymn of the Day – “What God Ordains is Good Indeed”

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Prayers of the People

We now continue with our Prayers of the People. After each prayer petition, you will hear the words “Lord, in your mercy…” Please respond with “Hear our prayer.” Greeting of Peace

We invite those in cars to “toot” their horn three times as a sign of greeting to one another. Offer an elbow-bump to those around you if you wish.

MEAL______________________________________________________________________ God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

The Great Thanksgiving 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.

Proper 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:

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Holy, Holy, Holy

The Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer 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.

Communion Taste and see that the Lord is good. All are invited to partake from your individual Communion sets.

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Hymn at Communion – “Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful”

Post-Communion Prayer We give you thanks, gracious God, that you have once again fed us with food beyond compare, the body and blood of Christ. Lead us from this place, nourished and forgiven, into your beloved vineyard to wipe away the tears of all who hunger and thirst, guided by the example of the same Jesus Christ and led by the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

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SENDING_________________________________________________________________ God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

Blessing

Sending Hymn – “On Our Way Rejoicing”

Dismissal Go in peace. Remember the poor. Thanks be to God.

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Postlude – “On what Has Now Been Sown”

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WORSHIP TIMES

2120 West 76th Street Richfield, MN 55423 Phone: 612-866-8449 office@woodlakechurch.org

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Next Parking Lot Worship:

Sunday, October 11, 10am

Pastors: Neal Cannon & Micah Pearson Director of Worship and Music: Joshua Lindgren Cantor: Monique Rupp

Worship Coordinator: Muriel Holland Maintenance Engineer: John Call Members of the Pandemic Preparedness Team: Starr Carriere, Scott Dahlquist, Kathy MacCormick, Augie Schauer, Shirley Stroud, Rick Sunstrom, Dave Thompson

Copyright Acknowledgements: Some printed materials from Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2020 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #45439. 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.