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Midvale Community Lutheran Church Online Worship Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost - October 10, 2021

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

Prelude Consolation in Db major Franz Liszt

Welcome and Announcements

Call to Worship (adapted from Psalm 84 and 24)

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts!

The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!

My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.

The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise.

The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!

2 As they go through the valley of Baca,

the valley of tears, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it!

Song

3 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 The eyes of all look to you, O God. Turn our hearts and minds to your open hand that provides for every living thing, so that we may know your generosity and participate in the healing and restoration of all that you have made, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. Amen.

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

Children’s Message

Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

We cannot hide our thoughts, desires, and actions from God, to whom we are completely accountable. Nevertheless, Jesus understands our human weakness and temptations, because he also experienced them. Therefore we can approach the throne of grace to receive divine mercy from Christ.

12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

4 Gospel Acclamation

The holy gospel according to St. Mark, the 10th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: Mark 10:17-31

Jesus has been teaching his disciples about what is most valued in God’s eyes. Now, a conversation with a rich man brings his message home to the disciples in a way that is surprising but unforgettable.

17 As [Jesus] was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

28 Peter began to say to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

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

5 Sermon

Song

6 Prayers of Intercession After each petition: Gracious God,

Inspire us to love the whole of creation.

Receive these prayers, O God, and those in our hearts known only to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Offering An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. We recognize both the financial offerings given electronically and those received in the mail. These donations are a sign of giving our whole selves in grateful response for all God’s gifts.

For those that would like to donate online, here is the QR code to the giving page of our website:

Offering and Prayer Blessed are you, O God, maker of all things. You have set before us these gifts of your good creation. Prepare us for your heavenly banquet, nourish us with this rich food and drink, and send us forth to set tables in the midst of a suffering world, through the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

MEAL God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.

The minister and the assembly set their tables.

The Great Thanksgiving

Dialogue 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.

7 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.

Invitation to Communion All who hunger and thirst, come. The table is ready.

As the bread and wine are given, say: The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you.

The communicant may respond, “Amen.” or “Thanks be to God.” Silence for reflection may follow.

For those not yet receiving communion, a blessing may be given by marking the sign of the cross on the forehead and saying, “Jesus loves you.”

Prayer after Communion Lord of life, in the gift of your body and blood you turn the crumbs of our faith into a feast of salvation. Send us forth into the world with shouts of joy, bearing witness to the abundance of your love in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

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

Blessing May God our Creator bless and keep you, may Jesus, child of the earth, walk with you, and may the Holy Spirit, wind and fire, give you hope and peace. Amen.

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

Dismissal Go in peace, care for all creation. Thanks be to God.

Postlude Confidence Felix Mendelssohn

8 Thank you to those serving today Preaching Pastor Katie Baardseth Presiding Pastor Blake Rohrer Accompanist Michael Keller Vocalist Laura Svaren AV Technician Aaron Mertzenich Livestream Moderator Joe Johnson

Liturgy words from the World Council of Churches Season of Creation Celebration Guide. 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. Additional words & music used by permission under ONE LICENSE #A-72452. All rights reserved.