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Welcome to Christ Lutheran Church

September 12, 2021 – Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Note: All hymns are printed in the back of the bulletin.

PRELUDE

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

QUILTER RECOGNITION AND BLESSING

Gracious God, as we place our hands on these quilts, we join giver and receiver,

recognizing the unity of all your people in the body of Christ.

We celebrate being the children of God.

We give thanks for the variety of gifts that compose these Quilts: donations of fabric,

thread and sewing machines, the faithful people who cut the squares, design the

patterns, sew the tops, iron the fabric, make backs and fillers, tie and stitch the

bindings, provide publicity, donate boxes, pack the Quilts, bring food to sustain the

quilters and contribute the money for shipping these Quilts.

We celebrate generosity.

We give thanks for the fellowship of all who work together to make the Quilts, the

laughter, the shared stories, the joy of crafting something with one's hands and heart

for another and the time to reflect and wonder about the recipient.

We celebrate community.

We send these Quilts as a sign of God's love and blessing for each person who receives

one, trusting that their Quilt will be a source of comfort and hope in the midst of

disaster and fear, a symbol of Christ's love to those who suffer, a reminder that each

recipient is a beloved child of God.

We pray that these Quilts will serve a useful purpose in the life of the recipient; that

they will bring warmth in the cold, shelter from the sun and heat, a wall for a home,

or a carrier for a few precious belongings. May it be a step in recovering one's life

and a message of care from someone they may never meet.

We celebrate hope in the midst of life's trials.

We remember those who have received our Quilts in the past and pray that their lives

have returned to stability.

We celebrate the gift of life.

We ask that you bless the fruits of our labor and the whole mission of Lutheran World

Relief, that together we may minister to our neighbors in need.

Bless all who give and all who receive, as we are sewn together in the unity of your

Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen

220 S. Main St. office@christlutherandeforest.org

DeForest, WI 53532 www.christlutherandeforest.org

608-846-4718

Pastor Sue Beadle Neil McLaughlin, Choir Director

Vicki Sobczak, Pianist Deacon Bonnie Vize, Organist

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OPENING HYMN #595 – “Jesus Loves Me!” (Printed in the back of the bulletin.)

PASTORAL 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.

HYMN ACS #1009 – “Come. Bring Your Burdens” (Sing twice.) (Printed below.)

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, whose teaching is life, whose presence is sure,

and whose love is endless. Amen.

Let us confess our sins to the one who welcomes us with an open heart.

Silence for reflection and self-examination.

God our comforter:

like lost sheep, we have gone astray. We gaze upon abundance and see scarcity.

We turn our faces away from injustice and oppression. We exploit the earth with

our apathy and greed. Free us from our sin, gracious God. Listen when we call out

to you for help. Lead us by your love to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. By the gift of grace in ☩ Christ Jesus,

God makes you righteous. Receive with glad hearts the forgiveness of all your sins.

Amen.

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SONG OF PRAISE

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray.

O God, through suffering and rejection you bring forth our salvation, and by the

glory of the cross you transform our lives. Grant that for the sake of the gospel we

may turn from the lure of evil, take up our cross, and follow your Son, Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Lord. Amen.

FIRST READING – Psalm 116:5-14

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Gracious is the LORD and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6

The LORD watches

over the innocent; I was brought low, and God saved me. 7

Turn again to your rest, O

my soul. For the LORD has dealt well with you. 8

For you have rescued my life from

death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling; 9

I will walk in the presence of

the LORD in the land of the living. 10

I believed, even when I said, "I am greatly afflicted."

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In my distress I said, "No one can be trusted." 12

How shall I repay the LORD for all the

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good things God has done for me? 13

I will lift the cup of salvation and call on the name

of the LORD. 14

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all God's people.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING – James 3:1-12

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Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that

we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2

For all of us make many mistakes.

Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in

check with a bridle. 3

If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we

guide their whole bodies. 4

Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong

winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of

the pilot directs. 5

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6

And the tongue is a fire. The tongue

is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on

fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7

For every species of beast and

bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human

species, 8

but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9

With

it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness

of God. 10

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters,

this ought not to be so. 11

Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh

and brackish water? 12

Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine

figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

This is the Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (Please stand and sing.)

This is the good news according to St. Mark.

Glory to you, O Lord.

GOSPEL – Mark 8:27-38

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Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way

he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28

And they answered him, “John

the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29

He asked them,

“But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30

And he

sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

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Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and

be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after

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three days rise again. 32

He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began

to rebuke him. 33

But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said,

“Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human

things.”

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He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become

my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35

For

those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake,

and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36

For what will it profit them to gain the

whole world and forfeit their life? 37

Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?

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Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful

generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory

of his Father with the holy angels.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

SERMON

HYMN THE DAY #608 – “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” (Printed in the back

of the bulletin.)

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.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Made children and heirs of God’s promise, we pray for the church, the world, and all

in need.

A brief silence.

Revealing God, you have made yourself known through bread and wine, water and

word. Continue to nurture your church, that it is a place where your presence is

experienced and shared. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

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Creating God, you brought life into being and called it good. Bring new creation to lands

devastated by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and other disasters. Restore forests

and curb overflowing waters. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Protecting God, you desire all people to live in peace and safety. Provide for all who

are in danger. Strengthen first responders to help meet the complex needs of others.

Provide care and compassion as they face trauma themselves. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Transforming God, you announce release to the captives and freedom to the oppressed.

Break chains of discrimination and injustice. Amplify voices that go unheard and

inspire us to advocate for those who are overlooked. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Forming God, you gather this community together. Shape our communal life, that in

our prayer, praise, and worship, we honor you and encourage one another. Keep our

disagreements civil and increase our joy in working together. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

Redeeming God, you accompany your people through every stage of life. We give you

thanks for the saints who now rest in your embrace. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer.

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

Christ our Lord.

Amen.

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.

It is indeed right, our duty and our joy…

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WORDS OF INSTITUTION

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.

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Let us pray for God’s kingdom to come here, now and forever:

THE LORD’S 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.

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INVITATION TO COMMUNION

Come to the Lord’s Supper, for all is now ready.

Pastor Sue will lead you when to open the communion cup package.

SHARING THE MEAL

All are welcome to receive the Real Presence of Christ in the bread and wine of Holy

Communion. You do not need to be a member of this church or a Lutheran to receive the

sacrament. We do ask that you desire a relationship with Jesus Christ. Welcome!

The Body of Christ given to you. (Please eat the wafer from the top of the communion

cup.)

The Blood of Christ shed for you. (Please drink the juice/wine from the bottom of the

communion cup.)

PASTORAL BLESSING

May the body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep

you in His grace.

Amen.

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.

PRAYER FOR HOME COMMUNION MINISTRY

Gracious God, you took the form of a servant, offering yourself as food, comfort, and

strength to a sick and hurting world. Anoint with a servant heart those who take your

word and sacrament to our sisters and brothers in their homes, in prisons and in

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hospitals. Grant grace, mercy, healing, and hope to those who feast on your body and

blood and receive your words of new life. May we all recognize that we have a place

and a home in the body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

BENEDICTION

SENDING HYMN #856 – “How Great Thou Art” (Printed in the back of the bulletin.)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. And serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please be seated and wait for the ushers to dismiss you from the back to the front.

Postlude

Copyright © 2021 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS001577. 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. Revised Common Lectionary, Copyright © 1992 Consultation on Common Texts, admin Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Used by permission. All

rights reserved. One License.net. Annual License #A-709334.

Altar Flowers The flowers on the altar today are in memory of Molly Emerson, wife of Richard

Emerson, mother of Tim and Scott Emerson, and grandmother to Isabelle and Kay

Emerson. Molly’s birthday is in September.

Quilter Recognition Sunday

We will be showcasing the hard work of our quilters today. We would like to

acknowledge the group of quilters in our congregation that meet each month to make

quilts. They are: Cathy Nelson, Janice Fritz, Rose Kirkeng, Connie Nelson, Jen Lange,

Tina Standish, Monnie Von Behren, Beth Brining and Pam Hamele.

The quilts will then be packed up on Saturday, September 18th, and shipped off to

people all over the world in need of comfort and warmth. Also, some of the quilts will

be given to the DeForest Area Needs Network and the DeForest Senior Center in

December.

New Member Class

Pastor Sue is offering a class for new members on Sunday, October 3rd, at 9:15 am,

between the church services. The meeting will be held downstairs in the Norse Korner.

Please come and learn more about Christ Lutheran Church. If you have any questions

or are unable to make the class and would like to join CLC, please call Pastor Sue at

846-4718. Welcome!

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OPENING HYMN #595 – “Jesus Loves Me!”

Koats for Kids This year’s collection drive will be held Monday, September 6th –Wednesday, October 6th. If

you have any gently-used winter coats, non-leather hats, scarves and mittens (pinned in

pairs please) that you would like to donate, there will be a box in the Friendship

Room. Klinke Cleaners will clean all items, then hand them off to the Community Action

Coalition for distribution in late October. All sizes are in demand, but there is a particular

need for infant and toddler sizes, as well as larger teen sizes (12-22) and larger adult sizes

(L-3XL).

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HYMN OF THE DAY #608 - “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling”

Ushers Needed As we return to two services, we are looking for people to help with in the services.

We need 6 to 8 to help with each service. Please call or send an email to the church

office. Thank you!

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SENDING HYMN #856 – “How Great Thou Art”

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Lutefisk Posters and Worker Sign-Up Please help us get the word out about CLC’s Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner. We have

posters for you to pick up to display at your work and area businesses. Also, be sure

to tell your family and friends about it. It’s one of the best ways to promote the dinner!

We need lots of volunteers to work the day of the dinner. Please sign up on the board

in the Narthex for your choice of jobs and time slots. You may also sign-up online at

SignUpGenius.com, call the Church office or complete the sign-up sheet in the Door

Post. Thank you!

Call David Erickson 608-513-9137 if you have any questions. Thanks!

Afghan Refugee Support Needs

An updated list of supplies needed to support the Afghan refugees is on the back page

of this bulletin. There is a large bin in the Narthex to collect the donations. Thank you

for your help and support of these unfortunate refugees.

Today’s Usher Team

8:00 am Team Lockman

10:30 am Team Emerson

Today’s Scripture Readers

8:00 am Beth Erickson

10:30 am Barb Strade

We are still following CDC and Dane County requirements. Remember that face masks are required for in-person worship. They may be removed

during Communion, but should be on for the rest of the service.

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