Announcements
Confession and Forgiveness
Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
our maker, our helper, and our keeper.
Amen.
Trusting in God’s mercy, let us confess our sin
in the presence of God and of one another.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Merciful and loving God,
we are your stiff-necked people.
We trample on the needy.
We grumble about your grace to others.
We turn away from the poor.
Have mercy on us and forgive our sins.
Rejoice over us as ones who were lost
and have been found.
Amen.
Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful.
Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.
You who were lost have been found.
In the name of ☩ Jesus, your sins are forgiven!
Amen.
Opening Hymn
ELW 532 - Gather Us In (vs. 1 & 2)
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
Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
Hymn of Praise
ELW 525 - You Are Holy
First Reading:Jeremiah 31:31-34
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 46
The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. (Ps. 46:7)
1 God is our ref- | uge and strength,
a very present | help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the | earth be moved,
and though the mountains shake in the depths | of the sea;
3 though its waters | rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble | with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the cit- | y of God,
the holy habitation of | the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall | not be shaken;
God shall help it at the | break of day.
6 The nations rage, and the | kingdoms shake;
God speaks, and the earth | melts away. R
7 The Lord of | hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob | is our stronghold.
8 Come now, regard the works | of the Lord,
what desolations God has brought up- | on the earth;
9 behold the one who makes war to cease in | all the world;
who breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the | shields with fire.
10 “Be still, then, and know that | I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted | in the earth.”
11 The Lord of | hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob | is our stronghold. R
Second Reading: Romans 3:19-28
19 Now we know that, whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed and is attested by the Law and the Prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; 26 it was to demonstrate at the present time his own righteousness, so that he is righteous and he justifies the one who has the faith of Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? That of works? No, rather through the law of faith. 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation
ELW Setting 8
Gospel: John 8:31-36
This is the holy gospel according to John the 8th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.
31 Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, ‘You will be made free’?”
34 Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon
Hymn of the Day
ELW 504 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (vs. 1 & 2)
The Apostle's Creed
Prayers of Intercession
Renewed in God’s everlasting grace, let us pray for the church, the world, and all creation.
A brief silence.
Free your church, O God, with grace, mercy, and love to be transformed by your word. Direct your church to be united in word and deed so that all creation knows the uniting and transforming power of the gospel. God of grace,
receive our prayer.
Renew creation, O God, so that all living creatures thrive together. Guide those who work to restore and renew creation. Preserve and care for endangered species throughout the world. God of grace,
receive our prayer.
Bring peace among the nations, O God, so violence and terror are not the norm on your earth. Inspire leaders of communities to work for peace and justice. Unite our politicians with a common mission and purpose. God of grace,
receive our prayer.
Heal all who suffer, O God, and bring them peace. Draw near to people who are incarcerated. Give hope to people experiencing housing or employment insecurity, oppression, or discrimination. Heal those who are ill (especially). Be our stronghold at all times. God of grace,
receive our prayer.
Forgive us our sins, O God, and grant us your grace. Move us to understanding and reconciliation between people of other faiths and other Christian traditions in our community. Mend hurt feelings and heal wounds we have caused one another. God of grace,
receive our prayer.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
We give you thanks, O God, for the life and witness of all your saints (especially Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt). Give us hope in your son’s victory through the cross. God of grace,
receive our prayer.
We offer our prayers, O God, trusting in your everlasting grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Passing of Peace
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you.
Anthem
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (Gordon Young)
Offertory Hymn
ELW 181 - Let the Vineyards Be Fruitful
Offertory Prayer
Lord of the harvest,
we return to you a portion of what you have given to us.
Turn us to set our hope not on the uncertainty of riches,
but on you, who richly provides for us.
Multiply what we have gathered
to bless all who are suffering and in need,
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, 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. Fulfilling the
promise of the resurrection, you pour out the fire of your Spirit,
uniting in one body people of every nation and tongue.
And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of
the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and
with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise
your name and join their unending hymn:
WOV Setting 8
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory, full of your glory.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Thanksgiving at the Table
Holy God, our Maker, Redeemer, and Healer, in the harmonious
world of your creation, the plants and animals, the seas and stars
were whole and well in your praise.
When sin had scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills
and to form us again into one.
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.
Remembering, therefore, his acts of healing, his body given up,
and his victory over death, we await that day when all the
peoples of the earth will come to the river to enjoy the tree of
life.
Send your Spirit upon us and this meal: as grains scattered on
the hillside become one bread, so let your Church be gathered
from the ends of the earth, that all may be fed with the Bread of
life, your Son.
Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father,
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever.Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hollowed by 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.
God feeds us with tender mercy.
Come to the table.
Lamb of God
ELW Setting 8
Communion Hymns
CCLI - Open Our Eyes
CCLI - Give Thanks
CCLI - Sanctuary
ELW 801 - Change My Heart, O God
The Table Blessing
Jesus welcomes sinners and eats with them.
Come to this meal of mercy.
Post Communion
ELW 204 - Thankful Hearts and Voices Raise
Prayer After Communion
O God,
through this meal you have strengthened us
and appointed us to be your servants.
Send us to do good and to share our possessions
with all in need.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Blessing
The God of righteousness,
who gives justice to the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry,
who sets the prisoners free,
☩ bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Sending Hymn
ELW 857 - Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
Dismissal
Go in peace. Do not lose heart.
Thanks be to God.
Photo by Erika Giraud on Unsplash
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