Sunday Worship + September 27, 2020

Licensing

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is covered under the following licenses:

• CCLI: 1510407
• OneLicense: 732293-A
• Augsburg Fortress: SAS006846

+ Jesus’ parable about two sons who don’t do what they say reveals surprises in the reign of God. In the reading from Ezekiel the people claim the ways of the Lord are unfair, while God offers repentance and new life. Paul urges us to look to Christ as a model of humility, putting the interests of others above our own. Nourished by the broken bread and shared cup, we offer our lives for the sake of our needy world. +

CONFESSION & 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.

GATHERING HYMN: Dearest Jesus, at Your Word (ELW 520 – Verses 1 & 4)

1 Dearest Jesus, at your word
we have come again to hear you;
let our thoughts and hearts be stirred
and in glowing faith be near you
as the promises here given
draw us wholly up to heaven.

4 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
praise to you and adoration!
Grant us what we need the most:
all your gospel’s consolation
while we here on earth await you,
till in heav’n with praise we greet you.

Text: Tobias Clausnitzer, 1619-1684, sts. 1-3; Gesangbuch, Berlin, 1707, st. 4; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, adapt.

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 OF PRAISE: Lord I Lift Your Name On High (ELW #857)

Lord, I lift your name on high.
Lord, I love to sing your praises.
I’m so glad you’re in my life,
I’m so glad you came to save us.

You came from heaven to earth, to show the way.
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;
from the cross to the grave,
from the grave to the sky;
Lord, I lift your name on high.

Text and music © 1989 Maranatha Praise, Inc., admin. Capitol Christian Music Group

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.

READINGS

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32

+ Ezekiel challenges those who think they cannot change because of what their parents were and did, or who think they cannot reverse their own previous behavior. God insistently invites people to turn and live. +

The first reading comes from Ezekiel beginning at the 18^th chapter.

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 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.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 25:1-9

+ Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love. (Ps. 25:6) +

Together we will read responsively from Psalm 25.

¹To you, O Lord,
  I lift up my soul.
²My God, I put my trust in you; let me not be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³Let none who look to you be put to shame;
  rather let those be put to shame who are treacherous.
⁴Show me your ways, O Lord,
and teach me your paths.
⁵Lead me in your truth and teach me,
  for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.
⁶Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love,
for they are from everlasting.
⁷Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions;
  remember me according to your steadfast love and for the sake of your goodness,
O Lord.
⁸You are gracious and upright, O Lord;
therefore you teach sinners in your way.
⁹You lead the lowly in justice
  and teach the lowly your way.

 Philippians 2:1-13

+ As part of a call for harmony rather than self-seeking, Paul uses a very early Christian hymn that extols the selflessness of Christ in his obedient death on the cross. Christ’s selfless perspective is to be the essential perspective we share as the foundation for Christian accord. +

The second reading comes from Philippians beginning at the 2^nd chapter.

¹If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, ²make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. ⁵Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
⁶who, though he was in the form of God,
  did not regard equality with God
  as something to be exploited,
⁷but emptied himself,
  taking the form of a slave,
  being born in human likeness.
 And being found in human form,
⁸he humbled himself
  and became obedient to the point of death—
  even death on a cross.

⁹Therefore God also highly exalted him
  and gave him the name
  that is above every name,
¹⁰so that at the name of Jesus
  every knee should bend,
  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹and every tongue should confess
  that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory of God the Father.

¹²Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

Word of God, Word of Life. Thanks be to God.

Children’s Message

For the Children’s message this week we invite you to check out back episodes of Morning Watch by Pastor Matt and Pastor Jesse, who are good friends of mine and ELCA pastors in Greensboro, NC. Each week day they engage children and adults alike with scripture, music, and prayer. A link to their videos is linked in the interactive bulletin found at holytrinitybellerose.wordpress.com.

Matthew 21:23-32

+ After driving the moneychangers out of the temple (21:12), Jesus begins teaching there. His authority is questioned by the religious leaders, who are supposed to be in charge of the temple. +

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew beginning at the 21^st chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.

²³When [Jesus] 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 answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
²⁸“What 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 the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermonhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/QtjgrX1kxFs?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&autohide=2&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparentActions Speak Louder than Words

HYMN OF THE DAY: O God, My Faithful God (ELW 806 – Verses 1 & 2)

1 O God, my faithful God,
true fountain ever flowing,
without whom nothing is,
all perfect gifts bestowing:
give me a healthy frame,
and may I have within
a conscience free from blame,
a soul unstained by sin.

2 Give me the strength to do
with ready heart and willing
whatever you command,
my calling here fulfilling–
to do it when I ought,
with all my might–and bless
whatever I have wrought,
for you must give success.

Text: Johann Heermann, 1585-1647; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878, alt.

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

Let us confess our faith saying the words of the Apostles’ Creed in our hearts.

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 THE PEOPLE

Drawn together in the compassion of God, we pray for the church, the world, and all those in need.

+ A brief silence. +

In all the world, give your church unity. Inspire all the baptized with the mind of Christ. Where the church is powerful and where it struggles, shape us with humility and obedience so that your love may be at work in us. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Your Son took on all of bodily life in our world, even to death. Preserve and keep your creation, O God. Mend and redeem places that are polluted and damaged, so that all of creation confesses you as Lord. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Holy God, in you alone we find safety and shelter. Be a sure refuge to all suffering from wildfires. Grant courage, protection, and favorable weather to firefighters and emergency responders; embrace with supportive communities all who are newly displaced or homeless; comfort those grieving all that has been destroyed and give patience to those who are anxious, not knowing when relief will come. Heal your whole creation, that out of flame and ashes new growth will spring forth. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn the nations toward life. Where our ways are unfair, give us new hearts and new spirits. Where sin permeates our cultures and institutions, change our minds and teach us to trust your authority. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Our lives are yours, O God. Relieve the suffering of those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit. Defend the lives and welfare of children who are abused or neglected, hungry or exploited, bullied or lonely. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Turn this congregation away from our own interests toward the interests of others. Fill us with your compassion and sympathy. Bless ministries of care in our community; make us into signs of your mercy and justice for our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Shelter all who are vulnerable in body, mind, or spirit especially Janice Rajbali-Rajgopaul, Larry Passalacqua, Al Zahner, Susan Nordhausen, the Family of Terry Wilbur, Bill Nouza, Barney Gallagher and all we name silently in our hearts, aloud in our homes, or in the comments below.  Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Healing God, we pray for those in pursuit of recovery and perseverance in the midst of the Coronavirus. We pray for all essential workers in New York City and around the world who continue to work and put their own wellbeing on the line to help us face this crisis. We pray for doctors, nurses, first responders, researchers, law enforcement, caregivers, sanitation and maintenance workers, and all working to combat COVID-19. Be with those who work in service and restaurant professions, those keeping stores stocked and making at home deliveries, for teachers both at home and online working tirelessly to give our children an education in the midst of crisis. We pray for those who transport goods to the places that need them, provide them with what they need along the journey. Keep them safe, keep them healthy, and help us to find ways to provide them with the supplies that they need to do their jobs well. We ask that you continue to be with employers and employees who are struggling to figure out how to keep things going during this time. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God, we fervently pray for all who experience racism as part of their daily realities, those who feel fear for their own safety and that of those whom they love.  We pray for all who are not treated with the respect they deserve, for we are all your children, created in your image.  We pray for those who are scared and angry that they’re fighting a seemingly endless battle for safety.  We pray for the families and friends of those who have been lost.  We pray for wisdom and safety for public officials and law enforcement.  We pray that no more harm come to our communities by anyone for any reason.  We pray for peace, and we long for a future where the dignity of all God’s children is respected and upheld.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Thank you for those who have gone into the kingdom ahead of us—tax collectors and prostitutes, likely and unlikely, obedient and slow to learn. By their witness, teach us to confess Jesus Christ as Lord in life and in death. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

All these things and whatever else you see that we need, we entrust to your mercy; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SHARING OF CHRIST’S PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you always!
And also with you!
Let us share Christ’s peace with one another.

OFFERING MESSAGE & PRAYER

Please consider continuing to mail in your offering or giving online!  We continue to have expenses that need to be covered during this time. We are most grateful for your generosity.

Let us pray. God our provider, we bring nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it. Accept the gifts you have first given us, which we bring to your table, and with them the offering of our lives. Nourish us now with the life that really is life, revealed to us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

OFFERTORY HYMN: We Are an Offering (ELW #692)

We lift our voices, we lift our hands,
we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering.
Lord, use our voices, Lord, use our hands,
Lord, use our lives, they are yours: we are an offering.
All that we have, all that we are,
all that we hope to be, we give to you, we give to you.
We lift our voices, we lift our hands,
we lift our lives up to you: we are an offering, we are an offering.

Text and music © 1984 Word Music, LLC. All rights reserved. Used By Permission.

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.

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: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

Holy, mighty, and merciful Lord,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
In great love you sent to us Jesus, your Son,
who reached out to heal the sick and suffering,
who preached good news to the poor,
and who, on the cross, opened his arms to all.

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 death, resurrection, and ascension,
we await his coming in glory.

Pour out upon us the Spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of all who share this heavenly food, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray in our hearts as Jesus taught us:

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.

COMMUNION

(We will begin in-person Holy Communion on October 4th)
All are welcome to share this meal in Holy Communion with God’s beloved community. It is because we are community called to care for one another that we wish to receive the elements as safely as possible. Once the service concludes the ushers will guide you toward the exit in the Narthex where you may receive bread and juice. You are invited to partake on the lawn, in your car, or at home, wherever you feel most comfortable. If you wish to bring Holy Communion to a neighbor who is not able to be with us in person, we will have pre-packaged elements for you to do so. Starting on October 4th viewers online may stop by the church from 11:30-Noon in order to receive Communion. Thank you for doing your part to make this sacred meal a place where there is room for all. 

TABLE BLESSING & COMMUNION PRAYER

The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen you and keep you in his grace.
Amen     

Let us pray,
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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BIRTHDAYS 

We celebrate with joy those who have birthdays in September: Vanesa Mejia, Jackie Budds, Lorraine Griffith, Cheryl Albrecht, Susan Henyan, Bill Robinson, Evelyn Kimmich, Emily Clark, Santino Sacristano, Tom Weickert, Judy Leung, Juliana Daxland-Herbe

And all others who celebrate their birthdays in September. 

Let us pray:

O Lord; creator of all that exists, we thank you for the joy of watching new life begin and the privilege of sharing in its continual growth. 

In your mercy grant that these blessings may continue for us and for our children’s children, that generations yet unborn may bless your holy name. 

BLESSING

Mothering God,
Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you and lead you into the way of truth and life.
Amen.

SENDING HYMN: Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises (ELW 535 – Verses 1 & 2)

ORIGINAL

Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona,
Di thabile kaofela.
Haleluya! Pelo tsa rona,
Di thabile kaofela.

ENGLISH

Refrain
Hallelujah! We sing your praises, 
all our hearts are filled with gladness.
Hallelujah! We sing your praises, 
all our hearts are filled with gladness.  Repeat

1 Christ the Lord to us said: 
I am wine, I am bread,
I am wine, I am bread, 
give to all who thirst and hunger.  Refrain

2 Now he sends us all out, 
strong in faith, free of doubt,
strong in faith, free of doubt. 
Tell to all the joyful gospel.  Refrain

Text: South African, tr. Freedom Is Coming, 1984
English text © 1984 Utryck, admin. Walton Music Corp.

DISMISSAL

What is our mission? Welcoming all to grow in faith; living Christ’s message of serving and loving neighbors near and far.

Go in Peace, share the Good News! Thanks be to God!