Sunday Worship + October 16, 2022

Licensing

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church is covered under the following licenses:

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

CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS

Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God, who is eager to forgive
and who loves us beyond our days.
Amen.

Dear friends, together let us acknowledge our failure to love this world as Jesus does.

+ Silence is kept for reflection. +

God of mercy and forgiveness,

we confess that sin still has a hold on us.
We have harmed your good creation.
We have failed to do justice,
love kindness,
and walk humbly with you.
Turn us in a new direction.
Show us the path that leads to life.
Be our refuge and strength on the journey,
through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and friend.
Amen.

Beloved of God:
your sins are forgiven ☩ and you are made whole.
God points the way to new life in Christ,
who meets us on the road.
Journey now in God’s abiding love
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

GATHERING HYMN O Word of God Incarnate (ELW #514+ Verses 1 & 3)

1    O Word of God incarnate,
      O Wisdom from on high,
      O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
      O Light of our dark sky:
      we praise you for the radiance
      that from the hallowed page,
      a lantern to our footsteps,
      shines on from age to age.

4   Oh, make your church, dear Savior,
      a lamp of burnished gold
      to bear before the nations
      your true light, as of old;
      oh, teach your wand’ring pilgrims
      by this their path to trace,
      till, clouds and darkness ended,
      they see you face to face.

Text: William W. How, 1823-1897, alt.

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

O Lord God, tireless guardian of your people, you are always ready to hear our cries. Teach us to rely day and night on your care. Inspire us to seek your enduring justice for all this suffering world, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

READINGS

Jeremiah 31:27-34

+ After uttering many oracles of judgment, Jeremiah announces a day of hope when God will make a new covenant with Israel and Judah, a covenant written upon their hearts and sealed with God’s forgiveness. +

The first reading is from Jeremiah beginning at the 31^st chapter.

²⁷The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of humans and the seed of animals. ²⁸And just as I have watched over them to pluck up and break down, to overthrow, destroy, and bring evil, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord. ²⁹In those days they shall no longer say:
 “The parents have eaten sour grapes,
  and the children’s teeth are set on edge.”
³⁰But all shall die for their own sins; the teeth of everyone who eats sour grapes shall be set on edge.
 ³¹The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. ³²It 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. ³³But 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. ³⁴No 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.

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

Psalm 119:97-104

+ Your words are sweet to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. (Ps. 119:103) +

We will now read responsively from Psalm 119.

⁹⁷Oh, how I love your teaching!
  All the day long it is in my mind.
 ⁹⁸Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies,
  for it is always with me.
 ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,
  for your decrees are my study.
 ¹⁰⁰I am wiser than the elders,
  because I observe your commandments.
 ¹⁰¹I restrain my feet from every evil way,
  that I may keep your word.
 ¹⁰²I do not turn aside from your judgments,
  because you yourself have taught me.
 ¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste!
  They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
 ¹⁰⁴Through your commandments I gain understanding;
  therefore I hate every lying way.

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

+  The writer of this letter continues his instruction of Timothy, his younger colleague in ministry, by emphasizing the importance of faithful teaching despite opposition. +

The second reading is from 2 Timothy beginning at the 3^rd chapter.

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
 ^4:1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: ²proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. ³For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, ⁴and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. ⁵As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Word of God, word of life.
Thanks be to God.    

Luke 18:1-18

+ Jesus tells a parable of an unjust judge who is worn down by a widow’s pleas. Jesus is calling God’s people to cry out for justice and deliverance. For if an unethical judge will ultimately grant the plea of a persistent widow, how much more will God respond to those who call. +

The Holy Gospel according to Luke beginning at the 18^th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord

¹Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. ²He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. ³In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against my opponent.’ ⁴For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, ‘Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.’ ” ⁶And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? ⁸I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

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

SERMON Rev. Analyse Triolo

HYMN OF THE DAY Rise Up, O Saints of God (ELW #669 + Verses 1 – 3)

1    Rise up, O saints of God!
      From vain ambitions turn;
      Christ rose triumphant that your hearts
      with nobler zeal might burn.

2 Speak out, O saints of God!
      Despair engulfs earth’s frame;
      as heirs of God’s baptismal grace,
      his word of hope proclaim.

3   Rise up, O saints of God!
      His kingdom’s task embrace;
      redress sin’s cruel consequence;
      give justice larger place.

Text © Norman O. Forness, admin. Augsburg Fortress

THE APOSTLES’ CREED

Let us confess our faith saying the words of the 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 THE PEOPLE

In gratitude and humility, let us join together in prayer on behalf of all of God’s creation.

+ A brief silence. +

For all the baptized, that they become skilled in compassion and grace and equipped to share the good news with all. Grant your followers persistence in proclamation and prayer. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For air and sky, clouds and sun, that they provide rain to parched land and relief to flooded ground. Renew and restore our polluted atmosphere and empower us to be worthy stewards of creation. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For judges, juries, and all who work in the judicial system, that they desire wisdom, seek truth, rule with fairness, and have the courage to do what is right. Eliminate oppression and injustice in our criminal justice system. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For all who are lonely, especially those who have newly arrived in an unfamiliar city or country, political prisoners without recourse to justice, hospital patients without visitors, and any who are ill or grief-stricken Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For those in our congregation and community engaged in advocacy work, that with the persistence of the widow, they lift their voices in seeking justice on behalf of others. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For people at high risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 — the elderly and people with chronic health conditions. Protect them from the virus and be their comfort in this time of uncertainty. We also pray for those in our community who need your healing care, especially Harry Lund, Evelyn Lund, Karen Campbell,  Darrell Weller, Laura Occhiogrosso,  Charlie Ng, Bob Sarro, John Bono, Cindy Tuthill, Tom Sanfedele, Phil Hartman, Elizabeth Field and the family of Sarah Hurley. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For the whole church, that we may receive the grace to see every human being as a child of God, regardless of race, language, or culture. We also pray for all impacted by senseless gun violence in our world. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

For those who have taught us faith and now rest in your heavenly peace, that we remember and give thanks for these saints who shared the gospel through word and deed. Receive our prayer, O God.
Your mercy is great.

With grateful hearts we commend our spoken and silent prayers to you, O God; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

SHARING OF CHRIST’S PEACE

The peace of the Lord be with you always!
And also with you!

Let us share a sign of Christ’s peace with one another.

OFFERING MESSAGE

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.

OFFERTORY HYMN O God of Love, O King of Peace (ELW #749 + Verses 1 & 2)

1    O God of love, O King of peace,
make wars throughout the world to cease;
our greed and sinful wrath restrain.           
Give peace, O God, give peace again.

2    Remember, Lord, your works of old,
      the wonders that our elders told;
      remember not our sins’ deep stain.
      Give peace, O God, give peace again.

Text: Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877

OFFERTORY PRAYER

Gracious God,
in your great love you richly provide for our needs.
Make of these gifts a banquet of blessing,
and make us ready to share with all in need;
through Jesus Christ, who sets a table for all.
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.

PREFACE  

It is indeed right our duty and our joy that we should at all times and in all places offer 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

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

In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, 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 birth and life among us, his death and resurrection, we await his coming again when all things will be restored in him.

By your Spirit bless us and this bread and cup, that, held and nourished by you, we may live as your children, shining with the light of your Son.

Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, 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,    
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

Christ invites you to this table.
Come, taste and see.

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.

God of the abundant table,
you have refreshed our hearts in this meal
with bread for the journey.
Give us your grace on the road
that we might serve our neighbors with joy;
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BIBLE STUDY
If you are interested in participating in our Fall Bible Study on Women in the Bible sign up sheets are on the back table. We will begin on Wednesday, September 21^st at 11:00am and 7:00pm in the Fellowship Hall.

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE SURVEY
Linked at the top of this page you’ll find a half sheet insert about worship planning for the holidays. Please take time to fill it out and hex before you leave to help us gauge interest and availability for worship services on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. We will collect responses through Sunday October 16th. Thank you for your help.

OKTOBERFEST
Mark your calendars! Oktoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 29th, as part of our Reformation Weekend celebration. More details forthcoming. 

WORSHIP COMMITTEE SIGN-UP
If you would like to be part of our worship committee please sign up on the sign-up sheet on the literature table in the Narthex. 

ANNUAL MEETING REPORTS
Annual Meeting Committee reports are due to Ruth by no later than November 8/15th, 2022 in preparation for the Annual Meeting after Worship on November 13/20th.

FALL LEADERSHIP SCHEDULING
If you participate in worship leadership in any way, including readers, worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, videography etc. Please let Ruth know any dates you will be unavailable in the months of November and December so she can create leadership schedules.

BIRTHDAY SUNDAY CAKE SIGN-UP
If you are interested in bringing in a cake for Birthday Sunday in the year 2023, please sign up using the sign-up sheet in the Narthex.

CHRIST IN OUR HOME
New issues of Christ in our Home are available on the table near the entrance doors. 

COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday, November 8^th @ 7:30 pm     

Other announcements are located in the downloadable bulletin at the top of this webpage.

BLESSING

God, who gives life to all things
and frees us from despair,
bless you with truth and peace.
And may the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,
guide you always in faith, hope, and love.
Amen.

SENDING HYMN If You But Trust in God to Guide You (ELW #769+ Verses 1& 3)

1      If you but trust in God to guide you
        with gentle hand through all your ways,
        you’ll find that God is there beside you
        when crosses come, in trying days.
        Trust then in God’s unchanging love;
        build on the rock that will not move.

3      The Lord our restless hearts is holding,
        in peace and quietness content.
        We rest in God’s good will unfolding,
        what wisdom from on high has sent.
        God, who has chosen us by grace,
        knows very well the fears we face.

Text © 1978, 2006 Augsburg Fortress

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, with Christ beside you.
Thanks be to God.