The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 12, 2021

refrain:
Awake, awake, awake my soul.
God, resurrect these bones
From death to life for You alone.
Awake my soul.

vs. 1
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Breathe on me.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Breathe on me.
I come alive;
I’m alive when You breathe on me.
I come alive;
I’m alive when You breathe on me.

(refrain)

vs. 2
Speak to me, Word of God,
Speak to me.
Speak to me, Word of God,
Speak to me.
I come alive;
I’m alive when You speak to me.
I come alive;
I’m alive when You speak to me.

(refrain 3x)

Today we trust anew, our souls are awakened to boldly proclaim the faithfulness of all that God is in power and grace, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

People of God: Jesus knows our transgressions, and our sins are ever before him. Against Jesus alone have we sinned. He is justified in judging us. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we fail to trust all God is, in Jesus Christ.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: Today believe anew all God is, in the compassion and mercy and grace in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Let us come anew, just as we are, to the One who comes to us first!

vs. 1
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me.
And that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Friends in Christ: In repentance, our spirits are turned around. Believe anew, God is, Who God is; creating in you a clean heart, putting a new and right spirit in you. Come now, just as you are, to the One who comes to you first, to welcome, pardon, cleanse and relieve you; to renew you, once again!

vs. 5
Just as I am, thou wilt receive, 
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because thy promise I believe, 
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Loving God, you make known your almighty power and your gifts of mercy and forgiveness. Through your Holy Spirit, and by your grace, continue to reveal all God is to us, that we would come, just as we are, to celebrate, to trust, to proclaim you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God, as we make you and our neighbors first in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens – wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught. The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backward. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting. The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

(New Revised Standard Version)

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?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. Then Jesus 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 three days rise again. He said all of this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 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.” Jesus 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. 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. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 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.”

(New Revised Standard Version)

As we hear God’s Word and power calling out to each of us, we remember God called Saul to become the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote words of conviction, proclaiming all God is in Jesus Christ. Let us boldly share our faith with the same trust and hope in God’s grace.

“What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Amen.

All who are students this year, from preschool to college, along with their parents, or those with them today, and anyone involved in education at any level; administrators, teachers, nurses, bus drivers, aides, food service employees, custodians, coaches, staff, please raise your hand. Whether or not you brought a backpack with you today, we want to bless you as this school year begins.

Today you are receiving a gift. (Pass out the carabiners)  They are a carabiner that you can attach to your backpacks. Each of them have a compass on them. Maybe some of you are just beginning to discover the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Perhaps some of you know how to get to school, or a neighborhood park, or how to get home from a friend’s house, and yet you are not yet sure of directions. Those of you who are learning to drive, or will be driving soon, are perhaps for the first time acknowledging more and more, if your destination is to the north, south, east, or west of where you are coming from, and where you are going to.

As our faith quest is renewed for us every day, and even though, for now, Sunday School will start a little later this year, as our spiritual courses continue, we are each invited to believe and trust anew The Holy Spirit, God’s grace, our Savior Jesus Christ, are blessing our journey, giving us direction, keeping us on track, pointing our way. “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” If we ever feel lost along the way on our faith quest, God will guide us and grace us again, for Jesus loves us this we know, for the Bible tells us so.

This year we encourage you to keep this carabiner on your backpack. May the compass help you grow in confidence as you learn your directions. May the compass and carabiner remind you, you are forever linked to God’s love for you in Jesus Christ, who is always with you, and that God will forever faithfully keep you faithful and on course, forever trusting the Lord of your life.

Remember from Psalm 121 ‘The Lord bless you and keep you, your going out and your coming in from this time on and forever more. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.  Amen.’ (Each child is blessed, making a sign of the cross on their foreheads, saying): “Jesus is with you wherever you go.”

Congregation, you are asked to raise an arm, to visually join in laying your hands on one and all, as we share the following blessing and prayer: (Those with children today invited to lay hands on them.)

Let us pray: God of all knowledge and wisdom, bless these children, these students, parents, teachers, administrators, nurses, bus drivers, aides, food service employees, custodians, coaches, staff, and backpacks as a new school year has begun.

We pray your blessing on these children and upon all students, young and old as their new year begins. Guard and protect students in their schools, on buses, in cars, on bikes, as they walk, everywhere, and as they go to and from school each day.

Help each student discover and develop the gifts you have given them. As they grow in knowledge, help them also grow in kindness and compassion. Bless all who serve the education of others, guide them in their vocation and calling, as they teach and nurture, support and validate each child, seeing them, too, as Your child.

By your Spirit, bless our schools, all students, all who go there, work and serve there, the classrooms, hallways, playgrounds, fields, and events to be places of safety, respect, learning and possibility. We ask your blessing on parents and all who love and care for these children. Strengthen our ministry and each of us as disciples; be our spiritual compass, give us direction, keep us on track, point the way. Bless each of us, too, as students of the faith, to teach God first, to make God and neighbor first, to surround all students with encouragement, support, and love, trusting even the most ordinary action is an extraordinary blessing to your Kingdom, as we believe and make known we are forever linked to you and your grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

ISAIAH 50:4-9A; JAMES 3:1-12; MARK 8:27-38

Life can be very demanding.  Do you ever find yourself wearing too many `hats'?  Do you find yourself doing so much you can get confused as to who you are?  The world asks a lot of us.  Between family, work, extended family, community, and individual interests; we may find ourselves doing so many things we might not be sure which `hat' to wear, when.  When it comes to your spiritual walk, what `hats' do you feel you wear the most, best?  Disciple?  Evangelist?  Prayer warrior?  Teacher?  Follower?  Leader?  Sinner?  Believer? Child of God?  Today in Mark’s gospel, we hear Jesus asking, "Who do people say that I am?"  "Who do you say that I am?"  `What `hat' do others and you think I wear?'  Peter gives the all inclusive answer, "You are the Messiah!"  Peter being Peter, Peter being human, then tries to tell Jesus what hat to wear next.  No one tells God what to do, what hat to wear.  Celebrate and proclaim anew all God is in Jesus, the One who forever is exactly who he is: The Messiah!

1. We all wear different hats, day to day, in our spiritual walks as well.

A. We have many hats to wear.  Sometimes we can get confused about which hat to wear.

B. What hats do you wear as a follower of Jesus?

i. Which ones are easy to wear?
Mark 8:29

ii. Which ones are difficult to wear?
Isaiah 50:5; Mark 8:29, 32-33

2. Who do you say Jesus is?  What do his hats look like?

A. What do you think the "Messiah" hat looks like?
Mark 8:29

i. At its most basic definition, "Messiah" means "anointed," to be what God promised.

ii. If you need Jesus to wear a more clearly defined hat, try thinking about `Messiah' in this way:

a. Master - The Lord of your life, means The Lord of your life.
Mark 8:30,33

b. Emphatic One - What Jesus says, goes!
Isaiah 50:4; Mark 8:33

c. Servant - Jesus leads by example.
Isaiah 50:7,9; Mark 8:34

d. Savior - Jesus changes us, saves us.
Isaiah 50:7-8; Mark 8:30,37

e. Incarnate One - God in the flesh comes into our midst.
Mark 8:31,38

f. Advocate - Jesus is on our side, fights for us.
Isaiah 50:8

h. Hope - The Messiah is a sure thing; we have hope for today, tomorrow, in the midst of whatever we face, to restore our lives and souls, and hope for a new life.
Isaiah 50:9; Mark 8:31

B. God in Jesus is who he is, whether we acknowledge him, or trust him, or call on him.  God in Jesus cannot be over extended, or confused, tired; The Messiah is faithful!
Mark 8:33

3. Let us confess like Peter, and celebrate all God is, in Jesus Christ; who is now and will be forever The Messiah!
Isaiah 50:4; Mark 8:29

A. Trust the Messiah knows which hat to wear, when!

B. Trust Jesus does not mind how many hats we ask him to wear!

C. Trust God is who God is!  The Messiah is who The Messiah is!

Offering is available for our indoor services. Find a Lord of Life with a volunteer bucket to deposit offering in person as you leave worship today. If you find yourself wanting to offer your gifts to Lord of Life, you can do so online using the link below. You can also drop offering at anytime in our secure mailbox at Lord of Life located in the parking lot.

All who are thirsty,
All who are weak,
Come to the fountain.
Dip your heart in the stream of life.
Let the pain and the sorrow
Be wash’d away
In the waves of His mercy
As deep cries out to deep.
We sing:

Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

(repeat entire song)

...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Bless us anew, with all that is, in your Spirit, and your grace.

All these things and whatever else you see we need, grant to us we pray, for into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Holy Communion will take place after the closing Benediction. If you are not worshipping with us in person but would like to receive Communion, we will be offering Drive Through Communion at our building at 16200 Dodd Lane, Lakeville, Minnesota, following our indoor service. Drive Through Communion will be available between 10:15am & 10:30am.

In order to better serve you in this troubling times, the way we receive Communion has changed slightly. You will be offered a self-contained Communion serving. Each capsule has two layers. The first layer is a thin, clear, cellophane layer which reveals the host. Under the second layer you will find the alcohol free juice. Volunteers will be happy to take you waste after you receive Communion.

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.”

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.

This is the day,
(this is the day,)
That the Lord has made,
(that the Lord has made.)
We will rejoice,
(we will rejoice,)
And be glad in it,
(and be glad in it.)
This is the day
That the Lord has made:
We will rejoice
And be glad in it.
This is the day,
(this is the day,)
that the Lord has made!

(repeat)

There’s nothing worth more
That will ever come close.
No thing can compare;
You’re our living hope.
Your Presence, Lord.

I’ve tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves,
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone,
In Your Presence, Lord.

Holy Spirit,
You are welcome here;
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere;
Your glory, God,
Is what our hearts long for,
To be overcome
By Your presence, Lord.
Your presence, Lord.

bridge:
Let us become more aware
Of Your Presence;
Let us experience
The glory of Your goodness.

(repeat bridge 3x)

Holy Spirit,
You are welcome here;
Come flood this place
And fill the atmosphere;
Your glory, God,
Is what our hearts long for,
To be overcome
By Your presence, Lord.

The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, strengthen you and keep you in his grace, this day, and on into life everlasting.
Amen.

Let us pray.
Pour out upon us the spirit of your love, O Lord, and unite the wills of those whom you have fed with one heavenly food; through Jesus Christ, The Lord of life. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace, as you feel the rush of The Wind in God’s saving grace. In the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Let us go in the peace of Christ, celebrating the love of God, and serving the Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!

vs. 1
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine;
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine;
This little light of mine,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

vs. 2
Ev’rywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Ev’rywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Ev’rywhere I go,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

vs. 3
Jesus gave it to me,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Jesus gave it to me,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Jesus gave it to me,
I’m gonna let it shine;
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

(repeat first verse)

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

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Follow us on facebook to watch our services live on Lord of Life LIVE! Watch with us live at 9:30am on Sundays, or rewatch at your own convenience!

Today we share in the, “Blessing of the Backpacks” and we begin our month long support of, “God’s Work, Our Hands!” as we invite you to join us in sharing donations to our local food shelves, donations of school supplies, and donations of new underwear and socks to “The Drawer!” Thank you for sharing your generosity in this most blessed way! Join us next Sunday, September 19, The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost “God Is, Who God Is . . . The Greatest!” Worship includes a Children’s Message, a Sermon, and Holy Communion! Join us in-person or via our live stream efforts on our Facebook page, under “videos.”

As we share worship in this way, we are seeking volunteers to assist with greeting, ushering, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, worship leaders, and more! You can access details and ways to sign up on our website and Facebook page! Thank you!

All who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion is now offered once again during worship, as we share pre-packaged single servings of communion, including a wafer and grape juice. Carefully pull back the first tab to expose the host, the body of Christ, given for you; then pull back the second tab to expose the blood of Christ, shed for you! Please ask for assistance or clarification as you are served!

For those sharing their generosity today, we thank you for your faithful giving! Offering is collected in baskets by the ushers as you exit the building.

For those who are not able to join us for worship, you are invited to receive drive-through communion, available Sundays, 10:15-10:30 a.m. at the front curb near the church entrance.

From everyone on every level of leadership and service, we continue to pray for you and to give thanks to God for each of you! Please contact Pastor Jamie if he can serve you in any way: jamie.thompson@lordoflifemn.org

We pray The Holy Spirit breathes anew on us to be God’s people and to be God’s Church, as together we make known and we trust anew God’s gifts of hope, peace, justice, clarity, calm, and comfort forever break forth in new ways for you and your loved ones, today, and as we share every gift of God’s light, love, and grace!

Acknowledgments for today’s service include:

Litany Trusting and Proclaiming All God Is, written based on Psalm 51. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) and With One Voice Hymnal Supplement © 1995 Augsburg Publishing House, Minneapolis & Board of Publication, Lutheran Church In America, Philadelphia; and Evangelical Lutheran Worship © 2006 Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Step by Step © 1991 Kid Brothers of St. Frank Publishing, CCLI #696994 “In Christ Alone” © 2002 Thankyou Music CCLI #3350395 “Awake My Soul” © 2012 S.D.G. Publishing, CCLI #“Just as I Am, without One Plea” Words & Music Public Domain, CCLI #23206 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “All Who Are Thirsty” © 1998 Vineyard Songs, CCLI #2489542 “This Is The Day” © 2011 1980 Scripture in Song CCLI #32754 “Holy Spirit” © 2011 Jesus Culture, CCLI #6087919 “This Little Light of Mine” © Words and Music Public Domain, this arr. © Horace Clarence Boyer, OL #01998 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.