The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 19, 2021

vs. 1
Blessed be Your name
In the land that is plentiful,
Where Your streams of abundance flow,
Blessed be Your name.

vs. 2
Blessed be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place,
Though I walk through the wilderness,
Blessed be Your name.

Ev’ry blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise.
When the darkness closes in, Lord,
Still I will say,

(refrain) 

refrain:
“Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your name.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
Blessed be Your glorious name.”

(repeat refrain)

Today we celebrate and trust anew all God is; that the One whose name is blessed, is indeed The Greatest, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.

Amen.

People of God: The Lord’s work is full of honor and majesty. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we fail to trust the One who is the greatest.

(silence for reflection)

Friends in Christ: Today, our greatest hope is anew in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Truly, God is Who God is; God’s grace and mercy are the greatest! Trust and live anew, The Lord remembers his covenant forever; the One who is The Greatest, changes our hearts once again!

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

You are the Potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me;
This is what I pray.

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

Friends of Jesus: The Lord has established you and his covenant forever, that you might be faithful. Jesus redeems all of God’s people. Holy and awesome is Jesus! Great is the One who is The Greatest; Jesus, the One who changes our hearts once again!

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

You are the Potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me;
This is what I pray.

Change my heart, O God,
Make it ever true.
Change my heart, O God,
May I be like You.

Loving God, change our hearts, as you alone make known your almighty power and your gifts of mercy and forgiveness. Through your Holy Spirit, you welcome each of us as children of God, and you take us up into your arms. By your grace, continue to reveal to us, all God is, that we would proclaim you are The Greatest, as we make you and our neighbors first once again in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Then they went on from there and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking the child in his arms, Jesus said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

(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.

JEREMIAH 11:18-20; JAMES 3:13-18(-4:3A, 7-8A); MARK 9:30-37

It is no secret, we live in an age when most people want to buy the greatest, work for the greatest, be the greatest, provide the greatest for their families, and encourage their kids to be the greatest in every way.  Even when it comes to our spiritual walk and conviction, many people try to be the greatest.  There is nothing wrong with doing our best, in fact, that is what God wants for us to do as well.  Jesus reveals to us again today, `the greatest follower,' `the greatest believer;' these are measured by God quite differently than they are by society.  God is, Who God is; The Greatest: Truth, Wisdom, Servant, Change, Grace!  Are you still looking for the greatest?  By The Holy Spirit and God’s grace, we see all God is!  This is the greatest: to surrender in faith.  This is the greatest: our Savior Jesus Christ!  We have The Greatest, and The Greatest has each of us!

1. Jesus reveals to us again today, that `the greatest wisdom,’ `the greatest follower,' `the greatest believer;' `the greatest gifts,’ these are measured by God quite differently than they are by society.

A. God provides for us the greatest wisdom to proclaim all God is.
James 3:13, 17-18; Mark 9:31

i. Today, each day, God is revealing all God is.

ii. This is the greatest ... at the center of believing, following, trusting; the wisdom to live in God's blessing and claim on us, gracing us!

B. Jesus reminds us again today, He is Who He is, giving us the greatest call of all, to be the greatest servant of all, a call that changes lives, our lives!
James 3:13, 17-18; Mark 9:34-35

i. God calls us, transforms us, changes us, to serve, to find a balance between self and others, as we make God and our neighbors first.

ii. He is ... The Greatest transformation, the greatest change in us.  God's love and servanthood in Jesus are The Greatest!

C. The great gift of faith, graces us to follow, to trust, to serve, to surrender, to be transformed, changed.  Whenever we proclaim, confess, and celebrate what we believe; we tell others - `God in Jesus Christ is the absolute greatest Gift!'
Mark 9:31-32,36-37

i. He is The Greatest Gift, helping us see we are all God's children!  Trust you are a child of God, too!

ii. Faith is trusting, announcing, surrendering, holding fast. He is ... The Greatest Gift, moving us to move in faith.

iii When no one else sees us as a child of God, when no one else stands by us and believes in us; He is .... The Greatest Gift, lifting us up, seeing us, believing in us!

2. By the Holy Spirit, thanks to faith, in grace, as children of God, we have found what we have been searching for, so we celebrate, hold fast, live with great confidence, trusting God is Who God is, The Greatest:

- The Greatest Wisdom of all; (James 3:13,17-18; Mark 9:31)

- The Greatest Servant of all; (James 3:13, 17-18, Mark 9:34-35)

- The Greatest Change of all; (James 3:17-18, Mark 9:31, 35)

- The Greatest Gift of all! (Mark 9:36-37)

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.

vs. 1
My hope is built on nothing less, 
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
No merit of my own I claim,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

refrain:
On Christ, the solid rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

vs. 3
His oath, his covenant, his blood,
Sustain me in the raging flood;
When all supports are washed away, 
He then is all my hope and stay.

(refrain)

vs. 4
When he shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in him be found, 
Clothed in his righteousness alone,
Redeemed to stand before the throne!

(refrain)

...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.

vs. 1
When I lose my way and I forget my name,
Remind me who I am.
In the mirror all I see,
Is who I don’t wanna be;
Remind me who I am.
In the loneliest places,
When I can’t remember what grace is:

refrain 1:
Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You. (woah)
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You. To You.

vs. 2
When my heart is like a stone,
And I’m running far from home,
Remind me who I am.
When I can’t receive Your love,
Afraid I’ll never be enough,
Remind me who I am.
If I’m Your beloved,
Can You help me believe it?

(refrain 1)

bridge:
I’m the one You love.
I’m the one You love.
That will be enough.
I’m the one You love.

refrain 2:
Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You. (woah)
Tell me once again who I am to You,
Who I am to You.
Tell me lest I forget who I am to You,
That I belong to You. To You. To You.

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 live anew in the grace of all God is. 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
You are not alone if you are lonely.
When you feel afraid, you’re not the only.
We are all the same, in need of mercy,
To be forgiven and be free.
It’s all you got to lean on,
But thank God, it’s all you need.

refrain:
And all the people said, “Amen.”
Oh, and all the people said, “Amen.”
Give thanks to the Lord,
For His love never ends.
And all the people said, “Amen.”

vs. 2
If you’re rich or poor,
Well, it don’t matter.
Weak or strong,
You know love is what we’re after.
We’re all broken,
But we’re all in this together.
God knows we stumble and fall,
And He so loved the world,
He sent His Son to save us all.

(refrain)

bridge:
Blessed are the poor in spirit
Who are torn apart.
Blessed are the persecuted
And the pure in heart.
Blessed are the people hungry
For another start,
For theirs is the kingdom,
The kingdom of God.

(refrain twice)

And all the people said, “Amen.”

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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!

Join us next Sunday, September 26, as we are blessed to welcome Kyle Dacon to our ministry! Kyle has been hired to lead our worship and to serve as one of our pianists! We give thanks to God for Kyle and his impressive gift for music and his spirit!

Today we continue 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 26, The Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost “God Is, Who God Is; Blessing Us, Each And Every Day!” 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.

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 111. “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. “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen © 1994 GIA Publications, Inc., OL #00004 “Blessed Be Your Name” © 2002 Thankyou Music, CCLI #3798438 “Change My Heart, O God” © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1565 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less” © 1982 The Jubilate Group CCLI #2836463 “Remind Me Who I Am” © 2011 Centricity Music Publishing, CCLI #5998298 “All The People Said Amen” © 2013 Universal Music CCLI #6518275 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.