The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 11, 2022
Join us in-person for worship! This service will not be live streamed.
Upcoming Events:
Sunday Worship
Sunday, August 28, 2022, 9:30am
Prelude, Prayer Cross & Words of Greeting
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering In Spirit & Grace
Jesus Messiah
Tomlin
vs. 1
He became sin
Who knew no sin
That we might become
His righteousness
He humbled Himself
And carried the cross
Love so amazing
Love so amazing
refrain:
Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The Rescue for sinners
The Ransom from heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
bridge:
All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You God
The Light of the world
(refrain)
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all
The Lord of all
The Lord of all
Litany Trusting God’s Faithfulness In a New Beginning
based on Psalm 51
Today our faith journey continues anew, we celebrate and give thanks to Jesus Messiah, for the grace of a new beginning, for we were lost and now are found, so we worship in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Have mercy on me, O God. According to your steadfast love and your abundant mercy, wash me thoroughly, change my ways and cleanse me from my sin.
People of God: Jesus knows our transgressions; our sins are ever before him. Against Jesus alone have we sinned. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to trust we are forever found anew in God’s grace. (silence for reflection) Friends, trust the amazing grace of this new beginning: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Jesus’ quest is for you to believe and to live anew! Trust anew, no matter how lost you may be, be still, the Holy One is here and will find you every time!
Song Anew in Trust
Be Still
Evans
vs. 1
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Come bow before Him now
With reverence and fear
In Him no sin is found
We stand on holy ground
Be still for the presence of the Lord
The Holy One is here
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Do not cast me out of your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Friends, hope and grace reveal a new beginning. Trust Jesus’ tireless quest is for you, more passionately than for a sheep or a coin. Be still; Jesus finds you every time; for the Lord is moving in this place!
Song Anew in Trust
Be Still
Evans
vs. 3
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
He comes to cleanse and heal
To minister His grace
No work too hard for Him
In faith receive from Him
Be still for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place
Loving God, you alone reveal to us a new beginning through your forgiveness, calling, and salvation. By your Holy Spirit, find us again today, find us when we feel most lost, find us when we do not know we have lost our way. Thanks to your gifts of repentance, mercy and faithfulness, we will be still. Renew our quest to celebrate, to make God and our neighbors first, to believe anew, to hold fast to your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
Exodus 32:7-14
The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great a nation.” But Moses implored the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the Lord changed his mind about the disaster that he planned to bring on his people.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song of Hope & Grace Anew
Children of the Heavenly Father
Sandell & Berg
vs. 1
Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in his bosom gather
Nestling bird or star in heaven
Such a refuge ne’er was given
vs. 2
God his own doth tend and nourish
In his holy courts they flourish
From all evil things he spares them
In his mighty arms he bears them
vs. 3
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord his children sever
Unto them his grace he showeth
And their sorrows all he knoweth
vs. 4
Though he giveth or he taketh
God his children ne’er forsaketh
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy
Gospel
Luke 15:1-10
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
God’s Word in grace gave Saul a new beginning to become the Apostle Paul. Paul’s words build up our faith, too, to share a new beginning, so we boldly state our faith.
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.
Blessing of Children, Parents, Educators, Schools, And Backpacks
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. All 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 are 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.
A New Beginning … For the Lost and Found!
EXODUS 32:7-14; 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-17; LUKE 15:1-10
Schools, work places, stadiums, malls, restaurants, airports, train stations, recreation and workout facilities - just about any place you can lose something has a “lost and found” department. We lose a whole range of things. Actually, we do not really “lose” anything. We misplace things. We think we had it with us. We forget to take it with us. We allow them to slip through our fingers. We thought it was `right here.’ When you lose something, how long does it take you before you know it is lost? How do you feel when you find it? When it comes to your spiritual walk, what are things you lose? Self? Heart? Spirit? Truth? Faith? Way? Hope? Do you lose them; or do they get misplaced, left behind? Did you think you had them with you, knew where they were? Do you know when you are lost? Today, as we read of the lost sheep and the lost coin, we celebrate a new beginning in amazing grace as God in Jesus Christ finds us every time!
1. We lose things all the time, in life, and in our spiritual walk.
Exodus 32:7-8
A. We do not really lose anything.
B. What are some of the things you misplace? How is it that we misplace God, faith, spirit, etc.? How do we get lost, misplaced?
2. What is lost, is lost the moment it is misplaced. This is so true in our walk with Christ!
Exodus 32:8,11; 1 Timothy1:13; Luke 15:2
A. Just because we do not recognize something is lost for a period of time, does not mean it was not lost long before.
B. We so often do not know something is lost until we want it, need it, miss it, recognize its value.
3. Once something is lost, we want to find it right away! We cannot rest until we find it, we cannot imagine being without it. Can you imagine being without faith, heart, Christ?
1 Timothy 1:16; Luke 15:4,8
4. Things that are lost need to be found. 1 Timothy 1:13-15; Luke 15:6,9
A. Things need to be found (passive), they do not find themselves.
B. Who do you need to find you? What do you need to find?
5. To take something from the `lost and found,’ you need to be able to identify it, to claim it as your own, and might even need to identify yourself.
Exodus 32:27
A. What are you willing to claim as your own in your discipleship?
B. Do you know Who puts His claim on you, identifies you as His Own, has no problem identifying Himself on your behalf?
6. When you find something, how do you feel?
Luke 15:7,10
A. When those treasures are found and recovered, we often are thankful, excited, relieved, joyful!
B. God is no stranger to longing for you, to feeling these emotions!
7. “I found it in the last place I looked.” Celebrate a new beginning in grace, for you are lost AND found!
Exodus 32:14; Luke 15:4,8
A. Why do we wait to look for what we lost, why do we look in every other place first? Why not look in the last place first?
B. In amazing grace, Jesus looks in the last place first to find us, every time! Every time we are lost, we will be found, every time!
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.
Song Anew In Life & Grace
Just As I Am (I Come Broken)
Cottrell
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
vs. 3
Just as I am I would be lost
But mercy and grace my freedom bought
And now to glory in your cross
O Lamb of God I come I come
refrain:
I come broken to be mended
I come wounded to be healed
I come desperate to be rescued
I come empty to be filled
I come guilty to be pardoned
By the blood of Christ the Lamb
And I’m welcomed with open arms
Praise God just as I am
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Give us a new beginning in your power and hope and 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 during our service. 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.
The Words of Institution
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.
Song During Holy Communion
This Is the Day
Garrett
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 entire song)
Song During Holy Communion
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Tomlin
vs. 1
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
vs. 2
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
refrain:
My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God my Savior
Has ransomed me
And like a flood
His mercy rains
Unending love
Amazing grace
vs. 3
The Lord has promised good to me
His Word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
(refrain twice)
vs. 4
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God who called me here below
Will be forever mine will be forever mine
You are forever mine
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 trust each new beginning in the living, life-changing grace of Jesus Christ. 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!
Song Going Anew In Grace
Shout to the Lord
Zschech
My Jesus my Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My Comfort my Shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let ev’ry breath
All that I am
Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord
All the earth let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy
At the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares
To the promise I have in You
Shout to the Lord
All the earth let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy
At the work of Your hands
Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
Nothing compares to the promise I have in
Nothing compares to the promise I have
In You
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Today, Sunday, September 11th, we celebrate The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost! “A New Beginning … For The Lost And Found!” Today we share in “The Blessing Of The Backpacks!” Today we also share a special time of prayerful remembrance on 9/11! Today we also kick-off a month long emphasis across the ELCA, “God’s Work. Our Hands!” as we share in numerous ways to support our neighbors!
Join us next Sunday, September 18th, as we celebrate The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost! “Be Anew … You Who Think You Are So Clever!”
Plan now to join us on October 2 as our Faith Quest Sunday School ministry resumes!
As we continue to share worship in this way, we are seeking more 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!
Friends, today as always, all who proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are welcome to God’s table of grace as we share Holy Communion. Communion is offered during the service, 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 sanctuary.
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 God’s Faithfulness In A New Beginning – written based on Psalm 51. “Children Of The Heavenly Father,” © 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 by Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis, MN. Used with permission. “Prayer of The Day,” “Lord’s Prayer,” “Post-Communion Blessing, Prayer, & Benediction,” based on the LBW. “Jesus Messiah” © 2008 sixsteps Music CCLI #5183443 “Be Still” © 1986 Thankyou Music CCLI# 120824 “Children of the Heavenly Father” Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #98028 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Just As I Am, (I Come Broken)” © 2009 CCTB Music CCLI #5635850 “This Is The Day,” © 2011 1980 Scripture In Song CCLI #32754 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” © 2006 sixsteps Music CCLI #4768151 “Shout to the Lord” © 1993 Wondrous Worship CCLI #1406918 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.