The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 3, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE - The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost
Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship - The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost
”The Blessing of the Backpacks”
”A New Beginning … Does Not Take Much!”
September 3, 2023, 9:30AM
Join us in person or on YouTube for Lord of Life LIVE!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering in Spirit & Grace
Come, Now Is the Time to Worship
Doerksen
Come
Now is the time to worship
Come
Now is the time to give your heart
Come
Just as you are to worship
Come
Just as you are before your God
Come
One day ev’ry tongue
Will confess You are God
One day ev’ry knee will bow
Still the greatest treasure
Remains for those
Who gladly choose You now
Come
Now is the time to worship
Come
Now is the time to give your heart
Come
Just as you are to worship
Come
Just as you are before your God
Come
Litany Trusting the Gentle Breeze of God’s Faithfulness & Grace
Based on Psalm 25
Friends, today, we trust anew nothing gets in the way of the gentle breeze of God’s grace, so we come, for now is the time to worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. The Lord fills us with steadfast love and faithfulness. He leads the humble in what is right. The Lord chooses not to remember our sins. He remembers us according to his mercy.
People of God: Jesus knows our transgressions. Our sins are before him. Against Jesus alone have we sinned; yet the steadfast love of The Lord endures forever. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we get in the way of God’s love.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ, trust nothing gets in the way of the gentle breeze of God’s grace in these words: Jesus saves, Jesus forgives you all your sins. Feel guilt and shame no more. You are anew and free in Jesus; the One who forever changes our lives and our hearts!
Song Anew in Grace
Change My Heart, O God
Espinosa
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
Almighty God, even though Satan and selfish desires get in our way so easily; The Truest Power is faithful and sure! Be our shepherd, seek us out, teach us your path, lead us in your truth, turn us around, for you are our God, our Savior and friend.
Friends in Christ: The Lord is great. His mercy is our foundation. His faithfulness endures forever. The Lord fills us to overflowing. Nothing gets in the way of His covenant of grace and salvation. Live anew in, the One who forever changes our lives and our hearts!
Song Anew in Grace
Change My Heart, O God
Espinosa
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, you bless us always through your power and love. We are sorry, like Peter, as quickly as we confess you as Lord, we say, “God, forbid your plans,” and we get in your way, the way of your grace. Let us feel the gentle breeze of your grace once again. By your Holy Spirit, increase our faith to get out of your way, to praise you always, to trust in you alone. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.
Old Testament Lesson
Jeremiah 15:15-21
O Lord, you know; remember me and visit me, and bring down retribution for me on my persecutors. In your forbearance do not take me away; know that on your account I suffer insult. Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. I did not sit in the company of merrymakers, nor did I rejoice; under the weight of your hand I sat alone, for you had filled me with indignation. Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Truly, you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail. Therefore, thus says the Lord: If you turn back, I will take you back, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall serve as my mouth. It is they who will turn to you, not you who will turn to them. And I will make you to this people a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you, but they shall not prevail over you, for I am with you to save you and deliver you, says the Lord. I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.
(New Revised Standard Version)
New Testament Lesson
Romans 12:9-21
St. Paul writes: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song Anew in Call & Grace
He is Exalted
Paris
He is exalted
The King is exalted
On high
I will praise Him
He is exalted
Forever exalted
And I will praise His name
He is the Lord
Forever His truth shall reign
Heaven and earth
Rejoice in His holy name
He is exalted
The King is exalted
On high
(repeat)
He is exalted
The King is exalted
On high
Gospel
Matthew 16:21-28
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “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 will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
based on Psalm 89
As we share gentle breezes of The Spirit this summer, let us share our faith and speak boldly of all we believe, trusting the living breath of The Spirit and God’s saving grace.
I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: ‘I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the sky can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, great and awesome above all that are around him? O Lord, God of hosts, who is as mighty as you? Blessed be the Lord forever. Amen and Amen.
Don’t Get In My Way
JEREMIAH 15:15-21; ROMANS 12:9-21; MATTHEW 16:21-28
Do you ever find yourself ready for a new venture only to have something get in the way? Maybe you have tried to change a bad habit, to make a life style change, or to reach out for help; and then, something/someone gets in the way? When it comes to your faith journey, what makes it easy for you? What makes it difficult? What seems to constantly get in your way? What can jump up and surprise you? What gets in the way of you denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following the Christ? As we hear Jesus' prediction of his death, we also hear Peter's exclamation, "God, forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." Peter wanted to get in the way of God's plan for salvation in Jesus Christ. We get in the way of God's plan, and yet, God is faithful. As we share the final breezes of summer, trust the Spirit renews your pneuma, your spirit, your soul. Trust anew, Jesus goes forward, denies himself, and takes up his cross. Jesus overcomes every stumbling block; nothing will ever get in the way of God's love for you!
1. What gets in your way when it comes to following Jesus and trusting God's plan?
Matthew 16:22-25
A. Do people and things get in your way?
Jeremiah 15:20
B. Do you get in your own way?
Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 16:23
2. How are you able to overcome these stumbling blocks? How does the breath of God, how does Jesus, renew your pneuma, your spirit and breath and soul, to help you get through all that gets in your way?
A. What helps you trust "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God," when everything and everyone else wants to cry out, "God, forbid it, Lord!"?
Matthew 16:22
B. How are you able to "deny yourself and take up your cross and follow" when everything and everyone else invites only stumbling blocks?
Matthew 16:23-25
3. As we share the final gentle breezes of summer, let us continue to turn our faces and spirits to the breath of God in our midst. Our pneuma is alive and anew! May we find strength and hope in the One who lets nothing get in his way. May you find courage and direction in the One who denied himself and took up his cross, so that nothing would separate you from him, and so that nothing would ever get in the way of God's love for you!
Jeremiah 15:19; Romans 8:39, 12:21; Matthew 16:23-25
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 of Devoted Faith & Grace
Cry of My Heart
Butler
refrain:
It is the cry of my heart
To follow You
It is the cry of my heart
To be close to You
It is the cry of my heart to follow
All of the days of my life
vs. 1
Teach me Your holy ways O Lord
So I can walk in Your truth
Teach me Your holy ways O Lord
And make me wholly devoted to You
(refrain)
vs. 2
Open my eyes so I can see
The wonderful things that You do
Open my heart up more and more
And make me wholly devoted to You
(refrain twice)
All of the days of my life
All of the days of my life
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Let us feel the gentle breeze of 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 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.
For those worshiping with us in person, we receive communion through intinction; that is, you will receive the bread, the host, then dip into the glass of choice, either a red wine in the chalice closest to the host, or in a light colored non-alcoholic grape juice. All are welcome.
We also offer gluten free and pre-packaged options. Please take these options before arriving at the host to receive a blessing.
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.
Songs During Holy Communion
Breathe
Barnett & Moore
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence
Living in me
This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very Word
Spoken to me
And I
I’m desp’rate for You
And I
I’m lost without You
(repeat)
And I
I’m desp’rate for You
And I
I’m lost without You
This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
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 gentle breeze of The Spirit and 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, blessed to be God’s people and God’s Church, together serving The Lord of life.
Thanks be to God!
Song Going Anew in Glory & Grace
America The Beautiful
Bates & Ward
vs. 1
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America
America
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
vs. 2
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness
America
America
God mend thy every flaw
Confirm thy soul
In self-control
Thy liberty in law
vs. 3
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life
America
America
May God thy gold refine
‘Til all success
Be nobleness
And every gain divine
vs. 4
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears
America
America
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good
With brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
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Today, Sunday, September 3, we celebrate The Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost! “Thanks To Every Gentle Breeze … Don’t Get In My Way!”
Join us next Sunday, September 10, as we celebrate The Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost! “A New Beginning … Does Not Take Much!” Next Sunday includes, “The Blessing Of The Backpacks!”
As we share our worship, we give thanks for every volunteer as you bless our ministry, greeting, ushering, nursery, serving communion, live streaming, AV ministry, set up, clean up, fellowship, 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. 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.
We hope our worship will touch you, comfort you, reassure you, and grace you in some way! If you believe others you know would be blessed to receive this bulletin, the sermon notes, or our live stream links, please forward these to them.
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 The Gentle Breeze Of God’s Faithfulness And Grace – written based on Psalm 25. Words and Music Public Domain, © 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. “Come, Now Is The Time To Worship” © 1998 Vineyard Songs CCLI #2430948 “Change My Heart, O God” © 1982 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1565 “He Is Exalted” © 1985 Mountain Spring Music CCLI #17827 “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 Cry of My Heart” © 1991, this arr. © 1997 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #844980 “Breathe” © 1995 Mercy/Vineyard Publishing CCLI #1874117 “America the Beautiful” © 1956 Fred Bock Music Company CCLI #1881629 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.