The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - October 15, 2023
Lord of Life LIVE will resume on October 29th, 2023. We invite you to join us in-person for worship this week and next week.
Upcoming Events
Sunday Worship - The Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost
”Signs of Love … Answering the Invitation”
October 22, 2023, 9:30AM
Join us in person, this service will not be live streamed!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering in Spirit & Grace
Blessed Be Your Name
Redman
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
bridge:
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord blessed be Your name
(repeat bridge and then refrain)
Litany Trusting God’s Signs of Love
Based on Psalm 145
Today, we celebrate and give thanks, blessed be the name of the Lord, is blessing us and inviting us to live anew in every sign of God’s love and grace, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise with songs of praise.
People of God: The Lord knows our hearts go astray; we do not always regard his ways. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have failed to accept God’s invitation, to be and to see his entrusted signs of love.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ: Hear God’s inviting grace in these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. You are his treasured signs of love! He is our God, we are his people, the sheep of his hand. Let us truly come home; Jesus is calling!
Song Renewed In Grace
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
Thompson
vs. 1
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling for you and for me
See on the portals he’s waiting and watching
Watching for you and for me
refrain:
Come home
(Come home)
Come home
(Come home)
All who are weary come home
Earnestly tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling O sinner come home
The Lord is a great God; a great King above all gods. In his hands are the depths of the earth. The heights of the hills are also his. The sea is his, for he made it. His hands have formed the dry land.
Friends in Christ: Today you are invited, invited to receive the gift of faith, invited to trust anew every abundant sign of love, invited to come home; Jesus is calling! He is our God and we are his people!
Song Renewed In Grace
Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling
Thompson
vs. 3
Oh for the wonderful love he has promised
Promised for you and for me
Though we have sinned he has mercy and pardon
Pardon for you and for me
refrain:
Come home
(Come home)
Come home
(Come home)
All who are weary come home
Earnestly tenderly Jesus is calling
Calling O sinner come home
Almighty and loving God, we thank you and praise you, for all good gifts around us, are sent from heaven above. By your Holy Spirit and grace, reveal to us once again, the countless signs of your love. Give us faith to answer your every invitation, to see you invite us, softly and tenderly, each and every day, to trust you love us first, to treasure all you place in our care, to share your invitation and signs of love with one and all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
New Testament Lesson
Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song Anew In The Spirit
Listen, God Is Calling
Tanzanian Traditional
refrain:
Listen
Listen God is calling
Through the Word inviting
Offering forgiveness
Comfort and joy
(repeat)
vs. 1
Jesus gave his mandate
Share the good news
That he came to save us
And set us free
(refrain with repeat)
vs. 3
Help us to be faithful
Standing steadfast
Walking in your precepts
Led by your Word
(refrain with repeat)
Gospel
Matthew 22:1-14
Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.’ But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.’ Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him, hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
based on Revelation 21:5-7
As God’s children, we trust God the good steward, in God’s grace, loves us first, and blesses us with every sign of love. In thanks to God’s faithfulness, countless blessings, and all God entrusts into our care, by The Holy Spirit, we boldly state our faith.
God who sits upon the throne says, “Behold, I make all things new. Write these words for they are trustworthy and true. It is done! I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain the water of life without payment. They who conquer shall have their heritage, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” Amen.
Children are invited to return to their seats with their family and friends.
We are excited to resume Faith Quest, our Sunday School Ministry, on October 1st!
Signs of Love … Answering the Invitation
ISAIAH 25:1-9; PHILIPPIANS 4:1-9; MATTHEW 22:1-14
When you get an invitation, what is your reaction? Are you excited? Do you wonder who you will see, what you will do? Are you quick to RSVP? Do you wait and see how your schedule plays out? If nothing else comes up, if the time stays open, if nothing better comes your way, is that when you say you will attend? Do you look at who the invitation is from? Maybe the invite comes from someone you do not know well? Maybe the invite comes from someone who is not your favorite person? Maybe you wonder why you were invited, how you made the list? Do you know Jesus is inviting you, has invited you, wants to welcome you, is ready for you? As we share the parable of the wedding banquet, as we continue our journey through God’s signs of love, we are reminded: God invites us every day to receive, come to, celebrate, trust, pass along, signs of love entrusted into our care! God invites us every day to come to the table together, to build on our relationships, faith and spirit! God invites us every day to boldly say, yes, to his invitation, without delay! God invites us to be blessed each day by the signs of love God shares with us, gives to us, to join in the feast, and much more! As we accept God’s invitation, let us see there is no other place we would rather be than with Christ and God’s people, sharing a table full, a heart full, with signs of love!
1. What is your first response when you get an invitation?
Matthew 22:3,5
A. “I can't wait!”
B. “I’m going to try and make it.”
C. “I’m busy, but I'll see.”
D. “I don’t want to go and be with so and so.”
E. “I don’t even know this person that well.”
F. “Why was I invited?” vs. “I can’t believe I was invited!”
2. Do you know the signs of love God invites you to behold? Have you ever not accepted an invitation, and then found out later what you really missed? We are invited to receive signs of love, to come to signs of love, to celebrate, trust anew, pass around signs of love, to not miss a thing, thanks to God’s grace!
Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 22:2-4,11-12,14
A. We are invited to be reconciled.
B. We are invited to take our place.
C. We are invited to a feast.
D. We are invited to know peace.
E. We are invited to be graced with a calling.
F. We are invited to be part of the Kingdom.
G. We are invited to be signs of love!
3. How do you feel when you plan a get together, when you have thought long and hard about the list, and then people appear disinterested? How does it feel when people either say they cannot come, or they do not even respond?
Philippians 4:8; Matthew 22:3,5,7-8,11
A. How do you think God feels when we do not RSVP?
B. God, our perfect Sign of Love, has created, provided, graced us with signs of love. As we accept God's invitation, come to the table, and boldly believe, we will be surprised once again!
4. Do you trust God, who could invite anyone, invites you? Trust God invites you, wants you, saves a place for you, graces you, saves you, has signs of love waiting just for you!
Philippians 4:1,4-8; Matthew 22:2,9,14
A. Do you know Jesus has prepared a place just for you? Trust all God has done, is doing, so you have a place in the Kingdom!
B. Jesus chose to invite you, and the person next to you. Believe anew, God has invited you and your neighbor! Receive, enjoy, live in God’s grace! God’s signs of love, are for one and all!
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 Hope & Grace Anew
Lord, I Need You
Maher
vs. 1
Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the one that guides my heart
refrain:
Lord I need You
Oh I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense
My righteousness
Oh God how I need You
vs. 2
Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me
(refrain)
You’re my one defense
My righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense
My righteousness
Oh God how I need You
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
We trust anew, in your signs of love 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.
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
You’re Worthy of My Praise
Ruis
vs. 1
I will worship
(I will worship)
With all of my heart
(With all of my heart)
I will praise You
(I will praise you)
With all of my strength
(With all my strength)
I will seek You
(I will seek You)
All of my days
(All of my days)
And I will follow
(I will follow)
All of Your ways
(Follow all Your ways)
refrain:
I will give You all my worship
I will give You all my praise
You alone I long to worship
You alone are worthy of my praise
vs. 2
I will bow down
(I will bow down)
Hail You as King
(Hail You as King)
I will serve You
(I will serve You)
Give You ev’rything
(Give You ev’rything)
I will lift up
(I will lift up)
My eyes to Your throne
(My eyes to Your throne)
I will trust You
(I will trust You)
I will trust You alone
(I’ll trust You alone)
(refrain twice)
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 anew, every sign of God’s love, in the 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!
Going Anew in Grace
My Life Is in You Lord
Gardner
vs. 1
Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner’s restless heart
You lead us by still waters into mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
So remember Your people remember Your children
Remember your promise oh God
refrain 1:
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
bridge:
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember your promise oh God
refrain 2:
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough
Heaven reaches out to us
Your grace is enough for me
God I see
Your grace is enough
I’m covered in Your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me
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Today, Sunday, October 15th, we celebrate The Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost! “Signs Of Love … Answering The Invitation!” Today, Sunday, October 15th, our Faith Quest Sunday School ministry meets!
Join us next Sunday, October 22nd, as we celebrate The Twenty-First Sunday After Pentecost! “Signs Of Love … All Is God’s!” Next Sunday, October 22nd, our Faith Quest Sunday School ministry does not meet!
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 as you exit the building.
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 God’s Signs Of Love – written based on Psalm 145. “Softly And Tenderly,” © 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. “Blessed Be Your Name” © 2002 Thankyou Music, CCLI #3798438 “Softly And Tenderly,” Words and Music Public Domain “Jesus Loves Me” © Words and Music Public Domain, CCLI #4771887 “Listen, God Is Calling” © 1993 Augsburg Fortress, OL #05497 “Lord, I Need You” © 2011 sixsteps Music, CCLI #5925687 “You’re Worthy of My Praise” © 1986 Maranatha Praise, Inc./Shade Tree Music CCLI #487976 “Your Grace Is Enough” © 2003 Thankyou Music CCLI #4477026 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.