The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost - Online Worship - September 8, 2024
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Sunday Worship - The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost
”God is Who God is”
August 4, 2024, 9:30AM
Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!
It is never too late to register for Faith Quest!
All are welcome, encouraged to visit the Prayer Cross as moved to do so.
Gathering In Joy & Grace
I Will Celebrate
Baloche
I will celebrate
Sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord
A new song
I will celebrate
Sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord
A new song
With my heart
Rejoicing within
With my mind
Focused on Him
With my hands
Raised to the heavens
All I am
Worshiping Him
I will celebrate
Sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord
A new song
I will celebrate
Sing unto the Lord
Sing to the Lord
A new song
Litany Celebrating and Proclaiming All God Is
BASED ON PSALM 146
Today we celebrate anew, God is Who God is; Jesus goes out of his way to grace us and to save us, so we worship, in the name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit.
Amen. Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live. I will sing praises to my God all my life long.
People of God: Happy are those whose help is in the Lord our God. Let us take a moment of silence to confess our sins and those times we have gone out of God’s way, putting our trust in earthly things and mere mortals in whom there is no hope.
(silence for reflection)
Friends in Christ: Today believe anew, God is Who God is; God forever goes out of his way in the grace of these words: Jesus saves; Jesus forgives you all your sins. Trust the Lord sets you free. Be still! Celebrate! The Holy One is here!
Song Anew in Grace
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
Praise the Lord, O my soul! God is who God is! The Lord comes to us. Jesus goes out of his way to forever be faithful, to execute justice, to feed the hungry, to renew our hope.
Friends of Jesus: The One who goes out of his way to lift us up when we fall, is Who He is, to watch over us and to welcome us when we feel like strangers. Be still! Celebrate! The power of the Lord is moving in this, and every place!
Song Anew in Grace
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, we thank you and praise you; you are who you are. You are tireless, persistent, faithful. You forever go out of your way to lift us up, to welcome us, for us to live in hope and new life. By your Spirit; give us anew the gift of faith. Restore us, one and all; move each of us to go out of our way, to make you and our neighbors first in our lives once again. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Faith Quest Sunday School will follow the Blessing of the 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, paraprofessionals, nurses, bus drivers, aides, food service employees, custodians, coaches, staff, please raise your hand or stand up as you wish. 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, as Sunday School begins again today, 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, paraprofessionals, 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.
The Old Testament
ISAIAH 35:4–7A
Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. God will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. God will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.
(New Revised Standard Version)
The New Testament
JAMES 2:1–10, 14–17
My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you? You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. ...What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.
(New Revised Standard Version)
Song of Grace Anew
Children of The Heavenly Father
Sandell, Berga
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
MARK 7:24–37
From there, Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that you may go – the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone. Then Jesus returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. Jesus took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, Jesus sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
(New Revised Standard Version)
Stating Our Faith in God
BASED ON ROMANS 8:31–39
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.
Song of Life & Grace Anew
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
Ylvisaker
I was there to hear your borning cry
I’ll be there when you are old
I rejoiced the day you were baptized
To see your life unfold
The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism For Parker Shay Zimmerman
Stating Our Faith In God “The Apostles’ Creed”
Do you believe in God The Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in Jesus Christ, The Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God The Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Welcoming The Newly Baptized
Through Holy Baptism, God has made Parker Shay a new sister member of the priesthood we all share in Christ Jesus, that we may proclaim the praise of God and bear his creative and redeeming word to all the world.
We welcome you into the Lord’s family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, a child of the same heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God. Amen.
Song of Life & Grace Anew
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
Ylvisaker
I was there to hear your borning cry
I’ll be there when you are old
I rejoiced the day you were baptized
To see your life unfold
God Is Who God Is, Going Out Of His Way!
ISAIAH 35:4-7A; JAMES 2:1-10,14-17; MARK 7:24-37
Most of us do not like going out of our way for anything. We have demands on our time. We barely get where we need to go. We usually look for short cuts, ways to cut corners, rather than willing to go out of our way for either a person or a purpose. Today in our readings, we hear the call as followers of Christ to go out of our way. James reminds us, `faith without works is dead.' In Mark's Gospel, a woman goes out of her way to make herself known to Jesus, and in the end it is her faith that helps her go out of the world's way of doing things. Other followers go out of their way to bring a deaf man to Jesus. As a new fall season of worship begins, be blessed anew, for God is who God is, forever going out of his way to renew us, to call us forth, to save us, to grace us, in Jesus Christ!
1. As we hear of Jesus going out of his way to serve the needs of others, we hear once again, God is who God is, blessing us to go out of our way in the name of Jesus Christ.
Mark 7:24, 31
A. Unfortunately, as humans, we often go out of God's way.
James 2:1-10,14-17; Mark 7:34-35
B. James calls us to go out of our way, because `faith without works is dead.'
James 2:14-17
C. The woman in Mark's Gospel goes out of the way of most.
Mark 7:25-28
D. Faith, like that of the woman in Mark's Gospel, will help us go out of the way we usually do things, out of the way of the world.
Isaiah 35:4,7a; James 2:3-4,8-9,17; Mark 7:26-30,32-33,36-37
i. Faith will help us go out of our way to welcome others.
ii. Faith will help us go out of our way to include one and all.
iii. Faith will help us stay strong and persistent as we go out of our way for Jesus.
2. Thanks be to God; God is who God is, and it is Jesus who goes out of his way, for each person and for God's purpose, time and time again. Jesus truly serves the needs of others, reveals and proclaims all God is, and saves us, one and all!
Isaiah 35:4; Mark 7:24,28-29,31-32,37
A. God in Jesus welcomes one and all! This text speaks more harshly to those on the inside than to those on the outside. Jesus came to the Jews, and they are not accepting of Christ as the Messiah. We are to welcome Jesus, and to welcome others.
B. God in Jesus saw though we were made in God's own image, we were obviously different from him and his perfection. Still, Jesus went to the cross to include us, to include one and all!
C. Let us trust God in Jesus Christ is the most persistent of all! The cross is God's persistent `yes' to the world's persistent `no.'
D. Trust whatever you need, God is who God is! God's grace is proclaimed in Jesus, who will go out of his way for you, time and time again!
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 Faith & Grace
Better Is One Day
Redman
vs. 1
How lovely is
Your dwelling place
O Lord almighty
My soul doth long
And even faints for You
For here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence
I sing beneath
The shadow of Your wings
refrain:
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere
(repeat refrain)
Than thousands elsewhere
...as we pray to you, Jesus, ...
Bless us anew, with all that is, in your Spirit 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.
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)
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 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!
Going Anew in Light & Grace
This Little Light of Mine
African American Spiritual
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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Today, Sunday, September 8, we begin our September worship theme, “Celebrating All God Is, In The Grace Of Jesus Christ!” and we celebrate The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost “God Is Who God Is: Going Out Of His Way!” Faith Quest Sunday School resumes today, Sunday, September 8! Today we also celebrate, “Blessing Of The Backpacks!”
Through The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism, today we welcome Parker Shay Zimmerman into the Christian family. Parker is the daughter of Chris and Jeni, and the sister of Lucy. We pray God’s blessings on Parker every day as she walks in the light and promise of Jesus Christ!
Join us next Sunday, September 15, as we celebrate The Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost “God Is Who God Is!” Faith Quest Sunday School meets next Sunday!
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 Celebrating And Proclaiming All God Is – written based on Psalm 146. “Children Of The Heavenly Father,” “This Little Light Of Mine,” © 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 “I Will Celebrate” © 1990, & this arr. 1991 Maranatha! Music. CCLI #443123 “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 “Better Is One Day” © 1995 Thankyou Music CCLI #1097451 “This Is The Day,” © 2011 1980 Scripture In Song CCLI #32754 “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” © 2006 sixsteps Music CCLI #4768151 All rights reserved. All songs used with permission. CCLI License #1380826 & OneLicense #A-724016.