W E L C O M E . . . !
Please join Immanuel Lutheran’s Worship Service on Sunday, September 24, 2023 at 10:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time (US and Canada). Pr. Meg Brogan will lead our Holy Communion Service both in Sanctuary and on Zoom this morning. We are ever thankful to her for her service while Pr. Crystal is off. A small Coffee Hour will follow in the Helen Room and on-line immediately after the service.
Join us…! All are welcome.
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WORDS OF WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
MUSICAL MEDITATION
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God,
who greets us in this and every season,
whose word never fails,
whose promise is sure.
Amen.
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of our neighbors.
Merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned.
We have hurt our community.
We have squandered your blessings.
We have hoarded your bounty.
In the name of Jesus,
forgive us and grant us your mercy.
Silence is kept for reflection.
Righteous God,
we confess that we have sinned.
We have failed to be honest.
We have lacked the courage to speak.
We have spoken falsely.
In the name of Jesus,
forgive us and grant us your mercy.
Silence is kept for reflection.
God is a cup of cold water when we thirst.
God offers boundless grace when we fail.
Receive the gift of God’s mercy:
you are freed and forgiven
in the name of ☩ Jesus Christ.
Amen
GATHERING HYMN: #406 Take My Life That I May Be
- Take my life, that I may be consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
- Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.
- Take my voice and let me sing always, only, for my King;
take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee.
- Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect and use ev’ry pow’r as thou shall choose.
- Take my will and make it thine, it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is thine own, it shall be thy royal throne.
- Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure store;
take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.
Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, alt.
GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE (chanted responsively)
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
CANTICLE OF PRAISE (sung)
Cantor
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth.
Congregation
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
O Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
PRAYER OF THE DAY (read together)
Almighty and eternal God, you show perpetual lovingkindness to us your servants. Because we cannot rely on our own abilities, grant us your merciful judgment, and train us to embody the generosity of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
All may be seated
WORD
FIRST READING: Jonah 3:10–4:11
After Jonah’s short sermon the Ninevites all repented and God decided to spare the city. Jonah objected and became even more angry when God ordered a worm to destroy a plant that was providing shade. The book ends with a question that challenges any who are not ready to forgive: You, Jonah, are all worked up about a bush, but shouldn’t I be concerned about a hundred and twenty thousand Ninevites?
10When God saw what [the people of Ninevah] did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
4:1But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. 2He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. 3And now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4And the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city.
6The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. 7But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.”
9But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” 10Then the Lord said, “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
PSALM: Psalm 145:1-8 (chanted responsively)
1I will exalt you, my | God and king,
and bless your name forev- | er and ever.
2Every day | will I bless you
and praise your name forev- | er and ever.
3Great is the Lord and greatly | to be praised!
There is no end | to your greatness.
4One generation shall praise your works | to another
and shall de- | clare your power.
5I will speak of the glorious splendor | of your majesty
and all your | marvelous works.
6They shall tell of the might of your | wondrous acts,
and I will re- | count your greatness.
7They shall publish the remembrance of | your great goodness;
they shall sing joyfully | of your righteousness.
8The Lord is gracious and full | of compassion,
slow to anger and abounding in | steadfast love.
SECOND READING: Philippians 1:21-30
Paul writes to the Philippians from prison. Though he is uncertain about the outcome of his imprisonment, he is committed to the ministry of the gospel and calls on the Philippians to live lives that reflect and enhance the gospel mission.
21For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.
27Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, 28and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well—30since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (sung)
Alleluia. Lord, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia.
GOSPEL: Matthew 20:1-16
Glory to you, O Lord. (sung)
Jesus tells a parable about God’s generosity, challenging the common assumption that God rewards people according to what they have earned or deserve.
[Jesus said to the disciples:] 1“The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2After agreeing with the laborers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. 3When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the marketplace; 4and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ So they went. 5When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. 6And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, ‘Why are you standing here idle all day?’ 7They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard.’ 8When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.’ 9When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. 10Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. 11And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, 12saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? 14Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. 15Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ 16So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”
The gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ. (sung)
SERMON
APOSTLES’ CREED
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, 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, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
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.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Remembering the caring and generous works of God, we pray for the church, creation, and the needs of our neighbors.
A brief silence.
God who is gracious and merciful, teach your church to invite and welcome all. Lead us to be grateful for the blessing of community. Challenge your church to choose equity and compassion over judgment. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who sends the wind and the sun, you know every worm and bush by name. Help us remember that even the humblest parts of creation are precious to you. Show us how best to care for the earth and its creatures. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who is ready to relent from punishing, impart your compassionate wisdom to legislators, judges, members of the military, and law enforcement. Give them courage to serve their communities in times of uncertainty, stress, or exhaustion. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who saves, direct your people who are tempted by evil ways. Protect your children from calamity, and help the people of Libya and Morrocco recover from disasters. Strengthen all who are incarcerated. Encourage all who are in despair or pain of any kind. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
God who is slow to anger, may we boast about the goodness of Jesus with the confidence of Paul in prison. Inspire us to find abundance in whatever vocation we are called to in the world and in service to our congregation. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Here other prayers & petitions may be offered either silently or aloud.
God who abounds in steadfast love, we give thanks for the saints called to the kingdom of heaven. United with them in spirit, hold us firm as we labor in this life and look to the life to come. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Remember us according to your steadfast love as we offer these and the prayers of our heart, trusting in your compassion made known through Jesus Christ.
Amen.
PEACE
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And also with you
OFFERTORY
Offertory Sentence
Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God.
Offertory Hymn (sung)
Let the vineyards be fruitful, Lord, and fill to the brim our cup of blessing.
Gather a harvest from the seeds that were sown, that we may be fed with the bread of life.
Gather the hopes and the dreams of all; unite them with the prayers we offer.
Grace our table with your presence, and give us a foretaste of the feast to come.
Offertory Prayer
God of mercy and grace, the eyes of all wait upon you, and you open your hand in blessing. Fill us with good things at your table, that we may come to the help of all in need, through Jesus Christ, our redeemer and Lord. Amen.
COMMUNION
Today, if you are receiving communion at home, please have bread and wine available. After the Prayer of Institution and Lord’s Prayer, Rev. Brogan will invite us to partake of the body and blood of Christ.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The Proper Preface: It is indeed right and salutary…
SANCTUS (sung)
Holy, holy, holy Lord.
Lord God of power and might:
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer of Institution
LORD’S PRAYER
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, OR. Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be your name, hallowed be thy name,
your kingdom come thy kingdom come,
your will be done, thy will be done,
on earth as in heaven. on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Give us this day our daily bread;
Forgive us our sins and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those as we forgive those
who sin against us. who trespass against us;
Save us from the time of trial and lead us not into temptation,
and deliver us from evil. but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, For thine is the kingdom,
and the glory are yours and the power, and the glory,
now and forever. Amen forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
All people are called to Christ’s table.
Come, eat what is good.
Lamb of God (sung)
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant us peace, grant us peace.
Post Communion Prayer
O God, we give you thanks that you have set before us this feast, the body and blood of your Son. By your Spirit strengthen us to serve all in need and to give ourselves away as bread for the hungry, through Jesus. Amen.
BLESSING
The God who calls across the cosmos and speaks in the smallest seed ☩ bless, keep, and sustain you now and to the end of the age. Amen.
SENDING HYMN: #487 Let Us Ever Walk with Jesus
- Let us ever walk with Jesus, follow his example pure,
through a world that would deceive us and to sin our spirits lure.
Onward in his footsteps treading, pilgrims here, our home above,
full of faith and hope and love, let us do our Father’s bidding.
Faithful Lord, with me abide; I shall follow where you guide.
- Let us suffer here with Jesus, and with patience bear our cross.
Joy will follow all our sadness; where he is there is no loss.
Though today we sow no laughter, we shall reap celestial joy:
all discomforts that annoy shall give way to mirth hereafter.
Jesus, here I share your woe; help me there your joy to know.
- Let us gladly die with Jesus. Since by death he conquered death,
he will free us from destruction, give to us immortal breath.
Let us mortify all passion that would lead us into sin;
then by grace we all may win untold fruits of his creation.
Jesus, unto you I die, there to live with you on high.
- Let us also live with Jesus. He has risen from the dead
that to life we may awaken. Jesus, since you are our head,
we are your own living members; where you live, there we shall be
in your presence constantly, living there with you forever.
Jesus, if I faithful be, life eternal grant to me.
Text: Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978 © 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Share the harvest.
Thanks be to God.
POSTLUDE
