September 24, 2023 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost – Gospel Sunday
8:00 a.m. Contemplative Communion in the Chapel
9:30 a.m. Gospel Service in the Chapel and on Facebook Live
Ken’s song selection for this week:
9:30 a.m. Gospel Service in the Chapel and on Facebook Live
Holy Communion will be part of this service. Here at Gethsemane we practice open communion, meaning all who believe in the power of Jesus Christ to bring salvation are welcome to join in. In our Lutheran understanding, both sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—are best conducted among the gathered assembly. If you are present on this live-stream, you are present in our assembly. The body of Christ is not limited by place or time, so even if you are on the replay of this service, you are part of our assembly. Any bread and any wine or grape juice will do. If you are celebrating as a family or group, please feel free to break the bread into the right number of portions or have a separate piece for each person. Same with the cup. You may have one cup for all or each member gathered uses a separate cup. We believe the Christ is fully present in both Word and Sacrament, in both the bread and the wine/grape juice so if you only have one or the other, or even if you refrain from communion, you are not missing out on the grace of God. We understand both the Word and Sacraments as the means of grace. Remember it is not the type of bread or wine, nor is it the quantity, but it is your faith in taking the elements that is the window for the Holy Spirit to enter your life.
Welcome
“Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy” ELW #762
Refrain
Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy is our God,
God, the Lord of earth and heaven.
Holy, holy is our God.
Holy, holy, holy, holy,
holy, holy is our God,
God, the Lord of all of hist’ry.
Holy, holy is our God.
Who accompanies our people,
who lives within our struggles,
of all the earth and heaven
the one and only Lord.
Blest are they who in the Lord’s name
announce the holy gospel,
proclaiming the good news
that our liberation comes. Refrain
Text: Guillermo Cuéllar, b. 1955; tr. Linda McCrae
Text © 1993, 1994 GIA Publications Inc. 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Oh, Sing to the Lord” ELW #822 vss 1, 2, 4
1 Oh, sing to the Lord, oh, sing God a new song.
Oh, sing to the Lord, oh, sing God a new song.
Oh, sing to the Lord, oh, sing God a new song.
Oh, sing to our God, oh, sing to our God.
2 For God is the Lord, and God has done wonders.
For God is the Lord, and God has done wonders.
For God is the Lord, and God has done wonders.
Oh, sing to our God, oh, sing to our God.
4 Oh, shout to our God, who gave us the Spirit.
Oh, shout to our God, who gave us the Spirit.
Oh, shout to our God, who gave us the Spirit.
Oh, sing to our God, oh, sing to our God.
Text: Brazilian folk song; tr. Gerhard M. Cartford, b. 1923, Spanish and English
Spanish and English text © Gerhard Cartford, admin. Augsburg Fortress.
Theme Prayer
“You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore” ELW #817
1 You have come down to the lakeshore
seeking neither the wise nor the wealthy,
but only asking for me to follow.
Refrain
Sweet Lord, you have looked into my eyes;
kindly smiling, you’ve called out my name.
On the sand I have abandoned my small boat;
now with you, I will seek other seas.
2 You know full well what I have, Lord:
neither treasure nor weapons for conquest,
just these my fish nets and will for working. Refrain
3 You need my hands, my exhaustion,
working love for the rest of the weary–
a love that’s willing to go on loving. Refrain
4 You who have fished other waters;
you, the longing of souls that are yearning:
O loving Friend, you have come to call me. Refrain
Text: Cesáreo Gabaráin, 1936-1991; tr. Madeleine Forell Marshall, b. 1946
Prayer Quilt Dedication
Choir Anthem “We Are One, Lord”
Children’s Message
Message with Scripture: Exodus 16:2-8a, 13-15 Pastor Karla
“The People Walk” ELW #706
Refrain
The people walk throughout the world together
and cry out, “Come, O Lord”;
the people who long to claim the promise,
God’s liberating Word.
1 The poor ones of the world await the dawn of hope,
when justice will shine and make oppression flee.
The empty hands of all are raised to you, Lord God:
oh, set us free! Refrain
2 You broke the bonds of sin, untied the captive’s hands,
released us from fear and slav’ry to the law.
We lift our hands in hope, we put our trust in you,
O God of love. Refrain
3 The lifeblood of the world is shed in mindless war;
and fam’lies desire a home where conflicts cease.
With all the world we lift our hands in hope to you,
O God of peace. Refrain
Text: Juan A. Espinosa, b. 1940; tr. Martin A. Seltz, b. 1951
Text © 1972, 1998 Juan A. Espinosa. Published by OCP Publications. 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Prayers of the People
Sung response: “Lord, Be Glorified” ELW #744 (modified)
In your church, Lord, be glorified, be glorified
In your world, Lord, be glorified today.
Text: Bob Kilpatrick, b. 1952
Text © 1978 Bob Kilpatrick Music, assigned 1998 to The Lorenz Corporation. All rights reserved.
Offering our Gifts for the Mission and Ministry of God’s Church
The Word has been spoken. Now, may it stir in our hearts.
Communion
All: In the night in which he was betrayed, Jesus took bread and gave thanks; broke it, (Break the Bread if appropriate) 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.
One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…
All: 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.
Distribution
Post Communion Blessing
Community Announcements
Blessing
“Take My Life, That I May Be” ELW #583
Refrain
Take my life, that I may be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
1 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. Refrain
2 Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect and use
ev’ry pow’r as thou shalt choose. Refrain
3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only for my King;
take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee. Refrain
4 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. Refrain
Text: Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879, adap.; Spanish text: Vicente Mendoza, 1875-1955
Send Off
Reader: The Spirit is moving.
All: the Spirit is moving, indeed!
Reader: So go in peace
All: To explore the Faith
Reader: Live in peace
All: To express our faith to others
Reader: Share the peace
All: By inviting others to join us on this journey.
All: THE SPIRIT IS MOVING SO LET’S GO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS. THANKS BE TO GOD.
Reading synopsis from Sundays and Seasons. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.
First Reading: Exodus 16:2-8a, 13-15
Faced with hunger in the wilderness, the Israelites longed for life back in Egypt and wished they had never left. Then God miraculously and graciously gave them quails and manna to eat.
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.
Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus tells a parable about God’s generosity, challenging the common assumption that God rewards people according to what they have earned or deserve.