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, 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 of the household use 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. 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

 

Gathering Song                      “Many and Great, O God”                              ELW #837

 

1    Many and great, O God, are your works,

maker of earth and sky.

Your hands have set the heavens with stars;

your fingers spread the mountains and plains.

Lo, at your word the waters were formed;

deep seas obey your voice.

2    Grant unto us communion with you,

O Star-abiding One.

Come unto us and dwell with us;

with you are found the gifts of life.

Bless us with life that has no end,

eternal life with you.

Text: Joseph R. Renville, 1779-1846; para. Philip Frazier, 1892-1964, alt.

 

Receiving Forgiveness

Blessed be the holy Trinity,☩ one God,

whose steadfast love endures forever.

Let us remember it is so.

Hear the good news!

God does not deal with us according to our sins

but delights in granting pardon and mercy.

In the name of ☩ Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven.

We are free to love as God loves.

And so we are encouraged as we confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Merciful God,

we confess that we have not followed your path

but have chosen our own way.

Instead of putting others before ourselves,

we long to take the best seats at the table.

When met by those in need,

we have too often passed by on the other side.

Set us again on the path of life.

Save us from ourselves

and free us to love our neighbors.

Amen.

 

Greeting

One: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

All: And also with you.

Prayer of the Day

One: We join in prayer…

All: Almighty God, you sent your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of your church. Open our hearts to the riches of your grace, that we may be ready to receive you wherever you appear, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Hymn of Praise                      “Have No Fear, Little Flock”                       ELW #764

1    Have no fear, little flock;

have no fear, little flock,

for the Father has chosen

to give you the kingdom;

have no fear, little flock!

2    Have good cheer, little flock;

have good cheer, little flock,

for the Father will keep you

in his love forever;

have good cheer, little flock!

3    Praise the Lord high above;

praise the Lord high above,

for he stoops down to heal you,

uplift and restore you;

praise the Lord high above!

4    Thankful hearts raise to God;

thankful hearts raise to God,

for he stays close beside you,

in all things works with you;

thankful hearts raise to God!

Text: Luke 12:32, st. 1; Marjorie Jilson, b. 1931, sts. 2-4

Text © 1973 Concordia Publishing House

 

Children’s Message

First Reading: Genesis 15:1-6

God promises childless and aging Abram that a child of his own will be his heir and that his descendants will number as many as the stars. Abram trusts God’s promise, and through this faith he is considered righteous.

 

Second Reading: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

Abraham and Sarah exemplify the vision of faith that people of God enact in every age. Their hope and trust in God’s promise allowed them to face an unknown future and to receive the promise of God.

 

Gospel: Luke 12:32-40

Jesus encourages disciples to invest their hearts and live fully into God’s reign. Instead of facing life with fear, those who know God’s generosity are always ready to receive from God and to give to others.

Sermon                                                                                                          Pastor Karla

Hymn of the Day                   “All Who Hunger, Gather Gladly”                   ELW #461

 

1    All who hunger gather gladly;

holy manna is our bread.

Come from wilderness and wand’ring.

Here in truth we will be fed.

You that yearn for days of fullness,

all around us is our food.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

2    All who hunger, never strangers;

seeker, be a welcome guest.

Come from restlessness and roaming.

Here in joy we keep the feast.

We that once were lost and scattered

in communion’s love have stood.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

3    All who hunger, sing together,

Jesus Christ is living bread.

Come from loneliness and longing.

Here in peace we have been fed.

Blest are those who from this table

live their days in gratitude.

Taste and see the grace eternal.

Taste and see that God is good.

Text: Sylvia G. Dunstan, 1955-1993

Text © 1991 GIA Publications, Inc., 7404 S. Mason Ave., Chicago, IL 60638. www.giamusic.com. 800.442.3358. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

 

Prayers of the People

Let your lovingkindness be upon us,

as we place our hope in you. (Ps. 33:22)

 

Offering our Gifts for the Mission and Ministry of God’s Church

We have prayed. We have sung.  We have heard the Word. Now, being thankful for the ministry we are called to do, we are invited to offer ourselves; our time, talents and treasure in faithful witness of the good things God has done for us and in confidence that our worship extends beyond this place and time. Your financial contributions are gratefully accepted to further the life and ministry of Gethsemane Lutheran. Thank you. 

 

Eucharistic Prayer and Words of Institution

One: And now, join me in praying as our Lord Jesus taught us…

All: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. 

Amen.

Communion

 

Communion Blessing

 

Community Announcements

 

Blessing

 

Sending Song                             “Blessed Assurance”                                 ELW #638

1    Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Refrain

      This is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior, all the day long:

this is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior all the day long.

2    Perfect submission, perfect delight,

visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

angels descending bring from above

echoes of mercy, whispers of love.  Refrain

 

3    Perfect submission, all is at rest;

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

watching and waiting, looking above,

filled with his goodness, lost in his love.  Refrain

Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915

 

Sending

One: Alleluia! Christ is risen.

All: Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

One: So go in peace—

All: To explore the Faith.

One: Live in peace—

All: To express our faith to others.

One: Share the peace—

All: By inviting others to join us on this journey.

All: LET’S GO LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS. THANKS BE TO GOD.  

 

Receiving Forgiveness altered, reading synopsis, and Prayer of the Day from Sundays & Seasons, © 2021 Augsburg. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Please visit our Web site at www.augsburgfortress.org. All music is used with permission under CCLI #3225965.